Public Engagement Associate, Full Time
ROLE OVERVIEW: The Public Engagement Associate will administer a suite of SAM’s ongoing public programs, working closely with SAM’s 2 Public Engagement Managers and SAM’s Associate Director of Public Engagement to coordinate creative public programming and nurture meaningful community partnerships that further SAM’s mission: connecting art to life.
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
REPORTS TO: Associate Director of Public Engagement
COMPENSATION: $26.00 - $27.50 / hour
WORKING SCHEDULE: This role is directly supporting programs that take place primarily during museum open hours, with occasional evenings required to support broader public programming at SAM. As such, the expected working schedule for this role is Tuesday – Saturday during museum open hours, with occasional evening work required.
BENEFITS: Full Time SAM Staff are eligible to enroll in medical (through Kaiser), dental (through Delta Dental of WA), vision (through Vision Service Pan), and basic life insurance/LTD/AD&D (through LifeMap), as well as a Flexible Spending Account (through Navia Benefit Solutions). FT Staff also have the option to elect Short Term Disability or Supplemental Dental Insurance (through Aflac). FT Staff can participate in SAM’s 403b retirement plan, and begin receiving a guaranteed 3% employer contribution following 1 year & 1,000 hours worked. FT Staff have access to paid time off for vacation, sick leave, bereavement leave, and jury duty per accrual and pro-rated schedules. SAM observes 12 holidays each year, and offers FT Staff 1 paid floating holiday of their choice. FT Staff can opt into a 50% subsidized unlimited Orca card. FT Staff also receive a Patron level membership to SAM, and a Tier III membership to the American Alliance of Museums, as well as access to an onsite fitness facility, SAM’s museum library, a no-cost Employee Assistance Program resource, a 20% discount at the SAM Museum Shop and a 10% discount at SAM’s MARKET cafe, and 8 Home Free Guarantee cab rides home per year.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Public Programming
- Administer ongoing public programs related SAM’s permanent collection and special exhibitions, with a focus on SAM Around Town, a community tabling program, and routine programs such as SAM Creates, Tea Ceremonies, and Ladies Musical Club (new!)
- Plan and coordinate recurring public programs and events, leveraging existing SAM resources (i.e. existing roster of Teaching Artists, current calendar and cadence of programs and events, resources from SAM’s Education & Interpretation teams)
- Manage SAM’s Community Pass Program, which offers free museum entry to community partner organizations supporting underserved communities, and involves maintaining communication, coordinating special programs, and distributing tickets for the 60 organizations involved
- Recruit, schedule, and support teaching artists, temporary staff, and volunteers working with SAM public programs
- Provide logistical and administrative support for programs, including leading event setup and breakdown, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring all program materials and resources are prepared, and troubleshooting issues that arise during events
- Liaise with cross-departmental contacts in Security, Audio-Visual Technology, Facilities, Visitor Experience, Finance, Legal, and Food Services for program and event needs
- Collaborate with SAM’s Marketing team on promotional materials for programs and events, including submitting request forms, writing copy, and editing and proofreading
- Collect data and prepare reports on program attendance, program engagement, attendee feedback, partnership evaluation, revenue, expenses, and other metrics
- Nurture and maintain existing partnerships with community and cultural organizations
- Serve as point person for community partnership inquiries, and communications with SAM’s partner organizations
- Prepare data reports about pass redemption, program partnerships, new initiatives to further engagement, and other data points
- Support the Associate Director of Public Engagement in monitoring program and event spend, which involves maintaining designated budgeting spreadsheets with correct coding for payments
- Process invoices and credit card payments and for event and program costs, preparing proper payment documentation for budget tracking purposes
- Work with SAM’s Development team and Legal team respectively, to prepare grants and draw up contracts for partner organizations, event vendors, etc
- Compile statistics on attendance, revenue, and expenses for the division’s records and reports
- Undertake additional duties as requested or as needed by the museum
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- BA preferred in art administration, art education, art history, education, nonprofit leadership, or related field or the equivalent combination of education/experience
- 1-3 years of programming experience in an arts organization or related cultural organization preferred
- Demonstrated interest in local, contemporary artist communities including performance, music, literary, and visual arts
- Demonstrated commitment to racial equity work
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills; ability to communicate effectively in writing, in person, and over the phone
- Proficiency in project management or program administration
- Familiarity with budget tracking preferred
- Proficiency with MS Office products, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Access and other related software applications
- Ability to work accurately with close attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team; flexible, responsive, and communicative when working across teams and organizations
- Ability to assess priorities, manage multiple projects simultaneously, excellent time management, problem-solving, and analytic skills
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Exposure: Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate-controlled environment with moderate background noise. Workspaces may also include outdoor areas and other indoor sites.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Stationary Work: Approximately 60% of time is spent stationary while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 40%) is spent moving around the work area. Occasional extended periods of standing may be required.
Communication: Clear and effective verbal and written communication in English with trustees, partners, the public, and co-workers is necessary.
Vision: Ability to effectively use a computer screen and interpret printed materials, memos and other appropriate paperwork.
Office Work: Ability to effectively and regularly operate a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machines and printers, and ability to inspect, prepare and use paperwork, files, equipment, and supplies is necessary.
Lifting/Carrying/Pushing/Pulling: Ability to transport up to twenty (20) pounds of equipment and supplies.
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Celebrating difference. At Seattle Art Museum, our members, visitors, and local community come from all walks of life, and so do our employees, volunteers, and interns. The plurality of our identities and experiences strengthens our mission: connecting art to life. Our mission and vision call us to be responsive to a multitude of cultural contexts and lived experiences, and as such, our Strategic Plan directly addresses the role art plays in empowering and elevating social justice movements, and promoting structural change to further equity in our society. SAM is particularly dedicated to racial equity in the workplace, because we know that people of color are the most impacted when it comes to both historical and present inequities. We know that equity is not a single fixed destination, it’s ongoing reckoning. As SAM continually strives to be a more inclusive and equitable workplace, we are particularly interested in engaging with those who have been historically underrepresented in the museum field. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace, and a sense of belonging for each and every employee, because we know our organization is at its best when we celebrate difference.
SAM is an equal opportunity employer. We are an equal opportunity employer, and consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, sensory, physical, or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship or immigration status, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. SAM is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures, and will consider candidates for employment who may need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job. Please contact the Human Resources Department at HR@seattleartmuseum.org for additional information, or to request reasonable accommodations for the application or interview process.
We encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace, and a sense of belonging for each and every employee, because we know our organization is at its best when we include, celebrate and embrace difference. We encourage you to submit an application, even if your experience doesn’t feel like a 100% match with the position. We know applying for a job can be intimidating, and research tells us that womxn and folks of color are less likely to apply if they don't see themselves meeting or exceeding every single qualification listed. We encourage you to apply, even if you feel unsure about whether you meet every requirement in this job post. You could very well be a great fit for this role or others.
Criminal background check. Employment at SAM is contingent upon successful clearing of both a federal and state criminal background check.
Want to learn more? If you haven't already, check out our Careers page for more on working at SAM.
Though we'd love to be able to reply to every question that crosses our desk, due to the high volume of applications we receive, our HR team is unfortunately unable to offer a response to inquiries requesting search status updates, inquiries about hiring timeline, or requests to be put in touch with directly with the Hiring Team. If your experiences and capabilities are well suited to an open role, our Recruiter or the Hiring Manager will reach out directly to schedule an interview. Thanks for your understanding!