Wisconsin Maritime Museum
Location: 75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Job Title: Education & Programs Coordinator
Reports to: Executive Director
Job Type: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Compensation: $16-18/hr full time non-exempt with benefits
Position Summary
The Education & Programs Coordinator is responsible for developing, coordinating, and delivering educational and public programming for the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. The role focuses on creating engaging educational experiences that support the museum’s mission and align with Wisconsin Academic Standards for audiences of all ages. Key responsibilities include: coordinating and teaching school tours, managing group visits, delivering public programs and outreach presentations; expanding partnerships with schools, libraries, community organizations, and off-site locations. The position also collaborates closely with museum staff across exhibits, collections, communications, facilities, development, and visitor engagement to ensure programs are well-supported, effectively promoted, and aligned with museum goals.
Position Description and Expectations:
- Create and expand educational programs at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum that align with the museum mission, exhibits, and current Wisconsin Academic Standards.
- Collaborate with partners to expand programming opportunities off-site, like at the Manitowoc North Breakwater Lighthouse and local organizations.
- Schedule and perform off-site educational programs and presentations for public outreach events (libraries, schools, community centers, etc.).
- Maintain, schedule, and organize on-site group visits to the museum, including adult tour groups, student groups, and scout groups.
- Lead, or serve as a primary contact for, scheduled on-site group visits and collaborate with the Visitor Engagement Supervisor when coverage or extra coverage needs to be scheduled.
- Collaborate with multiple departments as it relates to education and programmatic support needs.
- Coordinate program logistics and provide event support for a diverse and dynamic public programming schedule that caters to a wide range of ages, abilities, and access.
- Existing programs include: Think & Drink speaker series, Hands-on Harbor activities, USS Cobia’s Birthdays, Shipwreck Days, Spooky Science Nights, etc.
- Collaborate with museum staff to organize special events and programs as they arise.
- Collaborate with the Visitor Engagement Supervisor to ensure admission is being created and displayed on the website for specialty tours, events, and programming.
- Contribute upcoming program schedule to the semi-annual museum magazine, The Anchor.
- When needed, serve in front-facing roles at the museum, such as at the front desk and as tour guide for USS Cobia and the Manitowoc North Breakwater Lighthouse.
- Serve as a reliable Float Manager on a rotating weekend schedule, assisting front desk staff. Weekend availability is required, but not every weekend.
- Organize and facilitate training on museum educational programs and tours for full-time staff, part-time staff, and museum volunteers.
About the Wisconsin Maritime Museum
The Wisconsin Maritime Museum was founded in 1969 as a small submariners’ memorial that would recognize Wisconsin’s contributions to WWII efforts. Since then, we’ve grown to be one of the largest maritime museums in the Great Lakes region, with exhibits on shipwrecks, maritime industry, ship models, art, and more. The institution is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Our mission is to connect all people with Wisconsin’s waterways, by engaging and educating the public about the Great Lakes, Wisconsin’s maritime history, Wisconsin’s World War II submarines and USS Cobia.
The Wisconsin Maritime Museum is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, gender identity, age, class, sexuality, religion, ability or national origin. WMM is committed to advancing equity and diversity both in the organization and in the museum field. At the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. Let us know in your cover letter how your experience makes you a good fit for us.
About Manitowoc
Located along the western shore of Lake Michigan, Manitowoc is a vibrant community of nearly 40,000 residents with a thriving downtown filled with unique restaurants and business. The city is 90 minutes north of Milwaukee and 40 minutes south of Green Bay. Shipbuilding has played a role in Manitowoc’s past from the schooners of the 19th century, to the world-class, luxury yachts built by Burger Boat Company of today. Stroll the riverwalk to the lake and watch freighters move tons of materials in and out of our hard working port.
Application Deadline: Friday, June 26, 2026
Applicants can send resumes to Executive Director, Kevin Cullen: [email protected]
Museum Website: wisconsinmaritime.org
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Physical Setting:
Education:
Experience:
- Educational Program: 1 year (Preferred)
- Customer service: 1 year (Preferred)
- Google Suite: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
