Current Openings
Discovery Center Education Lead
Title: Discovery Center Education Lead
Status: Part-time, non-exempt
Reporting Relationship: Supervised by Assistant Education Director
Position Description:
The Education Lead will assist the Assistant Education Director and Discovery School Director with running both Discovery School programs and out-of-school Public Programs for learners in Springfield and surrounding areas.
Scheduled Responsibilities Include:
In-House Education Programs – Teach in-house programs that are generally 30 – 45 minutes long to grades pre-k-12. A variety of topics are offered. In addition, summer workshops are offered at DCS from June-August. Develop curriculum and teach summer classes.
Distance Learning – Conduct educational courses via video conferencing through an effective, highly engaging, enthusiastic instructional presence. Classes come on a “virtual field trip” to DCS and learn chemistry, physics, biology, earth/environmental science, geography, and culture.
Aftercare Lead – Provide a safe, responsible, well-supervised after-school program while acting as a positive adult role model. Leads will develop engaging activities to encourage creative, STEM and self-confidence; encourage movement and promote all forms of learning and socialization for mixed-aged group children.
School Support – Supervise student lunch, recesses, assist with first aid needs, develop prevention and intervention strategies alongside the Discovery School Director to assist teachers with classroom management and assist school operations and responding to teachers’ inquiries and concerns.
Essential Requirements:
- Help lead a group of 10-20 students in an instructional setting, maintaining high standards for behavior and safety.
- Actively work, always monitoring students to ensure that they are emotionally and physically life guarded.
- Serves as a positive adult role model for children in the program through appropriate dress, speech, attitude, and courtesy.
- Ability to use technology for curriculum research, program development and group instruction (i.e., E-mail, Microsoft Office, Internet).
- Maintain cleanliness in all program areas; assist with the setup and breakdown during program day to contribute to ongoing maintenance in an effort to keep the school or community site clean and orderly.
- Maintain student safety by ensuring that students are signing in and out of the program and maintaining an accurate program roster daily.
- Maintain accurate student attendance rosters with roll call and continuous group counts- administering mandatory roll calls minimally at every rotation.
- Support Discovery School needs in terms of substituting, supervising recess or carline when necessary.
- Display an effective instructional leadership presence for programs, establish rapport with students and teachers, and create an inclusive learning environment enthusiastically and professionally.
- Become exceptionally familiar with programs and able to present for such groups as field trips, scout groups, home-school, summer workshops, assemblies, and professional development opportunities.
- Timely review and response to all communication, including electronic communication.
- Assure that program components are complete, including acquiring supplies, cleaning and restocking program kits after teaching.
Discovery Center Expectations: Each employee will achieve competency in:
- Comprehending and displaying the mission, objectives, philosophy, policies, programs, operational standards and procedures of the Discovery Center.
- Possessing an out-going attitude with a willingness to work in a non-traditional setting with children and adults.
- Meeting goals and objectives on a timely basis under pressure of many priorities and deadlines.
- Communicating the written and spoken word with tact, diplomacy, and/or authority when necessary.
- Balancing working independently and being a team player.
- Expanding use of existing resources to counter limited funds.
- Having ability to multitask and be flexible.
- Demonstrating an ability to problem solve, answer questions, and evaluate results of performance.
- Abiding by DCS’s Personnel Policy Guidelines, emergency procedures, and safety protocols.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in science, education or related field from an accredited college or university is preferred
- Minimum of 2 years experience working with children, preferably in an educational setting with knowledge of educational techniques, classroom management and child development.
- Strong background of broad knowledge in basic science, engineering and math, or research is helpful.
Apply:
Please apply via LinkedIn or by emailing resumes to Riana Clark at rclark@discoverycenter.org
Discovery Center STEM Instructor
Title: Discovery Center STEM Instructor
Status: Part-time, non-exempt
Reporting Relationship: Supervised by Director of Education
Note: Weekend and evening availability needed and hours flexible based on programming
Position Description:
The STEM Instructor will assist the Education Director with the research, development, teaching, and evaluation of the museum’s STEM education programs that inspire lifelong learning both on and off-site. Examples of programs include:
Outreach Teaching – Providing innovative and interactive in-school instruction on standard-aligned STEM topics which enrich classroom teaching. Requires travel to various school sites, libraries or other community events within a travel distance of 2 hours of driving time.
Distance Learning – Conduct educational courses via video conferencing through an effective, highly engaging, enthusiastic instructional presence. Classes come on a “virtual field trip” to DCS and learn chemistry, physics, biology, earth/environmental science, geography, and culture.
