Job Opening: Director of Educational Programs

Available: January 1st

The Manoa Heritage Center is a private non-profit organization that interprets its historic property and the history of Manoa Valley. The historic site consists of Kukaoo Heiau, a Native Hawaiian garden and the historic home, Kualii. The Center is a new and growing organization that seeks an intelligent, capable, and enthusiastic person to lead its further development. The Director of Educational Programs reports to the Board of Directors of the Manoa Heritage Center and works closely with founders Sam and Mary Cooke.

Job Summary: The Director of Educational Programs is responsible for the development of educational programs and for overseeing the day to day operations of the Manoa Heritage Center. The successful candidate understands the needs of a young and emerging organization and is able and willing to perform a wide variety of tasks. A clear understanding and appreciation of the significance of our historic site in the larger contexts of Hawaii’s history and in the community today are essential.

Reports to: Board of Directors

Supervises: Educational Program Assistant, docents, office and garden volunteers

Essential Job Functions: (including but not limited to)

• Manage day to day operations at Manoa Heritage Center

• Maintain and implement school and adult interpretive programs, special events.

• Recruit, train (including on-going training) and evaluate volunteer and paid guides

• Conduct school and adult tours when necessary

• Research, design, create and implement new school and adult interpretive programs and special events.

• Research, design, create and implement school curriculum material for classroom use.

• Meet with teachers and hold annual teacher workshop.

• Conduct further research on historic site and Manoa Valley to increase resource base.

• Write publicity materials including all press releases and brochures for the historic site.

• Write grant applications.

• Produce annual newsletter, annual fundraising letter, donor thank you letter and oversee mailings.

• Assist in planning and implementing annual donor party and other special events.

• Work with Native Hawaiian Garden Caretaker in maintaining Native Hawaiian Garden and planning improvements.

• Hire, train and evaluate staff and volunteers including the Educational Program Assistant, docents, office and garden volunteers.

• Work with Board of Directors to plan growth and expansion of historic site and programs.

Qualifications: (education, skills, experience)

• Bachelor’s Degree required (Master’s Degree preferred)

• Expertise in Hawaiian Cultural Studies, Education or Museum Education

• Three years experience in developing and managing educational programs for a cultural/historical resource such as a museum, historic site, nature center, etc

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Excellent research skills

• Ability to comprehend and interpret complex historical, cultural and scholarly material for school age and general audiences.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and ability to communicate to diverse audiences

• Demonstrated success with supervising, training and evaluating staff

• Knowledge of and sensitivity to Hawaiian culture

• Able to work in a complex, multi-cultural community

• Motivated self-starter with a hands-on work ethic

• Current knowledge of professional museum standards

• Patience and sensitivity to a new and growing organization

• Flexibility, adaptability and a sense of humor

• Computer skills - MS Word, Excel and Past Perfect (or other collections management database) and ability to learn new programs with ease.

Manoa Heritage Center

Please send resume, cover letter and two local references by mail or e-mail no later than December 15,2006 to:

Search Committee

Manoa Heritage Center

2859 Manoa Road

Honolulu, HI 96822

malamao@aloha.net

No phonecalls please.