Jobs

Department:  Education
Supervisor:  Director of Education
Exempt/Non-Exempt:  Non-exempt
Position Type: Part Time (25 hours/week)
Salary Range:  $22-26 per hour
Background Check: Required

Position Summary:

The Education Associate supports the Education Department in execution of the annual plan of programs. This position combines creative programming, and collaboration with museum staff, educators, and community partners to ensure programs are executed in line with the Center’s mission.

The duties of this role vary over the course of each calendar year, requiring excellent time management and communication skills, the ability to prioritize work, and the ability to collaborate and manage expectations both across and upwards within the organization.

Strong interpersonal skills, superior oral and written communication skills, a kind and gracious demeanor, superb organizational skills, and keen attention to detail are essential to this position.

Essential Functions:

Direct Management of the Model Museums Program –​​ 80% (variable)

  • Refine and implement a strong relevant Model Museum curriculum that is engaging and ensuring the experience is logical and seamless.
  • Understand the target goals of the Model Museum Program.
  • Work with The Center department heads to develop authentic hands-on activities for each area to engage the students.
  • Collaborate on scheduling and content of individual sessions
  • Build a working relationship with the participating students by serving as a link between them and The Center.
  • Establish strong connections with Buffalo Public high school administrators and visual arts teachers to help fill the program with engaging students.
  • Manage the operational tasks, including attendance, feedback from students, preparing materials as handouts, obtaining snacks and transportation needs for students.
  • Construct assessment tools to measure student learning and provide feedback to the management team and make recommendations on changes to the program if appropriate.
  • Stay engaged with Model Museum graduates’ post- graduation to keep as many as possible engaged in museum experiences.
  • and administrators.

Other Education Department Assistance – 10% (variable)

  • Support the other areas of the Education Department as requested by the Director of Education.
  • Stay abreast of the various offerings of the Education department and step in to assist during vacations or as needed based upon program needs.

Other Duties – 10% (variable)

  • Stay current, maintain familiarity with museum practices and broad understanding of how they affect educational practice.
  • Assist with the care and maintenance of the Useum Studio space.
  • Assist with other Center programming as needed including The Gala, 716 Art, etc.

Preferred Skills, and Experience

  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to engage and hold the attention of groups.
  • Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
  • Warmth and a sincere love for working with diverse audiences.
  • Goal oriented and self-motivated. Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team, to think ahead and be a problem-solver.
  • Demonstrated ability to pay close attention to detail, to efficiently manage several work assignments and tasks simultaneously, and to self-prioritize work in a fast-paced environment.
Required Qualifications (Education & Experience)
  • Bachelor’s degree in an art related field.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Experience with word processing and other general office software.
  • Three years’ Education program experience.
  • Innate passion for the arts, for learning, and for service.
 
Compensation
 

Burchfield Penney Art Center is committed to fair, competitive, and industry-informed pay for our employees.

Health Benefits are not available for Part Time Staff.

To apply: Please email your cover letter, resume, and three professional references in one PDF document, saved as “LastName-FirstName-StaffEducationAssociate” and in the subject bar to burchfld@buffalostate.edu. No calls, please. 

This position is open until filled, but applications received by July 31, 2025 will receive first consideration.

Join the team at the Center.

The Burchfield Penney Art Center offers an exciting and inclusive work environment for talented and hardworking individuals who share in our desire to inspire, invest in, and celebrate the historical and contemporary accomplishments of Western New York artists. 


Current openings are regularly updated below. If there are no openings available at this time, but you’re eager to get in touch about future opportunities, send us an email at burchfld@buffalostate.edu.

The Burchfield Penney Art Center (Burchfield Penney) is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and the art and artists of Buffalo and our region. Through our affiliation with SUNY Buffalo State University, we encourage learning and celebrate our richly creative, diverse community. We commit to inspiring, investing in, and celebrating artists' historical and contemporary accomplishments. We will energize the WNY community and SUNY Buffalo State University through meaningful experiences and sustain and enhance our culture and environment through our decisions and actions. 

We recognize that every visitor, artist, volunteer, and staff member has unique lived experiences. We commit to celebrating and reflecting our community's diversity through the arts. Together, we are empowered to think, learn, and grow.

We are dedicated to building a diverse staff that reflects our mission and community. 

Our collection is home to more than 12,000 works of art by more than 680 artists spanning the late 19th century through the present. It includes the world's most extensive collection of artworks and ephemera by acclaimed watercolorist Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967). 

Founded in 1966, Burchfield Penney has a remarkable history and is a crucial member of the Buffalo cultural community.