Camps Assistant Educator

Department:  Camps

Reports to: Education and Camp Programs Supervisor

FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt

Position Summary

The Camps Assistant Educator will work with a Camps Lead Educator in facilitating safe, interactive science camps to school age children to spark lifelong curiosity, and significantly enhance the participant’s experience and expand Pacific Science Center’s role as a driving force for science education. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Work with the Camps Lead Educator to facilitate interactive STEM camps of various themes
• Model safe, effective and equitable science facilitation methods
• Assess risk and ensure camper safety including responding to first aid situations
• Exhibit effective and appropriate classroom and behavior management
• Support with setting up, maintaining, and cleaning classroom area and camp supplies
• Supervise campers during lunch and breaks, providing recreational activities as needed
• Comply with all camp procedures and other health and safety policies and support campers and others in the camp space with doing the same
• Support Camps Lead Educator in maintaining supply and attendance records including confidential health information
• Provide feedback and program evaluation to Camps for Curious Minds leadership
• Welcome and assist campers and guardians during drop-off/pick-up, answer questions, and convey necessary information
• Communicate guest feedback and concern to Camps for Curious Minds leadership
• Assist Camps Lead Educator in writing daily camp letters to communicate program activities to families and caregivers
• Fill in for Camps Lead Educator in their absence to effectively lead classrooms
• Complete incident reports when needed.
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Knowledge of (or the ability to learn):

• Basic science content
• Customer service best practices
• Behavior management best practices

Skills:

• Working with children in a youth development, camps, or education setting
• Classroom management skills including teaching/facilitating, modeling appropriate behaviors, program set up and clean up, and using appropriate behavior management
• Work effectively and respectfully with people from different cultural backgrounds
• Flexibility and adaptability in rapidly changing environments
• Excellent customer service skills
• Multitask and prioritize with sound judgement, including ability to organize multiple projects.

Ability to:

• Supervise campers unaccompanied for periods of time
• Ensure campers of all ages and from diverse backgrounds are safe, welcomed and served in a manner that makes their experience positive, memorable and consistent with the Pacific Science Center’s mission, vision, and values
• Approach each interaction individually and without expectation or judgment of content knowledge, level of interest, or background in science
• Remain calm in fast-paced environments
• Take initiative and act independently, as well as within a team
• Quickly learn and apply new content, policies, and procedures
• Maintain safety and security procedures at all times

Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrated teaching experience and classroom management skills, solid problem solving and decision-making skills
• High School Diploma or equivalent experience
• Attending and completing training sessions before start of summer camps
• Experience working with youth from grades Pre-K – 8th
• First Aid/AED/CPR certification or willingness to obtain
• WA State Food Handlers permit or willingness to obtain
• Available to work a minimum of 6 full weeks of the summer season (June 22-August 28)

Preferred

• Informal education experience
• Past summer camp experience
• Passion for science education and early child development
• At least 18 years of age at the start of camp
• Associate’s/Bachelor’s degree (or currently in pursuit) or equivalent experience
• Available to work all 10 weeks of the summer season (June 22-August 28)

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• This is a temporary, full-time summer position that begins before the start of camps
• Due to a variety of camps and locations, hours can vary daily, typically totaling 40 hours per week during the camp season
• Some camps are full day while others are half day, this position remains full-time
• Uniform T-shirts are provided and required to be worn while on the job

The workplace environment can vary but will typically involve the ability to travel with a group of students and staff throughout classroom, outdoor, camp, community, and museum spaces. Travel is sometimes required to accommodate various camp activities. Other physical demands of the position could include the ability to stand/walk/sit, lift 50 lbs. (lunch/material tubs – unassisted), kneel/squat/bend/reach, carry/climb (will often load, unload and carry cartloads of lesson materials and supplies), work outside in the weather including heat/cold, and exposure to dust, fumes, chemicals (liquid nitrogen, helium and hydrogen gas, dry ice, acids and bases, irritants, latex). 

This position description generally describes the principal functions of the position and the level of knowledge and skills typically required.  It does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee, and it is subject to change as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.