Education Specialist - Museum jobs in Minnesota

The Program Counselor leads an assigned group of youth participants ages 3-16 in Science Museum summer camps, classes, and other educational events. The Program Counselor is responsible for behavior management, encouraging interest and participation, creating an efficient and positive learning environment for program participants, leading group activities, attending to customer needs, and acting as a role model for appropriate behavior and safety. Work will be done independently and in collaboration with other team members and under the direction of a Program Team Lead. This position will be assigned to work onsite at the Science Museum in Saint Paul, offsite at locations within the Twin Cities metro area, and in virtual camps as needed.

Job Duties & Responsibilities 

1. Assist Instructors and participants with science, technology, engineering, and math related educational activities and group interactions during classes, camps, and events.

2. Encourage participants' engagement and enthusiasm in program activities by modeling behavior expectations and helping create a positive learning environment.

3. Use appropriate strategies when working with learners with special needs and from diverse backgrounds. 

4. Organize, lead, and supervise large group icebreakers and recreational activities that build a sense of community among assigned groups of program participants.

5. Monitor program participants to ensure they are actively engaged and grasping curricular concepts, proactively assist Instructors and participants with activities, and recommend Instructor or Team Lead intervention when appropriate.

6. Attend to the emotional needs of program participants, engage in active listening, demonstrate empathy, help if you are able, and communicate any issues to the Instructor or Program Team Lead.

7. Contribute to the general upkeep of the program space by participating in set up and organization of program space and classrooms.

8. Organize and distribute educational materials and supplies and assist Program Team Lead with logistics and paperwork as needed. 

9. Provide excellent customer service and contribute to a positive and welcoming environment, including welcoming the participants/customers, responding to special requests, providing general museum information, and solving problems.

10. Alert Instructors, Program Team Lead, and/or Museum Public Safety (MPS) of any health, accident, or safety. Work in collaboration with MPS and STEM Education staff to complete any necessary reports. 

11. Understand and keep current on all safety and emergency procedures through established annual training. Follow and model all policies and procedures to ensure all safety precautions are adhered to; ensure program participants do the same. 

12. Work cooperatively, professionally and respectfully in the team environment. Display enthusiasm for department programs, encourage positive interactions through the duration of the program, and promote positive morale and camaraderie.

13. Strengthen knowledge and application of behavior management techniques and group leadership dynamics within the goals of the programs. 

14. Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Required Competencies  

1. Communication: Expresses oneself clearly in conversations and interaction with others and ensures that information is shared with others who should be informed. 
2. Collaboration: Develops, maintains, and strengthens partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.
3. Customer Service: Demonstrates an understanding of the SMM mission by ensuring that their own interactions with internal and external customers consistently support the mission.
4. Fostering an Inclusive Community: Contributes to a museum environment, and people, that reflect and respond to the diverse needs and cultures of our community (internal and external). 
5. Results Orientation: Focuses on providing a best in class visitor experience through work outcomes by meeting personal and organizational work objectives. 

Minimum Qualifications 

1. Education: Must be at least 15 years old; in process of obtaining high school diploma/GED preferred.
2. Experience: 
   • Documented experience providing one to one childcare and/or leading groups of children (preschool, school age, or young adult). 
   • Documented ability to contribute in educational team settings. 
   • Documented experience working with stakeholders or parents and providing excellent customer services.
   • Ability to speak and write English clearly and fluently and convey information effectively. -Demonstrated knowledge of age appropriate behavior management for preschool and school age audiences. 
   • Demonstrated aptitude for creativity, curiosity, passion, enthusiasm, integrity, and a strong professional ethic. 
3. Work Environment: Work both indoors in classroom settings and outdoors in all climate types, surrounded by more than 100 children.
4. Hours of work: Ability to work Monday through Friday during summer. Occasional evening and weekend hours available. 

Compensation: $15.00/hour

The job duties and responsibilities listed describe the general nature and level of work assigned to this position and are not an exhaustive list. For some positions, detailed procedures may be outlined in supplemental documents. 

We exist to turn on the science and inspire learning, inform policy and improve lives. We envision a world in which all people have the power to use science to make lives better. We value science as an essential literacy and strive for inclusion inside and out so that our museum and our people reflect and respond to the diverse needs and cultures of our community. It is the museum’s policy and practice to hire and promote qualified job seekers from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.