Wampanoag and Indigenous Digital Learning Coordinator

Position Summary

The Wampanoag & Indigenous Digital Learning Coordinator works with the Director of Education & Community Outreach and Assoc. Director for Indigenous Education to support education and outreach activities, initiatives, and projects that raise the profile of Wampanoag and Indigenous people, history, and cultural persistence in the Museum’s educational offerings. Working closely with the Education leadership and Director of Wampanoag Interpretation and Training, the Wampanoag & Indigenous Digital Learning Coordinator serves as project coordinator for key grant deliverables including developing, facilitating, and evaluating education programs, digital resources, and special events in response to increasing demand for nuanced and fact-based history told from Indigenous perspectives and in collaboration with Indigenous communities.

When not working on grant-related educational initiatives, the Wampanoag & Indigenous Digital Learning Coordinator will support in-person and virtual programming, developing and facilitating learning experiences for Plimoth Patuxet Museums (PPM) Summer Camps, homeschool families, scouts, and school groups at the Museum, in schools, and online. The Wampanoag & Indigenous Digital Learning Coordinator is a vibrant and energetic person with strong ties to an Indigenous community. They have passion and talent for innovating in informal educational settings and engaging guests of diverse ages and backgrounds, including museum donors, community members, and tribal stakeholders. This position will include occasional evening and weekend work. Housing may be provided for qualifying candidates.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This position is primarily responsible for coordinating the completion of three digital learning experiences focused on Indigenous history and culture aligned with the objectives laid out in the grant, History in a New Light. The incumbent will:

  • Coordinate the development of inclusive and accessible digital materials, lesson plans, programs, and experiences for learners of all ages.

  • Represent the Education department on interdepartmental work teams to realize key strategic grant initiatives with the goal of creating engaging, educational, and participatory guest experiences.

  • Work with the Digital Assets Manager to update the Museum’s website with corresponding educational materials and resources to facilitate and support the use of new materials in classrooms.

  • Collaborate on the development of teacher professional development opportunities to showcase new material.

  • Master state and national curriculum guidelines to provide feedback on classroom presentations to meet instructional goals.

  • Follow program outlines and use tangible creations and primary sources to teach specific subjects.

  • Stays current on training materials on 17th-century histories of Patuxet and Plymouth Colony.

  • Uses historical information in a manner appropriate to the age and understanding of the group and topic.

  • Works with the Institutional Giving Manager to complete administrative duties related to grant projects including tracking spending and hours, contacting grant partners, and completing expense reports.

  • Proactively initiates engaging and informative interactions with learners of all ages and backgrounds.

  • Learn and demonstrate mastery of all primary and secondary sources and audio files provided as training materials for varied types of education and performance.

  • Demonstrate an understanding of varied learning styles and the methods the Museum uses to share information in effective ways for each of these learning styles.

  • Practice proper care and use of all artifacts and tools including fire, training materials and equipment, as well as assigned uniforms and traditional clothing.

  • At all times, ensure the safety and comfort of all staff, guests, animals and Museum property.

  • Foster a spirit of collaboration and cooperation in working with all Museum colleagues, including interns, volunteers, Museum Guides, and tour guides.

  • Ensures a relevant, inclusive experience for all.

General Responsibilities

  • Support the Museum’s mission, vision, core values and customer service.

  • Provide a friendly and welcoming presence for all guests and coworkers throughout the museum.

  • Perform all duties with attention to professionalism at all times.

  • Ensure the continued success of PPM’s programs by being personally accountable.

  • Adhere to the policies of Plimoth Patuxet Museums as outlined in the Museum Employee manual and current job description.

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 essential functions.

  • Ability to work safely.

  • Reliability, dependability and punctuality.

  • Patience, imperturbability and personal accountability

  • Excellent interpersonal skills. A good sense of humor will help to keep everything in perspective.

  • Ability to follow directions.

  • Attention to detail.

  • Some degree of dexterity.

  • Capacity to analyze, synthesize and accurately discuss varied primary and secondary historical sources, both documentary and material.

  • Ability to share the Museum’s comprehensive themes and content in ways that inform and entertain guests.

  • Ability to work independently, without direct supervision.

  • Maintain a professional work attitude and act with the highest standards of respect and courtesy.

  • Must be able to read and interpret a variety of historical and educational sources. Within a reasonable period, the incumbent should demonstrate understanding of 17th-century Indigenous, colonial American, and European history and the spectrum of learning styles and be able to apply this knowledge in interactions with Museum guests.

  • Skilled at using Google Suite, Zoom and other computer applications

Education and Experience

  • Strong ties to a Wampanoag or Indigenous tribal community are preferred.

  • High school diploma or equivalent. Experience in a related field is preferred.

  • Interest and experience working with learners of all ages - particularly young youth - is essential.

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 walk, stand, and teach for up to 2 hours.

  • Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Work Environment

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

  • Most of the work involves addressing a group of learners in school environments, in virtual programs hosted on web platforms, and outside in the Museum’s historical exhibits where there are animals, dust, and smoke from hearth fires.

  • The working environment is generally favorable. Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc.

  • 20% of work is generally performed within an office environment with standard office equipment including computers and basic software such as Microsoft and Google Suite products.

Additional Requirements

The Museum is open 7 days a week April through the end of November. You must be available to work Saturdays, Sundays and some holidays, including Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving Day is an “All-Hands On” day.

Typical hours are 9:00am - 5:00pm, five days a week through the end of November. Flexibility in work hours and days off is required. This position will include working additional night/weekend hours or days as needed; these will be primarily in October & November. Whenever working on a holiday is necessary, a manager will inform employees at least one week in advance if they’re expected to work on a holiday.

The Museum may also schedule "all-hands on" days such as Indigenous People's Day/Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. Advance notice will be given for "all-hands on" days. Schedules may change based on weather forecast, and/or low attendance for any given day.

The Museum respects the religious, and cultural beliefs and practices of all employees. On request, The Museum will strive to make an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available, and does not create an undue hardship on the Museum.

Core Commitment

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 Experience

  • 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