Manager of Education - DC History Center

About the DC History Center

Established in 1894 and located at the Carnegie Library in Downtown, the DC History Center is a community-supported nonprofit organization, which deepens understanding of our city’s past to connect, empower, and inspire. For more information visit dchistory.org.

In fulfillment of its mission, the DC History Center aims to recruit and retain outstanding staff members who bring diverse viewpoints and experiences, relevant skills and expertise, and deep passion for DC and its history, to their work.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for K-12 strategy and planning and for executing K-12 education programs. The manager of education builds relationships with DC schools, administration, and teachers to encourage and facilitate use of DC History Center resources. They will also develop and deliver in-person and virtual educational programs that appeal to and support teachers, and connect with diverse student communities across the city. This includes willingness to go directly to teachers across the city, and managing and implementing the DC History Center’s primary K-12 initiatives: serving as the DC Affiliate for National History Day for 6th-12th graders; executing the annual Teach the District summer professional development program for 3rd-12th grade educators; and delivering field trips for 3rd-12th grades.

The manager of education reports to the deputy director. This role works in close collaboration with the other members of the content team (the librarian and the managers of collections, programs, and community engagement), who also report to the deputy director.

This position provides educator and student audiences with high-quality opportunities that deepen understanding of our city’s past, foster curiosity and lifelong learning, and encourage civic participation.

Primary Responsibilities (90%)

The manager of education will set the annual strategy for K-12 youth education programs, reflecting JEDI principles and aligning educational programs with Common Core and DC education standards to encourage teachers to incorporate local history in all grades. The manager of education will:

K-12 program strategy (10%)

• Shape the education budget and fulfill education-related grant and fundraising responsibilities.

• Build a community of educators who regularly use DC History Center educational resources, including membership

• Manage communication with K-12 teachers seeking DC History Center resources, including the education@ email account and the periodic Education Desk newsletter

• Represent the DC History Center in educational partnerships such as with Teaching for Change, State Board of Education, Office of the State Superintendent for Education, and DC Public School system

Deliver National History Day (50%) - Target grades: 6th-12th

• Serve as project manager for the year-round program as the DC History Center’s executes its five-year plan in its new role as DC affiliate for the National History Day program

• Manage administrative aspects of NHD programs including but not limited to: registration and scheduling; contest planning and execution; participation data tracking; and support for students and teachers

• Serve as point of contact for the NHD national office, local partner repositories, volunteer judges, DC educators, and DC students

• Serve as staff liaison for the volunteer NHD Advisory Board, maintaining and growing participation of members and volunteer judges representing the District’s diverse population

• Deliver teacher training throughout the year to expand the NHD participation of schools representing the District’s diverse student population

• Support educators as they run their class and/or school’s NHD winter contest, ahead of the spring DC History Day contest

• Serve as project manager for the spring DC History Day contest, hosted at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, ahead of the national contest each summer

• Maintain the DC NHD online resource guide and web presence

• Steward DC’s participation in the national competition onsite in College Park, MD each June

Deliver Teach the District (20%) - Target grades: 3rd-12th

• Manage the application and selection process for the DC History Center’s signature paid professional development program for local educators

• Determine the agenda in coordination with content team staff, and serve as lead staffer for the week-long summer program, held at the DC History Center and other local cultural heritage sites each July

• Manage the application and selection process for the summer Education Intern, who supports TTD, in collaboration with Howard University professors

• Manage touchpoints and opportunities for TTD participants throughout the year

• Maintain the Teach the District online resource guide

Deliver field trips and provide teaching resources (10%) - Target grades: 3rd-12th

• Collaborate with partner organizations such as Live It Learn It to design, schedule, and deliver 3rd grade exhibit-based field trips at the DC History Center

• Collaborate with the content team to design, schedule, and deliver exhibit-and-Kiplinger Research Library-based field trips for 6th-12th grades at the DC History Center

• Create and populate online educator resources, including the Clarice Smith Neighborhood Education program, aligned to DCPS social studies standards as approved in June 2023

General (10%)

• Actively participate in staff meetings, including monthly strategic planning sessions

• As needed, provide support in preparation and onsite execution of public programs and events

• Collaborate with the DC History Center team in setting organizational goals and priorities that support the fulfillment of Justice, Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity best practices

• Proactively pitch in and take initiative with other duties to fulfill our mission on a small team, as it makes sense with the overall job responsibilities and workload.

Qualifications

The manager of education will be an outstanding communicator, a detail-oriented and highly organized professional, and a flexible, collaborative team player. They will demonstrate initiative and a high level of self-direction and project management in ensuring seamless student-and-teacher programming from start to finish. Familiarity with, and enthusiasm for sharing the culture, history, and diversity of our city will be a strong plus.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree; and one or more of the following:

  • 2+ years relevant professional K-12 education experience

  • Master’s degree in education, history, museum studies, or related field with practical experience in K-12 education

• Strong interest in public history, with focus on local DC history

• Track record of successful project management

• Outstanding written communication and verbal communication skills

• Adept at handling multiple priorities and maintaining high productivity with accuracy and attention to detail

• Availability for some evening and weekend work required.

Desired

• Experience with National History Day program, as a student, teacher, administrator, or volunteer

Scheduling

The DC History Center, anchored in the Carnegie Library in Downtown, maintains a hybrid schedule, with a combination of onsite and remote work. This position requires onsite availability for staff meetings, field trip implementation, and teacher professional development programs, and willingness to go directly to teachers around the city. Occasional evening and weekend work hours required.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $67,000 – $70,000. Comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability insurance; and a 403(b) plan with employer match. Full-time employees receive vacation starting at three weeks and three paid personal days, in addition to paid sick leave and holidays. Our central Downtown location is easily accessible from all Metro lines, but on-site parking is not available.

Human Resources Philosophy

In keeping with our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement, the DC History Center aims to recruit and retain outstanding staff members who bring diverse viewpoints and experiences, relevant skills and expertise, and deep passion for DC and its history, to their work. The DC History Center determines and evaluates compensation and benefit packages, as well as all human resource policies, with a focus on equity, transparency, and fairness.

Applications and Inquiries

Please upload your resume and a tailored cover letter sharing more about yourself and your interest in the position. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The DC History Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks candidates from diverse backgrounds, including DC natives, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA communities, and people with diverse economic backgrounds. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified applicants with disabilities may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of any specific needs at the time of application.