Education Coordinator

Position: Education Coordinator

Classification: Non-exempt, part-time 

Work Location: Approximately 80% remote with 20% spent engaging with the local community and/or working at in-person events and workshops

Compensation: $22/hour

Hours: 10-20 hours per week not to exceed 20 hours per week except for during event weeks. 

Organization Summary: 

Handmade Arcade is the spark that ignited Pittsburgh’s robust maker community. Predating all other local craft-focused markets, including national markets like Etsy, Handmade Arcade has been a leader in Pittsburgh’s maker movement since 2004 and became a nonprofit in 2017. Handmade Arcade now hosts multiple markets each year and providing year-round workshops and educational opportunities for makers hoping to grow their businesses. Handmade Arcade is dedicated to Pittsburgh’s craft, maker, and arts community and is committed to improving quality of life and economic success for our region’s makers.

Mission 

Handmade Arcade empowers makers of all ages by providing them with professional development and connections to customers.

Vision

Handmade Arcade envisions an inclusive artistic community where all makers are empowered to share their craft and to achieve their creative potential and financial goals.

Values 

  • Anti-racism

  • Collaboration

  • Equity

  • Financial Sustainability

  • Transparency

Handmade Arcade champions collaboration, creativity, inclusivity, and innovation in our vibrant creative community. We empower artists and makers at all stages of their journey, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and encouraging fresh ideas and approaches.

Position Summary: 

The Education Coordinator is a new position responsible for supporting the implementation of Handmade Arcade’s annual maker accelerator programs and maker education and support programs.

Reporting Relationships: 

The Education Coordinator reports to Handmade Arcade’s Executive Director and works closely with the Program Operations Manager.

Responsibilities: 

Program Coordination and Implementation

  • Coordinate day-to-day operations of Handmade Arcade’s maker education & support programs (i.e. BIPOC Maker Accelerator program, Youth Maker Accelerator program, Maker Mentor Program, Maker Affinity Groups, and Crafted Conversations Education Series) 

  • Create program timelines and project plans for all maker education & support initiatives 

  • Serve as a primary point of contact for all education and support program participants

  • Create and update maker education & support program application materials and webpages 

  • Process program applications and manage maker accelerator program jurying processes alongside Program Operations Manager

  • Manage communications with guest speakers, workshop leads, program mentors, and other contributors to maker education & support programs

  • Track program metrics, attendance, participant progress and feedback, and program outcomes for grant reporting and program evaluation 

  • Support evaluation efforts through data collection and participant surveys 

  • Manage program budgets and track program expenses

  • Manage sourcing, purchasing, organizing, and delivering program supplies

Curriculum & Content Development

  • Work closely with the Program Operations Manager to develop and refine educational content for all maker education & support programs

  • Work closely with contracted artists and experts to develop and implement workshop lesson plans  

  • Lead all virtual and in-person Youth Maker Accelerator workshops and meetings 

  • Create and/or update education program materials, including toolkits, presentations, practice templates, and other resources that support maker professional development according to Handmade Arcade’s brand guidelines

  • Ensure maker education & support curriculum reflects diverse perspectives, is responsive to the communicated needs of makers, and addresses participation barriers faced by makers from historically marginalized backgrounds

Participant Support & Community Building

  • Build relationships with education program alumni and maintain and engaged community network of makers 

  • Connect program participants with relevant opportunities, resources, and support services 

  • Contribute content to the Maker’s Digest, a monthly maker e-newsletter 

  • Provide on-site support to maker accelerator program participants at in-person Handmade Arcade markets

Partnership & Outreach 

  • Lead grassroots marketing and outreach efforts and recruitment strategies for all maker education & support programs to grow participation numbers

  • Build relationships with community organizations, educational institutions, and arts partners 

  • Collaborate with Program Operations Manager and Development Manager on cross-promotional opportunities and integrated programming 

  • Represent Handmade Arcade at community events and arts gatherings as needed

Minimum Qualifications & Skills: 

  • Demonstrated commitment to Handmade Arcade’s values of anti-racism, equity, transparency, financial sustainability, and collaboration 

  • At least three years of experience in teaching, arts education, community engagement, and/or program coordination 

  • Knowledge of or ability to learn about the needs of creative entrepreneurs, makers, and artists building their small businesses 

  • Exceptional interpersonal communications, facilitation skills, and relationship-building abilities with diverse groups of people 

  • Commitment to high standards of customer service 

  • Ability to self-direct work and resourcefully work through challenges in fast-paced event environments 

  • Strong understanding of best practices related to teaching artistry, workshop implementation, and/or classroom management

  • Commitment to culturally responsive education practices 

  • Weekday daytime availability required for non-event periods, weekend and evening availability required for workshops and/or event periods 

  • High degree of technological competency and interest in new technology  (Handmade Arcade uses Squarespace, Google Drive, Neon CRM, Jotform, and other technology on a daily basis)

  • Ability to perform other related duties as needed and/or required

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Experience working with students ages 13-19 preferred 

  • Experience working with makers, artists, and creative entrepreneurs preferred

Essential Functions:

  • Move inside event venues of various sizes to communicate with program participants and event attendees 

  • Present in front of groups of people both in-person and virtually 

  • Move items weighing 25-35 pounds for workshops and events 

  • Operate a computer and other necessary event/office machinery, including copy machine, printer, and electronic payment device (i.e. point-of-sale system)

Other Requirements: 

  • Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance

  • Pennsylvania Criminal History Record

  • FBI Clearance

Handmade Arcade is committed to building a team that is reflective of our region’s diverse make-up of makers, customers, and collaborators. Candidates with disabilities, candidates who are BIPOC, and/or candidates who are members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community are encouraged to apply. 

Why It’s Great to Work for Handmade Arcade: 

  • Competitive hourly pay rate

  • Work remotely

  • Paid vacation and sick time 

  • 11 holidays 

  • Flexible schedule (sometimes includes evenings and weekends as needed for meetings and events) 

  • Independence and innovative thinking encouraged

  • Modest monthly reimbursement available for remote work expenses 

  • Collaboration with the region’s talented and robust maker, arts, and craft community and like-minded nonprofit organizations 

  • Supportive and engaged board of directors and volunteers 

  • Values-driven nonprofit committed to transparency and equity

How to Apply: 

Applications are due by February 9, 2026. Interested applicants should complete this application form. Upon completion of the application, applicants will also be asked to complete a separate, anonymous demographics survey. 

Handmade Arcade is an equal opportunity employer. Our success depends heavily on the effective employment of qualified people, regardless of their race, ancestry, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, veteran’s status, or any characteristic protected by law. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.