Community Program Manager Jobs in Kirkland, WA (NOW HIRING)

Description

Imagine Children's Museum is looking for a Public and Community Programs Assistant Manager, the energetic, on-the-floor leader who turns every public program, activation, and community event into something families remember. You're not behind a desk; you are modeling the kind of playful, engaged facilitation that makes a visit to Imagine unforgettable. 

One moment you're co-facilitating a program because the team needs an extra hand. Next, you're coaching a team member through a big event, chatting with a visiting family about why play matters, or stepping in to handle an unexpected hiccup with the calm confidence of someone who's seen it all before. You work hand in hand with the Public Programs Manager, and when they're not on-site, you are the leadership presence the team and our visitors count on. 

You'll thrive here if you: 

• Light up when you're in front of people, not behind a computer 
• Lead by example - your energy and warmth are contagious on the floor 
• Can pivot quickly when priorities shift mid-day (because they will) 
• Care deeply about mission-aligned, learning-driven experiences for kids and families 
• Want to support coaching and growing a team 
• Have the flexibility to be there when it counts - including evenings and weekends 

What you'll actually be doing: Leading program delivery on the floor. Modeling playful, high-quality facilitation for staff, artists, and performers. Engaging directly with visitors and community partners. Supporting staff scheduling, training, and day-to-day team support. Stepping in for the Public Programs Manager when needed, so the department never misses a beat. 

If you're a natural leader who finds purpose in the energy of a busy floor and wants every program to be fun, playful, and genuinely meaningful, we'd love to meet you. 

Come be the reason the magic never stops! 

Requirements

Position Requirements:

• Ability to support and coach a diverse team of program staff and contracted artists under the direction of the Public & Community Programs Manager. 
• Comfortable being highly visible on the floor and speaking confidently with visitors, families, and community partners about programs and events. 
• Able to work in a fast-paced, public-facing environment that requires staying active and engaged on the floor for extended periods. 
• Creative thinker able to create and deliver high-quality, audience-centered experiences for children and families that are mission and exhibit-aligned. 
• Strong written and oral communication skills, effective problem-solving, flexibility, and ability to respond quickly to changing needs or challenges. 
• Ability to work respectfully and professionally with colleagues, community partners, artists, performers, volunteers, and the public. 
• Awareness and sensitivity to cultural, linguistic, and other differences when working with diverse staff, volunteers, and community members. 
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive program practices. 
• Experience working with artists and/or arts organizations is a plus. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and database systems. 
• Position requires evening and weekend availability based on program and event needs. 
• Transportation, valid driver's license, and insurance as required by Museum policy. 
• Ability to complete basic first aid training. 
• Commitment to Imagine Children's Museum's culture and core values.

Education and/or Experience:

• 1-2 years of experience in public program support, coordination, or education preferred. 
• Experience working with children and families in a public-facing or community program setting. 
• Knowledge of child development and informal learning strategies for children ages 1-12. 
• Experience working with or coordinating artists, performers, or creative program facilitators. 
• Background in arts education, museum education, or community programming preferred. 
• Comfort presenting to groups and adapting to changing or unpredictable situations. 
• Bilingual or multilingual is a plus. 

Supervisory Responsibility:

Public & Community Programs Coordinator, Lead Curiosity Guide, Curiosity Guides. May oversee volunteers, interns, and contracted artists or performers during programs and events. 

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in a typical interactive exhibit environment with moderate noise levels. 

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regularly required to sit for long periods of time and occasionally lift and or move up to 25 pounds.
• Independent body mobility to access a standard office environment with shelves and drawers of varying heights.
• Vision sufficient to read a computer screen, 12 point and finer printed text, and handwritten documents.
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard on a daily basis.
• Speak and hear sufficiently to communicate clearly in person, over the telephone, and in small groups.
• Mental stamina for problem solving and dealing with stressful situations; prioritizing multiple tasks; interpreting and applying oral/written instructions.
• No ongoing and consistent extraordinary physical effort or strain involved in this position.

This is a full-time position, onsite in Everett. The pay is $31.00 an hour.

Benefits: All full-time employees receive accrued sick time, vacation time, anniversary appreciation day, medical/vision/dental insurance, Life AD&D, FSA, IRA, EAP, free museum membership, discounts, and other museum perks!

The typical schedule for this position is 8:30 AM-5:00 PM. This role supports public programs, events, and community engagement activities, so applicants should expect a flexible schedule that includes evenings and weekends throughout the year.

Employees in this role can expect:

• Approximately 4-5 evening shifts per month, with some shifts extending as late as 9:00 PM.
• Regular weekend work, including both Saturdays and Sundays.
• Weekend assignments that may include working both Saturday and Sunday during the same week.
• Occasional schedule adjustments to support special events, festivals, outreach activities, and community partnerships.

Applicants should be comfortable working a schedule that regularly includes evenings, weekends, and special events.

Please submit a cover letter with your application.