Maker Educator

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh•Pittsburgh, PA

40d•Onsite

About The Position

The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh provides innovative and inclusive museum experiences that inspire kindness, joy, creativity, and curiosity for all learners. We forge connections with artists, community partners, and neighbors to work on behalf of children, youth, and families. We have a vision to transform education. We believe people of all ages can benefit from different types of learning experiences. This is a Union position. Maker Educators develop and facilitate hands-on creative, authentic, and process-based experiences with youth, teens, families and groups, using the "real stuff" (tools, processes, materials) across the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh campus. These youth- and family-oriented, culturally-relevant projects associated with a variety of processes will respond to the community's needs and interests by supporting kindness, joy, creativity, and curiosity.

Requirements

Documentable experience working with children and youth in some manner of creative arts required.
Working with youth, teens, and families in formal and/or informal learning environments.
Personal experience with tool-based Making processes (e.g., metalworking, woodworking, rug tufting, sewing etc.).
Personal interest and background in facilitating experiences around making, design, and/or art.
Consistently engages in personal growth of process, technique, fluency with materials, etc.
Proven experience working with or collaborating with other creatives.
Proficiency in safely handling tools and equipment (e.g., saws, sewing machines, chemical baths, or other sharp, hot or otherwise potentially hazardous equipment).
Excellent communication, time management, and organization.
Willingness to grow, learn and adapt.
Analytical skill.
Collaboration and teamwork, including incorporating feedback and adjusting approaches based on experience.
FBI fingerprints (Department of Human Services), PA Child Abuse History Certification (Act 33), and PA State Criminal History Record Check (Act 34) clearances are required.

Nice To Haves

A background in traditional arts, craftwork, or technology preferred.
Bachelor's degree preferred.
Substitution of years of experience may be considered equivalent to formal educational training.

Responsibilities

Works as a part of a high-functioning and learner-centered Maker Education focused team.
Plans and implements experiences for a variety of audiences including school field trips, summer camps, workshops, drop-in programs, and other special events.
Brings enthusiasm and ideas to the ongoing development of programs and events in Maker Education.
Maintains a welcoming work area, including creating and upholding a high standard of safety and cleanliness for both visitors and staff, and monitoring and anticipating supply consumption.
Collaboratively and independently develops interactive learning experiences for Museum visitors, including working with the Education Department to combine varying expertise and disciplines.
Follows museum-identified best practices for creating and delivering exploratory, hands-on, and learner-driven experiences in an informal learning environment.
Acts as a visible and accessible caring adult for youth and families visiting the Children's Museum campus, exemplifying culturally-relevant practices with youth.
Generates potential programs based on the interests, input, and observations of visitors and program participants, as well as potential audiences.
Monitors and assists visitors, ensuring safe interactive experiences that involve tools and physical movement throughout exhibit spaces.
Participates in reflective practice, including research-oriented discussions with partners, artists, and youth.
Actively shares with, and learns from, a variety of peers, professionals, visitors, and others.
Represents the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and MuseumLab in a positive manner to the public, funders, and other stakeholders.
Participates in education ideation sessions.
Fosters a community valuing social justice and amplifying youth voice.
Works with the public across other exhibit spaces within the Museum campus.