Bell Museum Summer Camp Leader

About the Job

Bell Museum

Temp Casual Employment

Starting Salary: $20.00/hour

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

College: College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

Campus Location: Bell Museum, Twin Cities, St Paul Campus

Position Overview:

This position is responsible for facilitating educational experiences centered on environmental science, natural history, engineering, and astronomy. Responsibilities include delivering curriculum, working in a team environment, mentoring assistants, and creating a safe, engaging, age-appropriate and positive learning environment for campers.

Campers range from grades K-8 with camp sizes ranging from 12 (K) to 21.

This position includes following all Safety of Minors policies.

Duties and Responsibilities

Camp Content and Instruction (70%)

• Implement engaging week-long camps for up to twenty children per class using a provided curriculum that includes scientific experiments and interactive activities involving earth science, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, art, games, and more.

• Follow safety guidelines and practices to ensure that campers are safe at all times with ongoing supervision. Includes frequent hand washing and daily cleaning.

• Develop a personal teaching style to accommodate camper learning style(s).

• Provide direction and work collaboratively with Camp Assistants.

• Interact with campers, guardians, other staff, and the general public in a safe, respectful, and professional manner.

• Camp staff are required to follow all safety-related policies and procedures at all times.

Camp Prep and Administrative Tasks (20%)

• Regular check-ins with the Youth & Family Programs Coordinator.

• Manage set up, take down, and cleaning of camp activities, as well as maintain classroom facilities.

• Write a short bio to include in camp guardian communications.

• Conduct regular reflections/evaluations of the program and experiences.

• Communicating curriculum plans, feedback, and tasks to the Camp Assistant.

Other duties as assigned (10%)

• Complete other additional tasks as assigned by the Youth & Family Programs Coordinator and/or Education Programs Manager.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• B.A./B.S. in education, science, or other related program of study or a minimum of two years in college studying education, science, or other related plus two years of experience teaching youth.

• A minimum of two years experience leading children and carrying out curriculum in a formal or informal educational setting.

• Demonstrated understanding of basic science concepts, including astronomy and natural sciences.

• Experience working with persons from diverse backgrounds and learning styles.

Desired Qualifications

• Training or experience working in camps as a summer camp leader.

• Previous classroom teaching experience and/or possessing a teaching license.

• Experience working with youth and adults in a team environment.

• Master's degree in education, science or related field.

• Experience in working with youth with special needs, (e.g. on the autism spectrum, have ADHD, or have anxiety and/or depression).

• CPR and First Aid certified.

Hours, Pay, Other

Position start date: June 10, 2024

Position end date: August 21, 2024

Hours: 40 hours/week, for 7-10 weeks in the June 17, 2024 to August 21, 2024 time period

Monday-Friday

Camp Leaders will receive weeks they are scheduled to work before the beginning of Summer Camp season. Scheduled weeks are based on content expertise and availability.

Required staff training days:

Approximate 8 hours of training between June 3-7 to review curriculum

4-5 days (30-40 hours) of training to be scheduled between June 10 - 14. Times will vary

Pay rate: $20.00/hr

Other: Successfully passing a background check is a requirement for this position.

About the Department

The Bell ignites and sustains curiosity for nature and the universe

The Bell Museum is Minnesota's official natural history museum, established by the legislature in 1872 and held in trust by the University of Minnesota. For over a century, the museum has preserved and interpreted our state's rich natural history and served learners of all ages. Additionally, our scientific collections contain over one million specimens, representing every county in Minnesota and various locales around the globe, and the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Planetarium expands the mission to the universe and points beyond.

We are looking for individuals to join our team who are inspired by our mission to ignite curiosity and wonder, explore our connections to nature and the universe, and create a better future for our evolving world. We believe that difference is a strength and are looking for candidates that reflect and respect diversity. We encourage you to apply for the position even if you do not believe you meet every qualification.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Please include in your cover letter the dates you are unavailable between 06/17/2024 and 08/21/2024.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Questions about the position can be directed to Kate Sigurdson, ksigurds@umn.edu.

Diversity

We believe it is essential to create an environment that welcomes and empowers people from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities to have equitable access to the museum's resources as well as opportunities to transform our work. We are committed to upholding the diversity, equity, and inclusion definitions and values set forth by the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and the University of Minnesota.

These values will be integrated in all aspects of the museum, including:

• Hiring, recruitment, retention, and advancement of staff and volunteers

• Selection and evaluation of program and exhibition content

• Providing meaningful opportunities to participate in planning and leadership

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).