Aerospace Museum of California

Public Engagement Lead

This position requires a highly organized, adaptable, and service-oriented professional who can balance administrative responsibilities with hands-on program delivery and public interaction. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated candidate seeking to grow within a dynamic, mission-driven organization, with opportunities for expanded responsibility and professional development over time.

The Public Engagement Lead is responsible for advancing the museum’s mission through community connection, guest engagement, volunteer leadership, seasonal program coordination, and event communication. This role serves as a key public-facing position that strengthens the museum’s visibility, visitor experience, and community relationships while supporting internal operations.

This role is accountable for delivering measurable impact through community engagement, volunteer program effectiveness, and program participation. The Public Engagement Lead tracks key engagement metrics, ensures consistent communication and follow-through, and identifies opportunities to strengthen programs, partnerships, and the overall guest experience.

Position Scope

The Public Engagement Lead manages and supports multiple operational areas including:

  • Community outreach and partnership development

  • Volunteer recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, and retention

  • Track and report on key engagement metrics including outreach contacts, attendance growth, volunteer retention, and program participation

  • Seasonal programming with emphasis on summer programs

  • Private events, tours, and post-event communication follow-up

  • Guest experience support

  • Fundraising and donor engagement support during campaign seasons

  • Cross-department coordination related to public programs and engagement initiatives

Because museum operations shift throughout the year, this role must adapt priorities based on seasonal needs including event season, outreach season, fundraising season, and summer program season.

Essential Functions

Community Engagement & Outreach

  • Represent the museum professionally at community events, fairs, school functions, and networking opportunities

  • Build relationships with schools, businesses, civic groups, and community organizations

  • Coordinate outreach calendars, staffing, supplies, and promotional materials

  • Promote museum programs, memberships, events, tours, and volunteer opportunities

  • Identify opportunities to increase attendance, awareness, and partnerships

  • Track outreach outcomes, contacts, and partnership activity

  • Represent the museum brand with professionalism and consistency across all public-facing activities

Volunteer Program Administration

  • Provide day-to-day leadership, direction, and support to volunteers, ensuring a high-quality and professional team environment

  • Ensure clear, timely communication with volunteers and maintain a high standard of professionalism

  • Identify opportunities to improve volunteer engagement, retention, and program effectiveness

  • Develop and maintain volunteer recruitment pipelines

  • Screen applicants and match volunteers with operational needs

  • Conduct orientations, onboarding, and training sessions

  • Create volunteer schedules for programs, events, and daily support needs

  • Maintain volunteer records, hours, communication logs, and acknowledgments

  • Provide coaching, direction, and support to volunteers

  • Foster a positive, inclusive, and mission-driven volunteer culture

Performance & Collaboration

  • Track and report on key engagement metrics including outreach, attendance, and volunteer participation

  • Collaborate across departments to align outreach, programs, and visitor experience efforts

  • Identify opportunities to strengthen programs, partnerships, and operational effectiveness 

Seasonal Program Coordination

  • Coordinate logistics for summer and seasonal public programs

  • Manage registration communication and participant information

  • Prepare supplies, spaces, schedules, and staffing plans

  • Ensure consistent communication with participants and families

  • Identify improvements to enhance program quality and participant experience

  • Serve as point of contact for families and participants

  • Support daily operations of youth and family programs

  • Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements

Private Events, Tours & Group Visits

  • Maintain inquiry pipelines and ensure timely follow-up

  • Coordinate confirmed bookings with internal departments

  • Support event execution and guest hospitality as needed

  • Responsible for follow-up on post-event communication for private events, tours, and group visits

  • Maintain client records and communication notes

Donor Support

  • Assist with donor events, member engagement, and fundraising campaigns

  • Support sponsorship and community benefit opportunities

Guest Experience & General Operations

  • Deliver excellent customer service to all museum guests and stakeholders

  • Support museum-wide events, initiatives, and visitor services needs

  • Assist with front-facing operations during high attendance periods

  • Maintain organized workspaces, program materials, and event readiness

  • Perform additional duties as assigned to meet operational needs

  • Maintain high standards of customer service and professionalism in all guest interactions

  • Identify and address operational gaps to improve visitor experience

Decision-Making & Accountability

The Public Engagement Lead is expected to exercise sound judgment, prioritize tasks independently, and proactively address challenges. This role is accountable for meeting deadlines, maintaining professional communication, ensuring high-quality public interactions, and consistently delivering on program and engagement goals.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree required (or equivalent combination of higher education and relevant experience)

  • Minimum of 5 years of customer service or public-facing experience

  • Minimum of 1–2 years of supervisory or leadership experience, including managing volunteers, teams, or program participants

  • Demonstrated experience in relationship management, including outreach, partnership development, event coordination, or community engagement

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

  • Strong organizational and administrative skills with attention to detail

  • Ability to multitask and manage shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment

  • Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar) and willingness to learn additional platforms (e.g., Better Impact, Mailchimp, CRM systems)

  • Ability to work weekends and occasional evenings

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in nonprofit, museum, education, or community-based organizations

  • Experience supervising volunteers or temporary staff

  • Familiarity with volunteer management systems, CRM tools, ticketing, or donor platforms

  • Experience coordinating events, camps, or public programs 


Professional Growth & Development

The museum is committed to supporting the growth of its team members. This role offers opportunities to develop leadership skills, expand program management experience, and take on increased responsibility over time for high-performing and committed individuals.

Work Environment

Flexible, comfortable, and collaborative environment with a dynamic, mission-driven culture, plus engaging public-facing work, free museum admission, and employee discounts.

Opportunity

Growth in leadership, program development, and community engagement within a fast-paced, mission-driven organization.

Work Culture & Perks

  • Mission-driven, collaborative team environment

  • Flexible and comfortable work attire

  • Dynamic, engaging workplace with public programs and events

  • Free museum admission

  • Employee discounts for friends and family

  • Opportunity to contribute to impactful STEM education and community outreach initiatives

Compensation & Benefits

  • $28–$30/hour

  • Paid Time Off (PTO)

  • Paid Sick Leave

  • Optional participation in 403(b) retirement savings plan

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods

  • Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 25 pounds

  • Ability to set up tables, chairs, signage, and event materials

  • Ability to work indoors and outdoors as needed for events and outreach