Camp Educator

Thinkery is where Austin’s children and their families come to enjoy play-based, inquiry-rich, hands-on learning experiences. We believe that innovative, play-based, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning experiences are a powerful way for children to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and curiosity about the world around them.  Our exhibits and programs encourage children—alongside their caregivers—to solve creative challenges, explore a variety of materials, and to develop new ways to complete unfamiliar projects. Through these activities, children gain the tools and confidence to develop and grow into enthusiastic, creative, lifelong STEAM learners and thinkers. 
 

POSITION SUMMARY As a Camp Educator, you will share your enthusiasm and passion for play-based STEAM learning by activating Thinkery's curriculum and facilitating inquiry-based activities and design challenges, all with the goal of supporting campers as they expand their problem-solving potential, learn new skills, and unleash their creativity.  You will work with a team of 1-2 other educators to provide up to 25 campers grouped by age ranging from kindergarten– 5th grade a fun, safe summer experience. These positions offer a range of dates and locations, including Meredith Learning Lab and Indeed Domain.
 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Collaborate with co-educators to facilitate hands-on, play-based STEAM experiences in a camp classroom.
• Adapt and select play-based, engaging activities to align with quirky weekly themes, to fit camper experience, and to accommodate individual camper’s needs. 
• Model hands-on, inquiry-based facilitation techniques for campers and colleagues. 
• Constantly assess group dynamics and the needs of individual campers to provide customized leadership, energy, and camp spirit for the campers and your educator team in all museum and camp spaces. 
• With your team, work through camper behavioral challenges and classroom management of up to 25 campers. 
• Ensure the safety of participants at the camp location and on field trips and communicate with the team as challenges arise. 
• Keep camp supplies organized for the campers in the classroom and for the educators in the camp supply spaces.
• Provide excellent customer service to all Thinkery guests and patrons. 
• Ensure your camp group is adhering to Thinkery’s healthy and safety protocols, in accordance with Local, State and Federal public safety guidelines. 

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Days and hours of work are largely Monday through Friday within normal business hours, 8am-5pm. 
• Able to work 5 weeks or more Monday-Friday between May 27^th and Aug 4^th.
• Actively practice Thinkery’s health and safety protocols. Thinkery requires new staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at the time of their on-boarding with exemptions available for medical need.
• Other duties as assigned

COMPETENCIES

• Community Focus: Building strong community relationships and delivering community-centric solutions      
• Ensures Accountability:  Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments
• Collaborates:  Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
• Values Differences:  Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization
• Nimble Learning:  Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (specific list of qualifications that a person needs to perform this specific role)

• Adaptability to problem-solve and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.  
• Understanding of or willingness to learn hands-on STEAM activities such as: soldering, circuitry, working with power tools, sewing, robotics, etc. 
• Must have reliable transportation to and from the job site, to arrive by 8:00AM and leave by 5:00PM. 
• Must be CPR/First Aid certified or become certified within 1 week of hire (Thinkery will provide training). 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

• Reports to Site Lead
• Supports: Thinkery Camps
• Peer collaboration: Camp Staff, Camp Partners, Thinkery Admin

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

• Minimum Qualifications
  • High School Diploma or equivalent experience
  • Joy for learning, education, and/or STEAM practices
  • Works well in a fast-paced and changing work environment
  • Experience working with children
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience providing behavior management for learners age 5-12
  • Ability to facilitate activities within a large group of learners
  • Ability to schedule activities based on changing individual and group needs
  • Ability to adapt and pivot when faced with obstacles
  • Some college or college degree is a plus
  • Bi-lingual Spanish or American Sign Language a plus

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This position is very active.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Observe and react to the needs of guests, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Move throughout the museum
• Manipulate and move exhibit components weighing up to 25 pounds, including those that may be low to the ground or above eye level
• Communicate and exchange accurate information with guests, staff, volunteers, and community partners in various formats including in-person, electronically, and over the phone. 
• Detect and respond to safety hazards
• Occasionally work in outdoor environments

Salary : $16 - $17