Public Programs Coordinator

Museum Summary

Plimoth Patuxet Museums (PPM) is a living history museum of the 17th-century that provides engaging and experiential outdoor and indoor learning environments on its main campus, and at Mayflower II on Plymouth’s waterfront, and at the Plimoth Grist Mill. Our permanent exhibits tell the complex and interwoven stories of two distinct cultures - English and Wampanoag.

Operating on a remarkable property overlooking Cape Cod Bay, PPM brings the story of the United States’ early foundation to life for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year since its founding in 1947. The main exhibits are enhanced with an exciting array of special events, public programs, and workshops that offer a rich and diverse exploration of the 17th-century.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees.

Position Summary

The Public Programs Coordinator (PPC) supports the development, coordination, and delivery of dynamic, mission-driven public programming that advances the educational mission and strategic goals of Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Working collaboratively across departments, this role helps plan and implement a wide range of engaging experiences for diverse audiences, including on-site and off-site programs, workshops, guided tours, cinema events, virtual offerings, and large-scale museum events.

This position is funded in part by the grant initiative “Revolutionary Ideas Started Here: The 17th-Century Pursuit of Soul Liberty,” which seeks to reinterpret early New England history as foundational to American ideas of self-government, religious liberty, and cultural exchange between Indigenous and English communities. The project expands the Museum’s storytelling into the later 17th century through immersive exhibits, films, digital programs, and public history experiences centered on figures such as Roger Williams, Mary Williams, and Indigenous leaders. It highlights the complexity and contradictions of religious freedom and explores how these ideas were shaped through intercultural encounter and conflict.

In partnership with the Director of Guest Services and Group Programs and other internal and external collaborators, the PPC contributes to program development, coordinates logistics, and supports project timelines and event tracking systems. The role also assists in cultivating relationships with presenters, partners, and audiences, helping to expand and diversify participation in museum offerings.

Additionally, this position provides direct guest services support and contributes to a welcoming, inclusive, and high-quality visitor experience. The Coordinator assists in evaluating program effectiveness and applies feedback to strengthen future offerings.

This is a highly collaborative, public-facing role that requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, adaptability, and a passion for public history, storytelling, and audience engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • In all interactions with guests and coworkers, apply the PPM 5 customer service model to provide welcoming, compassionate, and inclusive experiences for all members of the Museum community, including staff and volunteers.
  • Collaborate across departments, including Public Programs, Marketing, Education & Public Engagement, and Guest Services, to support program development and delivery.
  • Draft engaging program descriptions and collaborate with the Director of Guest Services and Group Programs and the Marketing team on promotional efforts.
  • Create and manage Eventbrite listings for programs and events.
  • Create new public program offerings
  • Assist the Director of Guest Services and Group Programs with the planning and delivery of a wide range of public programs, including but not limited to large scale events such as the annual Heirloom Plant Sale and the Winter Fine Arts and Craft Fair, scholarly conferences and symposia, cinema events, on- and off-site workshops, guided tours, virtual programs, and pop-up programs that are included with museum admission, with an emphasis on initiatives supported by the Lilly Endowment Grant.
  • Research, identify, and cultivate relationships with presenters, collaborators, and performers, both internally and externally.
  • Create and conduct post-program surveys to better understand audience expectations and interests.
  • Develop program budgets for review and approval by the Director.
  • Perform administrative and clerical tasks as needed to support program success and customer service, including communicating with program registrants, completing expense reports, and responding to inquiries.
  • Support event execution, including set up, check-in, photography, and survey collection.
  • Support program technology needs, including the use of microphones, projectors, tvs.

Guest Services Support:

  • Support Guest Services operations as needed, including coverage during staff absences, vacations, and peak visitation periods.
  • Assist visitors in selecting appropriate ticket options and enhancing their overall experience.
  • Provide accurate and helpful information regarding museum memberships, dining options, directions, and general inquiries.
  • Communicate daily and seasonal programming information to guests.
  • Proactively anticipate and respond to a wide range of guest needs to ensure a high-quality visitor experience.

This description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of key responsibilities of the job as it is at present, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description may be reviewed by management at any time either to ensure that it relates to the job currently being performed, or to incorporate changes. Management reserves the right to change a job description; and if/when doing so will discuss with the employee so that any changes are understood by the employee.

Required Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • An engaging and energetic personality with strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and social backgrounds and learning styles
  • Reliability, dependability, and punctuality
  • Fluency in English
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively
  • Comfort working with basic audio/visual and event technology, with willingness to learn the setup of equipment such as microphones, projectors, and virtual meeting platforms.
  • Ability to respond to operational needs during live programs, including troubleshooting basic issues and adapting in real time as needed.
  • Familiarity with event planning logistics (or willingness to learn), including scheduling, coordinating details, and supporting on-site event execution.
  • Comfort using or learning event management and ticketing platforms (such as Eventbrite or similar systems).
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace including spreadsheets for tracking budgets and attendance
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Interest in public history, museum education, or cultural programming

Education and Experience

  • Associate’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
  • Valid driver's license

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Duties may include:

  • Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach, stoop, kneel and crouch during program setup and execution.
  • Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and or move objects up to 35 lbs.
  • Ability to push or pull lightweight carts or equipment as needed
  • Ability to stand and or walk for up to 2-4 hours at a time with breaks as needed

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

  • The workspace is primarily guest-facing with some office work. It is both indoors and outdoors.
  • The work may occur in a variety of locations.  Temperatures are dictated by the work location, and may take place outdoors in a wide variety of weather conditions.
  • Work may be performed in dusty and smoky environments, in poorly lit areas, near open fires, and in cramped and crowded places.
  • The noise level in the workplace varies from quiet to loud.

Additional Requirements

The Museum is open 7 days a week March through the end of November. You must be available to work Saturdays, Sundays and some holidays, including Thanksgiving Day. Typical hours during the Museum’s Open Season (March - November) are 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, five days a week through the end of November, and 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday from December through March. Flexibility in work hours and days off is required. Depending on the season, this position may include working additional night/weekend hours or days as needed.  

This position is full-time year-round, and the workweek schedule is Tuesday-Saturday with occasional evening work while the museum is open. The schedule may shift during the winter months when the Museum is closed to the public.

Position Type and Salary

  • Full-time, year-round
  • $22.00/hour

Core Commitments

Whether part-time or full-time, year-round or seasonal, all staff and volunteers at Plimoth Patuxet advance the Museum's educational mission and strategic goals. They uphold the Museum's core values and principles in their work and in all of their interactions with the public and with coworkers. This commitment helps to ensure that Plimoth’s reputation for excellence is maintained and that, as stewards of the Museum, we are helping to create a relevant and sustainable future for Plimoth Patuxet Museums. The core principles that guide us in our work are:

  • Safety and Comfort
  • Compassionate Customer Engagement
  • Professional Excellence
  • Personal Accountability
  • Advance a Culture of Philanthropy
  • Teamwork

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting a PDF file of your resume, and cover letter to apply@plimoth.org, or by submitting them by US mail to the following address:

Plimoth Patuxet Museums
Attn: Human Resources
137 Warren Avenue
Plymouth, MA 02360