Special Assistant for Operations at the Climate Museum

Position description

Contending with the climate crisis at scale requires a transformation of our public culture. The Climate Museum, the first museum in the U.S. dedicated to climate change, mobilizes the power of arts and cultural programming to accelerate this crucial shift toward climate dialogue and action, empowering visitors with the understanding that they can take meaningful action for climate justice, creating community for collective action, and popularizing solutions that emphasize justice and equity. The public trust held by museums situates them as unparalleled spaces for bringing people together to join the fight for a brighter future. 

In its public programming to date, the Museum has pioneered an activist cultural approach to community engagement with climate, recognizing that most Americans are worried about the climate crisis but unsure how to take meaningful action. The Museum’s free, accessible exhibitions, art installations, advocacy tools, events, and youth programs have received wide recognition in the cultural sector and beyond, and empowered hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors to exercise their agency in the global climate movement. 

Building on its record of success, the Museum has launched an initiative to scale up to year-round space to make its pathbreaking work accessible to more people. This vision is being implemented through a series of transit-accessible exhibitions in various locations. 

About the role 

This full-time challenging and wide-ranging role presents the opportunity to learn about museum operations and planning and to play a central role in a formative period of growth of a nonprofit organization. Jump headfirst into justice-centered, cultural work on the climate emergency with a close-knit team of driven, passionate, and kind individuals. Work closely with the Museum’s Director as an executive assistant; lead operational projects; and be immersed in the high-level strategy and planning for the Climate Museum’s horizon, including upcoming programs, with room for growth through both your own initiative and special projects. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We are looking to fill this position quickly before the winter holiday, for a start date at the beginning of 2024. This will allow time for training before the current team member departs for graduate school. 

Responsibilities: 

• Assist the Director in managing their day-to-day activities, including development, programming, outreach, scheduling, note-taking/transcription, and research. 
• Plan, develop, implement, and manage organizational operations and protocols.
• Participate in strategy and planning meetings. 
• Assist with fundraising and development responsibilities, including outreach, logistics, research, grant writing, and data management.
• Coordinate the preparation of Board of Trustee reports and meetings and related tasks alongside the Director. 
• Manage IT systems and software, including Google Workspace, Salesforce, Slack, Paychex and more. 
• Manage payroll, compliance, insurance, and additional HR tasks. 
• Act as office manager and as the internal point person on bookkeeping and accounting. This position includes substantial lifts and learning opportunities in labor contracting, vendor interactions, budgeting, nonprofit governance of accounting, and recordkeeping. 
• Support the preparation and production of public programs and events. 
• Manage the Museum’s general inbox to field, direct, and handle various inquiries and collaboration and development opportunities. 
• Oversee intern recruitment, onboarding, and project assignments. 
• Execute special projects and research, collaborating across departments. 
• Troubleshoot complex problems. 

Qualifications: 

Job fundamentals: 

• Commitment to supporting, extending, and improving the work of the Director across development, strategy, program, and operations. 
• Enthusiasm for mastering basic accounting and other operational/technical skills. ○ Passion for climate issues, social justice, and/or museums. 
• Regular in-person office hours are Monday - Thursday, 10am - 6pm. Fridays are remote. Additional hours (including some weekend time) are often necessary. 

Organizational culture fundamentals: 

• Kindness and humor under pressure. 
• Independent thinking and assertiveness. 
• Flexible, enterprising, and ambitious mindset. 
• Strong orientation toward collaboration and the success of the team.

Essential job skills:

• Highly organized and detail-oriented habits with excellent time-management skills; ability to be a “steel trap.” 
• Sound judgment, since the role will be entrusted with exercising that judgment in important and significant matters. 
• Exceptional research and writing skills. 
• Consistent attention to excellent email and phone manners. 
• Comfort with error and adjustment in a highly dynamic work environment; a growth mindset.
• Comfort with learning new technology. 

Experience level:

• Candidates with 0-2 years of pertinent experience will be considered.

Salary and benefits 

The salary range for this position is $65,000-$67,500. The Museum also offers an excellent benefits package, including health, dental, and vision, as well as a retirement savings account without matching.

Application instructions

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