Position Summary
The Director of Youth Education & Educator Resources is responsible for leading and growing ARI’s youth educational programming and educator engagement initiatives. This position focuses entirely on creating meaningful, hands-on, and research-driven educational experiences for children, youth, families, educators, schools, homeschool groups, scouts, camps, and community youth organizations.
This role develops educational curriculum, resources, field trips, workshops, camps, and immersive learning experiences that introduce young learners to archaeology, history, preservation, land stewardship, and the cultural heritage of the Ohio River Valley. The Director ensures that ARI’s youth programming is engaging, educational, accessible, mission-aligned, and developmentally appropriate for learners from early childhood through high school.
The ideal candidate is a creative educational leader who is passionate about experiential learning, youth engagement, curriculum development, and helping young people develop curiosity, stewardship, and connection to the past.
Mission Alignment
This position directly supports ARI’s mission:
“To educate current and future generations about past cultures through the investigation, identification and preservation of native and non-native sites.”
The Director of Youth Education & Educator Resources helps accomplish this mission by creating educational experiences that inspire curiosity, lifelong learning, stewardship, and meaningful connections between young people and the past.
Core Responsibilities
Youth Educational Programming
- Develop and oversee ARI’s youth educational programming strategy.
- Create engaging, hands-on educational experiences for youth ages 2–18.
- Design and coordinate:
- School field trips
- Homeschool programming
- Youth workshops
- Summer camps
- Scout programming
- Family archaeology experiences
- Youth tours and educational events
- Ensure all youth programming aligns with ARI’s educational goals and learning outcomes.
- Develop programs that encourage:
- Participation and discovery
- Critical thinking and understanding
- Creativity and craftsmanship
- Connection to the past and present
- Stewardship of cultural and natural resources
- Create programming appropriate for a wide range of developmental stages and learning styles.
- Work with archaeology and stewardship staff to ensure educational accuracy and authenticity.
Educator Resources & School Partnerships
- Develop curriculum materials and educator resources for teachers and homeschool educators.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with:
- Schools
- Educators
- Administrators
- Homeschool cooperatives
- Youth organizations
- Create pre-visit and post-visit educational materials for ARI programs and field trips.
- Develop educator guides and classroom resources aligned with educational standards when appropriate.
- Coordinate educator workshops, teacher appreciation events, and professional development opportunities.
- Expand ARI’s role as a regional educational resource for archaeology, history, and stewardship education.
Youth Learning Experience Design
- Help develop and improve immersive youth learning environments including:
- Indoor Exploration Center
- Outdoor Exploration Areas
- Simulated excavation spaces
- Interactive exhibits
- Experimental archaeology activities
- Educational technology and AR/VR experiences
- Design hands-on educational activities that encourage curiosity, teamwork, creativity, and problem solving.
- Ensure youth educational spaces are welcoming, accessible, safe, and engaging.
Program Coordination & Operations
- Coordinate scheduling and logistics for youth educational programs and field trips.
- Assist with staffing and volunteer coordination for youth activities.
- Develop operational systems and workflows for recurring youth programs.
- Track participation numbers, educational metrics, visitor feedback, and program evaluations.
- Help establish measurable educational outcomes and success metrics.
- Maintain educational materials, supplies, and program resources.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Supervise and mentor youth education staff, camp counselors, interns, facilitators, and volunteers.
- Foster a positive, collaborative, and mission-driven educational culture.
- Work collaboratively with:
- Archaeology Department
- Land Stewardship Department
- Historic Research & Preservation
- Marketing & Engagement
- Volunteer Coordination
- Participate in organizational planning, meetings, and educational strategy discussions.
- Support youth-focused outreach events and public engagement initiatives.
Educational Goals
This role helps ensure ARI’s youth programming teaches and reinforces:
- What archaeology is and why it matters
- The importance of preservation and stewardship
- The significance of the Ohio River Valley and regional cultural history
- That “this place has always been home”
- Curiosity, lifelong learning, and appreciation for past cultures
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Museum Education, Anthropology, History, Archaeology, Public History, Youth Development, or related field.
- Experience developing and leading youth educational programming.
- Experience working with children, educators, schools, or youth organizations.
- Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
- Ability to lead engaging educational experiences for diverse age groups.
- Passion for experiential and public education.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a related field.
- Classroom teaching experience.
- Experience in museums, camps, nonprofits, or informal education environments.
- Knowledge of archaeology, anthropology, preservation, history, or environmental education.
- Experience with curriculum development and educational standards alignment.
- Experience supervising staff, interns, or volunteers.
- Familiarity with immersive educational technology and interactive learning tools.
Key Traits & Characteristics
The ideal candidate is:
- Creative and imaginative
- Enthusiastic and engaging
- Organized and dependable
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and solution-focused
- Passionate about youth education
- Comfortable speaking to groups and families
- Mission-driven and community-focused
- Committed to creating meaningful educational experiences
Success Metrics
Success in this role may include:
- Growth in youth program attendance and participation
- Increased school and homeschool partnerships
- Increased repeat field trip bookings
- Positive educator and parent feedback
- Development of new youth educational programs and curriculum
- Increased engagement of youth audiences with ARI’s mission
- Quality and consistency of educational experiences
- Growth in youth stewardship and community engagement opportunities
Professional Development Opportunities
ARI supports continued learning and professional growth through:
- Conferences and workshops
- Archaeological and educational training
- Leadership development
- Curriculum and educational technology development
- Public archaeology and interpretation opportunities
Why This Position Matters
The Director of Youth Education & Educator Resources plays a critical role in inspiring the next generation to explore, preserve, research, and protect the stories of the past. Through engaging educational experiences, this position helps young people develop curiosity, stewardship, connection to place, and a deeper understanding of the cultures that shaped our region.
