Description

The South Dakota State Agricultural Heritage Museum is offering an exciting career opportunity as an Education Coordinator. We are looking for a creative and innovative professional to join us as this position is an integral part of the museum team. This position is devoted to creating an ecology of learning that enhances people’s understanding of the importance of agriculture in South Dakota, past and present. This is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position located in Brookings, South Dakota.  

 SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities. 

 Must be authorized to work in the U.S.  Sponsorship is not available for this position.

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position provides leadership and vision for the development and implementation of innovative programs, events, partnerships and educational and engagement initiatives that enhance the Museum’s educational impact on the community and help build audiences. This includes:

        Working with colleagues in developing exhibits and the corresponding educational programming;  

        Developing curriculum and educational activities for traveling exhibits;

        Developing and delivering age-appropriate activities for youth tours;

        Coordinating SDSU Explore Tours, scheduling youth tours for various departments on campus;

        Enhancing partnerships with other agricultural, educational, historical cultural, non-profit, governmental, and civic entities on and off campus;

        Coordinating marketing efforts by writing and editing promotional content;

        Assisting with the South Dakota National History Day program and coordinating volunteers; and

        Ensure that all educational initiatives produced by the Museum on or off-site are well researched and represented in accordance with the Museum’s mission, policies, and procedures.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in education, history, museum studies, or a related field completed by date of hire; 
  Experience working with children in an educational setting; 
  Minimum of three years of related experience or a master’s degree in the identified fields; 
  Organizational and project management skills; 
  Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of people; 
  Excellent verbal and written communication skills; 
  Demonstrated use of technology in managing and/or delivering educational programs; 
  Demonstrated ability or potential to research, develop, and deliver exciting and engaging education learning activities and programs; 
  Knowledge of the Federal and State standards as well as the 21st century skills curriculum standards; and
  Proven ability to work independently as well as part of a team. 
  Valid driver’s license;

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in education, history, museum studies, or a related field;
• Demonstrated knowledge and interest in agriculture, especially in its history; 
• Experience with 4-H, FFA, or other project-based learning;
• Demonstrated experience in grant writing;
• Event planning experience;
• Experience with successful supervisory experience with volunteer and student management; and
• Experience with developing educational programs in a non-traditional learning environment such as in museums, cultural centers, etc. 

 SALARY:

 APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Position closes 07/15/2026.

 UNIVERSITY/COMMUNITY:

The South Dakota State Agricultural Heritage Museum inspires a passion for the diverse history, culture, and science of agriculture in South Dakota. It is the state museum for preserving agricultural history. It has 10,000 square feet of exhibit space and has an average annual attendance of 12,000 visitors. The Museum is a department of the South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. SDSU is a land grant institution and the state's largest institution of higher education with an enrollment of approximately 13,000 students. Brookings, SD is a community of approximately 22,100 near the east central border of South Dakota on Interstate 29. The city has an excellent K-12 education system, is accessible to major medical facilities, has an active cultural and social environment, and has numerous lakes and parks within driving distance. It is 50 miles north of Sioux Falls, a city of close to 150,000.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

SDState accepts applications through an on-line employment site.  To apply, visit:  https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.”  This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, curriculum vitae, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references.  Email applications will not be accepted.  Please contact SDState Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.  

 Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.   

 SDState is a tobacco free environment.   It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students.  This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.  

 For questions on the position, contact Museum Director, Gwen McCausland at [email protected] or 605-688-4581.

 South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [email protected]. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------