Public Programs Specialist

Description

Title: Public Programs Specialist

Classification: Part-Time, non-exempt (20 - 28 hours per week)

Division: Guest Experience

Reports To: Director of Guest Experience

Wage Band: Coordinator/Assistant Level I

Compensation: $23.00 - $26.00 per hour
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Mission: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History inspires a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world.

Position Summary: The Public Programs Specialist supports the Guest Experience Division in the development, planning, coordination, and facilitation of educational public and community programs at the Museum campus and occasional off-site locations. As a highly public-facing role, this position serves as a welcoming representative of the Museum and regularly engages with guests, program participants, community partners, instructors, and volunteers. Responsibilities include developing and scheduling public and community programs, facilitating and hosting programs, supporting speakers and presenters, coordinating program logistics, processing payments, creating financial and data reports, and assisting with program setup and breakdown.

The Public Programs Specialist helps ensure programs are engaging, inclusive, and successfully delivered while fostering meaningful connections between the Museum and the diverse communities it serves.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Own the planning, scheduling, promotion, and execution of mission-aligned public and community programs, serving as the primary coordinator and host to ensure engaging, high-quality experiences that advance the Museum’s mission and strengthen community connections.
• Partner with the Director of Guest Experience to develop, implement, and continually refine a portfolio of science- and nature-based public programs. Lead the coordination and facilitation of on-site and off-site educational experiences, including exhibit-based programs, seasonal public offerings, outreach events, lectures, films, classes, field trips, and family festivals, often serving large audiences of 100 or more participants.
• Serve as the primary host and on-site point of contact for participants, presenters, instructors, and community partners; lead program activities and discussions, support speakers and presenters, and ensure programs are welcoming, engaging, inclusive, and delivered to the highest standards of guest experience.
• Oversee program setup and breakdown, maintain inventories of supplies and curriculum materials, and ensure programs are organized and prepared for successful delivery.
• Serve as the primary liaison for program logistics by proactively communicating with the Events Manager, Facilities team, presenters, and internal partners to coordinate space reservations, equipment requests, room setup, and other operational needs for successful program delivery.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and ambassador for community members, partner organizations, educators, civic leaders, and institutions interested in Museum programming. Cultivate and maintain relationships, lead planning discussions and collaborative decision-making processes, represent the Museum at community events and meetings, and identify opportunities for new educational programming and outreach.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships across departments to create cohesive programs that enhance one another and advance mutual objectives. Collaborate with departments across the Museum to plan and support annual events, on-site festivals, and other cross-functional initiatives.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the Marketing Division to communicate program details, timelines, audience information, and ticketing requirements; coordinate updates to web pages, event listings, registration and ticketing platforms, and…