The Olana Partnership
Education Assistant (Full-Time)

Department: Education
Reports to: Education Manager
FLSA Status: Full time, Non Exempt

Position Description

The Education Assistant is primarily responsible for assisting in the coordination and facilitation of educational programs for school and family audiences (K-12 onsite and virtual field trips, family programs and tours) and the public (events, public programs, virtual webinars, and classes). The Education Assistant helps the Education Manager and Director of Education with program administration including but not limited to coordinating event registration, marketing, processing payments, and other program logistics. The Education Assistant will serve a key role in facilitating K-12 school visits, family programs, and community engagement efforts. As a member of the educational programming staff, the Education Assistant works to support programs and events that attract a diverse range of participants of all ages, backgrounds, and interests.

The Olana Partnership (TOP) is the non-profit cooperative partner of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at Olana State Historic Site. TOP’s mission is to inspire the public by preserving and interpreting Frederic Church’s Olana. Comprised of a 250-acre designed landscape containing a Persian-inspired house and studio and a historic farm complex, Olana is a master work of American landscape art created over 40 years (1860-1900) by famed Hudson River School artist Frederic Church. TOP’s vision is to make Olana the most widely recognized artist’s home and studio in the world, and since our founding in 1971 we have worked closely with our New York State partners to make this vision a reality. Olana hosts more than 170,000 visitors annually and is a National Historic Landmark. TOP continuously introduces new educational programs to reflect our vision of Olana as a true teaching museum, offering diverse learning experiences like field trips, virtual webinars, workshops and classes, walking tours, family programs, and events.

Primary Duties

Leading field trips and other programs about Frederic Church’s Olana for a wide range of audiences including but not limited to K-12 school groups, families, and adults.

Facilitating and assisting with free programs for all audiences as part of TOP’s “Access for All” initiative and monthly free program days.

Preparing materials and education space for field trips, assisting with field trip requests, and contributing to field trip curriculum development.

Leading regular programs for diverse audiences included but not limited to Panorama art and nature summer youth program, Artmaking in the Afternoon, and Create & Cook.

Frequently participating in offsite opportunities to deepen community engagement such as farmer’s markets, school visits, library visits, and other community events.

Assisting the Education Manager and Director of Education and Public Programs with:

• general program administration and logistics,
• event set up and check-in,
• program and event registration,
• outreach activities as needed (such as organizing marketing and press release materials, managing outreach lists, organizing website content and revisions, and tracking attendee data),
• managing Education programming schedule and master calendars,
• maintaining Wagon House Education Center space and assisting with event cleanup,
• processing payments and checks,
• introducing speakers and programs and assisting with phone inquiries.

Works Tuesday-Saturday schedule, 37.5 hours per week; must be able to carry chairs and tables (around 30lbs), walk longer distances during outdoor programs, and work outside in all seasons.

Supervisory Duties

None

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated interest in art, art education, education, history, art history, or museum studies preferred.
• Spanish language and/or Bengali fluency is a plus; English fluency required.
• Prior experience teaching or relaying information to public audiences is required.
• Experience working with the public, excellent communication skills and enthusiasm for working with school-aged children is a must.
• An interest in accessibility and equity in museum and cultural spaces; documented commitment to DEI initiatives and accessible programming.
• An interest in fostering accessible and equitable experiences in museum or cultural spaces.
• An interest in researching content related to Frederic Church’s Olana to prepare for programs.
• A visitor-centric mindset and ability to support age-appropriate program facilitation.
• Outgoing and an ability to work with diverse audiences on and offsite.
• A reflective approach and ability to think creatively.
• Ability to work capably and collaboratively with partner organizations and The Olana Partnership staff.
• Ability to work independently and proactively while being a team player.
• Administrative experience and keen attention to detail required.
• Experience using Microsoft Office and Google software (Drive, Calendars, Currents, Docs) a plus.
• Ability to help with program and field trip set up by moving furniture/equipment and preparing materials.
• Enthusiastic demeanor and welcoming presence required.
• Ability to multi-task and work flexibility is required; a positive and unflappable demeanor is a bonus.
• Current driver’s license required.
• Red Cross First Aid Certification preferred.

Salary: $35,000-$45,000 commensurate with experience, including benefits (which equates to $17-$22 an hour)

To apply, please submit a resume, short cover letter, and a sample lesson plan demonstrating your past experiences working with youth audiences in an educational capacity to Carolyn Keogh at ckeogh@olana.org.

About Olana and The Olana Partnership: Olana is the greatest masterwork of Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900), the most famous American landscape artist of the mid-19th century and the most important artist’s home, studio, and designed landscape in the United States. Church designed Olana as a holistic environment integrating his advanced ideas about art, architecture, landscape design, and environmental conservation. Olana’s 250-acre artist-designed landscape with five miles of carriage roads and a Persian-inspired house at its summit embraces unrivaled panoramic views of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains and welcomes more than 170,000 visitors annually. The landscape is open for guided touring, and reservations are highly recommended. The landscape is open daily 8 AM-sunset.

Olana State Historic Site, administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, is a designated National Historic Landmark and one of the most visited sites in the state. The Olana Partnership is the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit cooperative partner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at Olana State Historic Site.