Description

Kentucky Aerospace Education Center (KAEC), Home of the Aviation Museum of Kentucky, has a mission to inspire, educate, and elevate the next generation to pursue careers in STEM, aerospace, and aviation, while inviting visitors to explore aviation's vast contributions to our economy and culture. KAEC seeks an Education Director to join our team at an exciting time of growth and opportunity. Visit aviationky.org to learn more.

The Education Director will develop, implement, and manage KAEC educational programming. This includes overseeing all educational initiatives, coordinating events, and enhancing engagement with the community, schools, and educational institutions. The Education Director will provide leadership to promote program growth, strengthen sustainability, and educate colleagues, students, and community members in the aviation and aerospace industries.

Requirements

Educational Programs:

• Program Development: Design, implement, and evaluate educational programs, including school tours, workshops, summer camps, and special events. Ensure programs are aligned with the museum's mission and educational goals.
• Curriculum Development: Design and continuously improve educational materials and curricula that meet state and national standards, with a focus on aerospace technology and aviation. Stay updated on educational trends and integrate new ideas into the curriculum.  
• Community Engagement: Recruit trained professionals and minority youth to participate in educational programs and museum activities. Build and maintain relationships with local schools, educational organizations, and community groups to promote museum programs and resources.

Administrative:

• Outreach and Collaboration: Representative of the institution at events, in the media, and through social media. Build and maintain partnerships with educational institutions, industry leaders (e.g., NASA, FAA), Kentucky Aviation Association, EKU, and FCPS.
• Grant Writing and Fundraising: Prepare grant applications to support educational initiatives. Manage grant-funded projects and ensure compliance with grant requirements.
• Develop clear and transparent messaging for potential donors, members, and supporters.
• Reporting: Provide reports to the Executive Director on program progress and quarterly reports to the KAEC Board of Directors. Ensure all educational initiatives are integrated into the organization’s broader goals and structure.
• Evaluation and Reporting: Monitor and assess the effectiveness of educational programs. Prepare reports on program outcomes and impact for internal and external stakeholders.

Operations:

• Collaboration: Work closely with museum staff, board, and volunteers to ensure educational programs are integrated with exhibitions and other museum activities.
• Event Coordination: Plan and execute educational events, seminars, and special interest classes. Collaborate with museum staff and external partners to ensure successful execution.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements outlined below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the role. This position requires strong organizational skills, the ability to multitask effectively, and the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Education and/or Experience:

•  Bachelor’s degree in education, science, or a related field
•  Master’s degree in education, science, or a related field preferred
•  At least three years of experience building, developing, and leading high-performing teams
• Five or more years of experience developing and implementing educational programs, preferably in a museum or informal learning environment
• Professional or academic background in aviation, aerospace, or a related field preferred

Additional Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to think and plan creatively and strategically.
• Self-motivated and highly organized, with strong analytical, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
• Experience developing and maintaining partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations, and other external stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage diverse audiences, including children, adults, mixed-age groups, researchers, and industry professionals.
• Experience managing budgets, including forecasting, monitoring, and tracking expenditures.
• Proven ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to balance competing priorities, respond effectively to immediate needs, and maintain focus on long-term objectives.
• Demonstrated passion for STEM education and informal science education.
• Professional, enthusiastic, and engaging, with the ability to create positive experiences for students and community members of all ages.
• Experience working in a museum, science center, educational institution, or other informal learning environment.
• Successful completion of a required background check is a condition of employment. 

Working Conditions:

This position operates in an energetic, non-profit, hands-on museum environment. This is an on-site position; remote work is not available due to the collaborative and public-facing nature of the role.

 Full-time (40 hr/wk) exempt position. Occasional weekend and evening work, as well as travel, are required.

 Salary and Benefits:

Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience. KAEC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and holidays), a retirement plan, and health insurance.

How to Apply:
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to the Executive Director at tchesser@aviationky.org.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All applicants must successfully complete a background check. KAEC is a drug- and alcohol-free workplace. In accordance with organizational policy, all employees are subject to initial and random drug testing.