Early Childhood Community Engagement Specialist (Part-Time)

Our client - Port Discovery Children's Museum - is seeking a Community Engagement Specialist.

Position Summary:

The Community Engagement Specialist serves as a facilitator for Communities At Play, delivering community-centered learning experiences that support families, caregivers, and community partners in understanding and applying the science of play.

Community Engagement Specialists play an essential role in building meaningful relationships with families and community partners while modeling playful learning strategies that can be incorporated into everyday experiences. This position requires frequent travel between Port Discovery Children's Museum and partnering community organization sites. Specialists must have reliable personal transportation and be comfortable transporting, lifting, packing, and unpacking program materials on a daily basis to ensure each session is fully prepared and successfully facilitated.

Successful candidates are relationship-builders who demonstrate strong communication skills, cultural responsiveness, adaptability, collaboration, and a commitment to creating welcoming environments for all families.

Details:

Must have reliable transportation to travel to and from locations and transport materials, since this position will assist with program facilitation.

• Position Type: Part-Time
• Location: Port Discovery Children's Museum & partner community sites
• Salary: $20-$22 per hour, based on relevant experience

Schedule:

• Weekly Hours: 16 - 22
• Typical Shifts: 4-hour shifts, typically weekday mornings
  • However, flexibility is requested because occasional weekends and evenings will be needed, based on program scheduling

Core Responsibilities:

Program Facilitation & Delivery

• Use play-based, interactive, relationship-centered approach to facilitate Communities At Play (6-session multi-generation experience designed to empower families with the tools of playful learning)
• Create welcoming and inclusive learning environments where participants feel valued and engaged
• Model playful learning practices families can apply in everyday routines
• Support positive group dynamics and foster meaningful discussion and reflection
• Adapt facilitation strategies to meet the needs of diverse groups
• Program Preparation
• Collaborate with the community engagement team to support program quality
• Prepare materials and learning environments for sessions
• Participate in professional learning opportunities

Documentation & Communication

• Support storytelling and impact efforts
• Share participant feedback and observations to support continuous improvement
• Track attendance and session documentation
• Communicate scheduling, supply and participant needs

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 1 year of experience working with children, families, or community-based programs
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends
• Access to consistent personal transportation and ability to travel within state to different locations
• Must be 18 years of age and able to pass a background check

Preferred

• Background in early childhood education, family engagement or community education
• Experience with play-based learning or informal education
• Bilingual or multilingual
• Experience facilitating groups or workshops
• Early Childhood Education credentials or college degree

Benefits:

Port Discovery provides you with the opportunity to make a difference in the community and in the lives of children. Additional benefits include:

• Convenient location next to a subway stop, or we offer free parking
• Free admission to the Museum for family
• Earned time off for sick leave
• Retirement savings with Museum match after 6 months

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Ability to facilitate active, movement-based sessions
• Ability to transport materials up to 30 pounds
• Ability to travel locally to and from community sites
• Occasional evenings and weekends

Why This Role Matters:

Specialists help bring playful learning directly into communities, helping families recognize the learning opportunities in everyday moments. This role strengthens community relationships and expands access to joyful learning experiences.

If this role sounds like a great fit, we'd love to hear from you. Submit your resume and join us in creating joyful, meaningful learning experiences through play.

To learn more about Port Discovery Children's Museum, visit https://www.portdiscovery.org/. Port Discovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.