In-House Education Programs – Teach in-house programs that are generally 30 – 45 minutes long to grades pre-k-12. A variety of topics are offered. In addition, summer workshops are offered at DCS from June-August. Develop curriculum and teach summer classes.
Summer of Science- Lead entertaining hands-on science themed summer camps. The STEM Educator is responsible for maintaining clean camp environments, writing and facilitating camp activities. (Seasonal)
Essential Skills/Expectations:
- Approaches learning and play opportunities with creativity
- Comfortable working independently
- Develop and implement outstanding educational programs and interactive hands-on activities that align with national standards.
- Display an effective instructional leadership presence for programs
- Establish rapport with students and teachers
- Create an inclusive learning environment enthusiastically and professionally.
- Become exceptionally familiar with programs and able to present for such groups as field trips, scout groups, home-school, summer workshops, assemblies, and professional development opportunities.
- Ability to use technology for curriculum research, program development and group instruction
- Collaborate with DCS staff, interns, volunteers, student docents, Board members, and community partners as a member of a team to expand the educational opportunities offered through DCS.
- Assure that program components are complete, including acquiring supplies, cleaning and restocking program kits after teaching.
- Maintain neat and orderly classrooms, museum exhibit space, program kits, and shared office space.
- Play a significant role in developing and implementing participant recruitment strategies.
- Submit plans, documentation, and evaluations to Education Director in a timely manner.
Travel Requirements:
- Maintain a valid driver’s license that has not been restricted, revoked, or suspended
- Maintain reliable transportation to enable travel to offsite visits within 2 hour driving range, or ability to rent a vehicle, with proof of vehicle insurance maintained on a current basis.
- Able to stand for long periods of time in making presentations.
- Must be able to drive for up to 2-hour periods of time.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in science, education or related field from an accredited college or university is preferred.
- Minimum of 1 year experience working with children, preferably in education setting with knowledge of educational techniques, classroom management and child development.
- Strong background of broad knowledge in basic science, engineering and math, or research is helpful.
Apply:
Please apply via LinkedIn or by emailing resumes to Riana Clark at rclark@discoverycenter.org
Aftercare Lead
Title: Aftercare Lead
Type of Employment: Part-time
Supervised by: Assistant Director of Education/Aftercare Director
Position Description:
The Discovery School Aftercare Lead will provide a safe, responsible, well-supervised after-school program while acting as a positive adult role model. Leads will develop engaging activities to encourage creative, STEM and self-confidence; encourage movement and promote all forms of learning and socialization for mixed-aged group children.
Essential Requirements:
- Help lead a group of 10-20 students in an instructional setting, maintaining high standards for behavior and safety.
- Actively work, always monitoring students to ensure that they are emotionally and physically life guarded.
- Serves as a positive adult role model for children in the program through appropriate dress, speech, attitude, and courtesy.
- Ability to use technology for curriculum research, program development and group instruction (i.e., E-mail, Microsoft Office, Internet).
- Maintain cleanliness in all program areas; assist with the setup and breakdown during program day to contribute to ongoing maintenance in an effort to keep the school or community site clean and orderly.
- Maintain student safety by ensuring that students are signing in and out of the program and maintaining an accurate program roster daily.
- Maintain accurate student attendance rosters with roll call and continuous group counts- administering mandatory roll calls minimally at every rotation.
- Support Discovery School needs in terms of substituting, supervising recess or carline when necessary.
- Any additional duties related to the after-school program as assigned by the Assistant Director of Education
Work Environment
- This position requires a person who can work with many distractions, interruptions and still accomplish their objectives and meet established deadlines.
- Proper resource and equipment management are integral components to make the position successful
- Staff and student supervision is a key requirement; the Aftercare Lead must be able to implement activities, while maintaining program safety.
- Ability to communicate effectively and demonstrate sensitivity with others
Discovery Center Expectations: Each employee will achieve competency in:
- Comprehending and displaying the mission, objectives, philosophy, policies, programs, operational standards and procedures of the Discovery Center.
- Possessing an outgoing attitude with a willingness to work in a non-traditional setting with children and adults.
- Meeting goals and objectives on a timely basis under pressure of many priorities and deadlines.
- Communicating the written and spoken word with tact, diplomacy, and/or authority when necessary.
- Balancing working independently and being a team player.
- Expanding use of existing resources to counter limited funds.
- Abiding DCS’s Personnel Policy Guidelines, emergency procedures, and safety protocols.
Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or GED Required
- Must pass criminal background check and fingerprinting
- At least six months experience working with youth in a classroom, after school, or recreation environment
- Excellent communication skills
Apply:
Please apply via LinkedIn or by emailing resumes to Riana Clark at rclark@discoverycenter.org