A Museum Curator builds and maintains collections at art museums and other museums. Uses in-depth knowledge of art or other artifacts to plan displays and exhibits, advise on museum acquisitions, identify and appraise works. A Museum Director manages overall museum operations.
WonderTrek Children's Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Baxter, Minnesota, serving Region 5, including Crow Wing, Cass, Todd, Wadena, and Morrison counties. WonderTrek is led by a dedicated Board of Directors, passionate staff, and an experienced Museum Project Director. WonderTrek is on a mission to bring back everyday play. Play is a vital part of healthy development and a vibrant community. WonderTrek's creative spaces enable children to imagine, experiment, and develop essential life skills, such as problem-solving, empathy, decision-making, and teamwork - all while having a blast. WonderTrek Children's Museum celebrates children's joy of play and the wonder of learning. In a world where free play and exploration are disappearing, WonderTrek inspires learning through hands-on adventures. Designed for children 12 and under, their families, caregivers, and educators, it's a place where children lead, parents recharge, and families reconnect. The first of WonderTrek's exhibits, environments and programs will be coming on line in Fall 2026. Its Outdoor Adventure is finally becoming a reality, set to open Fall 2026! Consisting of 9-acres of interactive exhibits, WonderTrek's Outdoor Adventure creates a place where children explore, play, and let their imaginations run wild. To further our reach, WonderTrek on Wheels brings the joy of learning through play to children and families across North Central Minnesota. From community parks to classrooms, corporate events to summer festivals, the WonderTruck and Trailer deliver hands-on fun and unforgettable adventures.
POSITION OVERVIEW
As the WonderTrek Learning Experience Manager, you play a critical role in bringing WonderTrek's mission to life by leading the planning and daily implementation of WonderTrek's approach to programming and day to day visitor experience. While managing and mentoring the Playworker team you will ensure visitor experience staff, volunteers, and program partners receive the support and resources to carry out WonderTrek's approach to creating meaningful play experiences that keep visitors coming back for more. Working closely with the Visitor Experience Director, you will be entrusted as a key member of the operations team, program development team and the management team, serving as a primary operational partner, helping transform ideas into meaningful experiences for children, families, schools, and community partners. The Learning Experience Manager partners with the visitor experience team to provide day-to-day leadership for implementing WonderTrek's visitor experiences, ensuring programs, events, field trips, birthday parties, and WonderTrek on Wheels experiences are thoughtfully planned, well-coordinated, and consistently centered on a strong image of the child. This role requires initiative, collaboration, sound judgment, exceptional organization, and a passion for creating environments where curiosity, creativity, and play thrive every day.
Responsibilities and Expectations:
The primary responsibility of the Learning Experience Manager is to lead and support the Playworker team while overseeing the planning, coordination, and successful delivery of WonderTrek's programming, visitor experiences, and daily operations. This role ensures every experience reflects WonderTrek's mission, values, and approach to child-led, play-based learning. Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, and support to the Playworker team while fostering a collaborative, positive, and mission-driven culture. Collaborate with the Visitor Experience Director to develop, implement, and continuously improve WonderTrek's programs, operations, and visitor experiences. Coordinate the scheduling, staffing, and successful execution of daily programming, field trips, birthday parties, WonderTrek on Wheels, special events, and other educational experiences. Build and maintain positive relationships with schools, families, community organizations, and program partners while serving as a primary point of contact for educational programming. Ensure program spaces, exhibits, materials, and supplies are organized, maintained, and ready for daily operations by overseeing inventory systems, purchasing, and program logistics. Support exceptional guest experiences by assisting visitors, resolving operational challenges, and modeling outstanding customer service. Serve as an active member of the program development team, contributing to the development and refinement of programs that reflect WonderTrek's approach to learning, focused on a strong image of the child. Identify and communicate connections between WonderTrek programs and Minnesota learning standards to help educators understand how WonderTrek experiences can complement classroom learning environments. Support the Evaluation Specialist in implementing the WonderTrek Inquiry process by providing leadership and coaching to the Playworker team throughout observation, reflection, and documentation activities and helping ensure the process is consistently integrated into daily practice. Collect, track, and analyze participation data, visitor feedback, and program outcomes to support evaluation, grant reporting, and continuous improvement. Promote a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment by ensuring staff follow operational procedures, safety practices, and WonderTrek standards. Stay informed of current research and best practices in play-based learning, child development, and museum education while encouraging continuous learning among the Playworker team. Demonstrate initiative, professionalism, accountability, and sound judgment while balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Other duties as assigned. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Minimum Qualifications:
Associate's degree in education, early childhood education, child development, business administration, public administration, recreation, human services, or a related field. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant professional experience may be considered. Minimum of three years of professional experience in education, child development, recreation, museum education, environmental education, nonprofit programming, or a related field. Demonstrated ability to organize multiple projects, schedules, and priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail. Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, educators, community partners, and colleagues. Ability to supervise, support, and collaborate effectively with a team while demonstrating initiative, sound judgment, and professionalism. Commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging environment for all children and families. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings, holidays, and special events. Ability to perform the physical demands of the position, including standing, walking, bending, lifting up to 50 pounds, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation. Must successfully pass a background check.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in education, early childhood, child development, recreation, museum studies, nonprofit management, or a related field. Experience supervising, coaching, mentoring, or developing employees or volunteers. Children's museum experience, or experience developing, coordinating, or evaluating educational programs, informal learning experiences, and community-based programming. Experience scheduling staff, coordinating events, or managing multiple operational logistics. Experience collecting, tracking, or analyzing participation data, visitor feedback, or program outcomes. Passion for play-based learning, outdoor education, and child-led exploration. Demonstrated leadership, initiative, and problem-solving skills with a commitment to continuous improvement. Experience working in nonprofit, museum, educational, or community-based organizations.
Full-time (32 hours/week). Schedule varies based on operational needs and includes weekdays, evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.
Compensation and Benefits:
Starting pay: $24 to $28 per hour depending on experience
Benefits:
Paid Time Off (PTO), ESST, and Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML). Health insurance stipend. Dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance. 401(k) with employer match. Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Professional development opportunities. If you're ready to inspire and be inspired, to make learning an adventure, and to join a team where your contributions truly make a difference, WonderTrek is waiting for you. by sending your resume, cover letter and references to aimee@wondertrekmuseum.org Let's make every day at WonderTrek an extraordinary adventure!
Pay:
$26.00 - $28.00 per hour
Benefits:
401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Professional development assistance Vision insurance
