Job Opportunities

SAN DIEGO, CA

USS Midway Museum, San Diego, CA

The Youth & Leadership Program Manager provides operational leadership for the USS Midway Museum’s youth education and leadership initiatives, overseeing Overnight Adventures, Merit Badge programs, ARCH Leadership, and signature partnership programs. Reporting to the Director of Education, this role leads program planning, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement; manages education staff and volunteers; ensures safe, high-quality, and financially sustainable program operations; and aligns staffing and resources with program needs, including oversight during select evenings, weekends, and overnight programs.

The position plays a central role in advancing the museum’s educational mission by fostering leadership development, civic engagement, and meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that connect young people to Midway’s history and legacy.

This position requires flexible scheduling, including evenings, weekends, and some overnight hours.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary – $71,000 - $84,000 year. The rate of pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, and experience and consider internal equity.
• Employer paid Medical & dental, life/LTD insurance with optional vision and legal.
• 403(b) retirement plan matching 100% of the employee contribution up to 6%, with immediate vesting.
• 15 vacation days, 10 days of accrued paid sick days per year, and 10 paid holidays.
• Annual discretionary year-end bonus program
• Paid Parking

Success Factors:

1. High-Quality, Consistent Program Delivery
   Youth and leadership programs are delivered safely and consistently across all formats, schedules, and staffing configurations, meeting museum standards for quality, youth safety, and interpretive excellence, with strong participant satisfaction and repeat engagement.
2. Sustained Growth and Demonstrated Impact
   Participation in youth and leadership programs grows in alignment with institutional priorities, supported by effective program refinement, partnerships, and outreach, while programs demonstrate clear learning, leadership, and engagement outcomes.
3. Strategic, Sustainable Staffing Outcomes
   Programs are consistently staffed at appropriate levels to meet demand and deliver high-quality experiences. Staffing plans effectively align part-time educators, and volunteers to ensure reliable coverage, strong volunteer engagement, and sustainable use of resources across all youth and leadership programs.
4. Financially Responsible and Sustainable Operations
   Youth and leadership programs operate within approved budgets, with earned revenue, expenses, and resource needs actively monitored and adjusted to support financial sustainability, efficient operations, and long-term program viability.
5. Effective Partnerships and Cross-Departmental Alignment
   External partnerships are implemented successfully and meet programmatic and operational expectations, while effective collaboration across museum departments ensures coordinated delivery, clear communication, accurate reporting, and mission-aligned youth programming.

Compensation & Benefits:

This role facilitates interactive STEM-based field trip programs for students in grades 2–8, integrating science, math, and social studies through the history, physical space, and stories of the historic aircraft carrier. Educators work directly with students and classroom teachers in an informal learning environment aboard the USS Midway Museum, leading inquiry-based lessons that emphasize active participation, strong classroom management, and appropriate grade instruction.

 Summary of Responsibilities:

• Provide operational leadership for the museum’s youth and leadership program portfolio, including Overnight Adventures, Merit Badge programs, ARCH Leadership, and signature partnership initiatives.
• Lead programs through the full lifecycle—from planning and implementation to evaluation and continuous improvement—ensuring safe, engaging, and high-quality experiences aligned with museum standards.
• Develop and maintain program schedules, staffing models, and operational plans; ensure compliance with youth safety protocols; and monitor program effectiveness to inform program refinement.
• Develop and implement strategies to grow youth and leadership program participation through audience engagement, partnerships, and program refinement, in alignment with institutional priorities and available resources.
• Manage and support Youth Programs staff and volunteers, and oversee programming delivered during evenings, weekends, and overnight hours to ensure consistency, coverage, and quality.
• Interview, train, supervise, and evaluate program staff, educators, and volunteers who support youth and leadership programming.
• Develop and maintain training systems that prepare staff and volunteers for youth engagement, safety protocols, interpretive standards, and both museum and program-specific content.
• Collaborate with internal departments, including Marketing, Partnerships, Operations, Volunteers, Engineering, Safety, Catering, and Guest Services, to ensure coordinated program delivery.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the Youth Programs budget, including earned revenue and program expenses, in collaboration with the Director of Education, ensuring responsible stewardship of museum resources.
• Oversee procurement and management of program materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Support data collection and reporting related to participation, outcomes, and operational performance of youth programming.
• Serve as a primary operational liaison for youth-focused partnerships, ensuring alignment with partner expectations, museum mission, and program deliverables.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

 Education/Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience related to traditional or formal education, informal education, museum studies, outdoor education, or youth programming.
• 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in youth programming, education, visitor experiences, or informal learning environments.
• Experience managing recurring programs with logistical complexity, including nontraditional hours.
• Experience supervising staff and/or volunteers.
• Experience managing or supporting program budgets.

Skills/Abilities

• Proficiency with office and collaboration technologies, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, OneDrive, PowerPoint), virtual meeting platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams).
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and support staff development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions in real time, particularly in complex or escalated program situations.

Working Conditions

• Job Conditions/Work Location: Work is performed aboard a former Navy Aircraft Carrier in all weather conditions, indoor and outdoor.
• Physical Requirements: Navigate stairs, ladders and shipboard spaces. Walk long distances.  Bend, stoop, and lift and carry standard office supplies and program materials.
• Equipment Operated: Computer, facsimile, printer, scanner, handheld radio, telephone.