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*
 

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 promotional materials; and support digital and print marketing campaigns that increase awareness, attendance, and community engagement.
• Develop, manage, and monitor program planning worksheets and budgets; track expenses, revenue, and financial performance; process payments and invoices; and provide budget updates and financial reports to support departmental planning and decision-making.
• Track and analyze program data, create quarterly reports for Museum leadership and development activities, present program outcomes and metrics at meetings as required, and support grant applications and reporting.
• Participate in and contribute to Guest Experience Division and select Museum meetings, including preparing and delivering presentations on program performance, community engagement, and departmental initiatives as needed.
• Contributes to a positive guest experience by greeting and addressing any questions when encountering guests as they navigate through the Museum and Sea Center.
• Supports the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for fellow staff, guests and the community.
• May perform other duties as needed.

Essential Requirements:

• Demonstrated success planning, coordinating, hosting, and facilitating public programs, community events, or educational experiences from concept through evaluation.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, including scheduling, logistics, budgets, timelines, registrations, and stakeholder communications.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with community partners, staff, volunteers, vendors, and the general public.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills, with the ability to confidently engage and speak to audiences of varying sizes, including large public events and community gatherings.
• Proven ability to serve as a host and primary point of contact for speakers, instructors, community partners, program participants, and Museum guests.
• Experience cultivating partnerships, conducting outreach, and representing an organization within the community to advance engagement and program goals.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and present program data, metrics, and outcomes through reports, presentations, and stakeholder meetings.
• Experience managing program budgets, tracking expenses and revenue, processing payments, and maintaining accurate financial records.
• Comfortable with occasional cash handling, payment processing, event check-in, and ticket scanning responsibilities.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to anticipate needs, solve problems, and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Even temperament and flexibility, with the ability to respond professionally to last-minute changes and evolving operational needs.
• Proven ability to provide exceptional customer service while fostering welcoming, inclusive, and engaging experiences for diverse audiences.
• Willingness and capacity to learn and independently facilitate a diverse portfolio of Museum programs and outreach initiatives, serving as an educator and Museum representative.
• Must be available to work approximately 20–28 hours per week, including one regularly scheduled weekend day, with occasional early morning, evening, and holiday shifts to support programs, events, and outreach activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Spanish fluency, written and oral, a plus.
• Familiarity with inquiry-based learning and experiential teaching techniques and practices.
• Comfortable conducting outreach with local organizations.
• Awareness of and interest in current events and developments in the local area, particularly around environmental and conservation science.

Work Environment:

• Significant computer, telephone, and administrative work, including data entry, report preparation, budget tracking, registration management, and frequent written and verbal communication.
• Regular work in a variety of environments, including offices, classrooms, exhibit halls, outdoor campus locations, community venues, and off-site outreach locations.
• Frequent interaction with the public and community partners, including facilitating programs and hosting events for small and large groups, with audiences of 100 or more participants.
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending, and movement between indoor and outdoor workspaces, with occasional lifting and carrying of program materials, supplies, and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Frequent collaboration with Museum staff, volunteers, presenters, instructors, community partners, and vendors in a dynamic, guest-focused environment.
• Occasional cash handling, payment processing, event check-in, and ticket scanning in support of Museum programs and public events.
• Works in a shared, open-office environment and must be able to balance independent work, team collaboration, and competing priorities.

The incumbent must be able to perform each requirement of the position as outlined in the job description. Essential Requirements are representative and are essential for satisfactory job performance. The Work Environment characteristics are representative of those that may be encountered while on the job. The Museum will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
 

*The pay range above represents the budgeted range for a new hire, encompassing the minimum and maximum rates. Placement within this range will depend on factors such as specific skills, qualifications, relevant years of experience, and alignment with the salaries of current employees in similar roles. In most cases, newly hired employees are placed below the midpoint of the range.