Camper Support Lead - Summer Camps 2022 Seasonal position

Imagine yourself here. Be a part of something great at Science Museum of Minnesota.

The Science Museum of Minnesota believes in the diversity of our community – diversity generates ideas, inspires creativity and is essential to building a positive workplace. As an Employer of Choice we hire and keep the best employees by valuing differences, creating a collaborative work environment, and providing promotional and career development opportunities. Read our Statement on Equity and Inclusion.
Leading with science and with our equity value in mind, the Science Museum will require all staff and volunteers to show proof of being fully vaccinated or provide weekly proof of a negative COVID-19 test beginning January 21, 2022. Please note, all information is subject to change should guidance from local, state, or federal entities require it.

Join our* STEM Ed team* as a* Camper Support Lead* and help us to support our summer camp program by providing small group and one-on-one support for youth participants, mentorship for youth staff, consultation for adult staff, communication with parents and primary caregivers regarding any incidents, and tracking of behavior reports. Serve as an expert resource and key support for the delivery of learning experiences that translate STEM concepts that center equity into facilitated learning experiences that are inclusive, engaging, fun, and educational for a broad range of learners. This position will work closely with the Summer Camp Leadership Team to provide a safe, developmentally appropriate learning environment, manage student behavior, and serve as a positive role model for youth. This position reports to and works in collaboration with the Manager of Learning and Instruction for the department.

Work Environment & Schedule: Work both indoors in classroom settings and outdoors in all climate types, surrounded by more than 100 children. Hours of work – Ability to work Monday through Friday and occasional evenings and/or weekends during summer. This position will be assigned to work both onsite at the Science Museum in Saint Paul and offsite at locations within the Twin Cities metro area.
Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Broaden and strengthen knowledge and application of behavior management techniques within the goals of the summer camp program.
• Attend to the emotional needs of program participants, engage in active listening, demonstrate empathy and communicate any issues to the Summer Camp Leadership Team.
• Encourage participants’ engagement and enthusiasm in program activities by modeling behavior expectations and helping to create a positive learning environment.
• Understand and use appropriate diversity, equity, access, and inclusion strategies when working with learners with special needs and from diverse backgrounds. Work to ensure our Summer Camp programs are reflective of SMM’s Equity Value and Equity and Inclusions Statement.
• Advocate for participants and provide small group and one-on-one care and supervision for youth who need extra assistance or accommodations, especially learners with special needs.
• Work with youth to develop their skills in organization, communication, emotional regulation, and problem-solving.
• Using a holistic approach, respond to the emotions of a camper, help them de-escalate, and introduce behaviors and skills for the camper to use.
• Troubleshoot and handle any health, accident, or discipline problems or questions; serve as lead and first point of contact with internal partners, such as department staff and Visitor Relations Security (VRS) to ensure positive outcomes for all.
• Collect, process, and monitor behavior incident and medical incident reports. Organize and share this data with Summer Camp leadership team.
• Develop and implement proactive and preventative strategies where appropriate. Follow up with youth who need additional support.
• Communicate directly with parents and caregivers (in person or by phone) about behavior, health, injuries, and other issues or concerns regarding program participants.
• Build relationships with Instructors, Program Team Leads, and other Program Staff. Provide peer mentoring and support on best practices for participant support. Seek to provide a safe, predictable environment for youth.
• 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.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years old.
• No formal education is necessary
• Ability to speak and write English clearly and fluently and convey information effectively.
• Documented experience providing one-on-one childcare and leading groups of children (preschool, school age, or young adult).
• Documented experience working directly with stakeholders or parents and providing excellent customer service.
• Demonstrated knowledge of age-appropriate behavior management and conflict resolution for preschool, school age, and family audiences.
• Experience working with youth from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Demonstrated aptitude for creativity, curiosity, passion, enthusiasm, integrity, and a strong professional ethic.

*
Preferred Qualifications: *

• Experience working with special education students.
• Cultural competency and experience working with diverse communities.
• Willingness to be open and respectful of all backgrounds.
• Fluency in language(s) other than English valued (Hmong, Somali, Spanish).

Starting rate: $18 hourly / Depending on Qualifications.

The job duties describe the general nature and level of work assigned to this position and is 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. We offer benefit packages_ for full-time and part-time employees._

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 per hour