Seasonal Play & Learning Facilitator

Chicago Childrens Museum•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Seasonal Play & Learning Facilitator provides daily staffing for Chicago Children’s Museum exhibits, programs, and events. The role supports highly interactive and educational visitor experiences for people from a variety of backgrounds, abilities, experiences, and perspectives, with young children and their families as the primary audience. Facilitators provide welcoming, inclusive customer service; model positive and respectful play; maintain engaging and safe exhibit environments; and help visitors understand the educational value of museum exhibits and programs. The position is part-time, non-exempt, and seasonal, with an estimated end date of January 3, 2027, and potential to renew. It averages 15–27 hours per week on a varied schedule that includes weekends, with required availability during the peak operating season from December 21–January 3, 2027. The position is based on-site at Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier and pays $18.03 per hour. Mandatory meetings must be attended. A uniform polo shirt is provided.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience working with children and families in a customer service environment or similar role; relevant paid, unpaid, volunteer, and community work counts.
Interest and ability in working with children and families from a variety of backgrounds, abilities, experiences, and perspectives.
Enthusiastic, outgoing, and energetic approach, with willingness to play and facilitate engaging experiences.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain the educational content and value of exhibits and programs.
Comfort addressing large groups and interacting one-on-one with visitors.
Ability to communicate via walkie-talkie.
Good interpersonal and organizational skills, including ability to accept and apply feedback, work without constant supervision, and work well on a team.
Sensitivity and sound judgment in working with colleagues, and ability to bring issues or concerns to appropriate supervisors.
Enthusiasm for ongoing learning and mastering new skills; willingness to complete institution-offered courses, certifications, or training and to work within and learn about DEAI frameworks.
Equity mindset and cultural humility.
Physical stamina to stand on the museum floor all day while maintaining quality interactions with staff and visitors.
Ability to crawl and climb exhibit structures; bend, lift, and reach to access supplies; and push, pull, and lift up to 40 pounds.
Ability to communicate courteously and repeatedly with visitors and staff, including speaking loudly over crowds.
Adequate use of a PA system and communication radios.
Ability to work in and withstand loud, crowded spaces.
Availability for a varied schedule that includes weekends and during the specified peak operating season.
Compliance with the required dress code.

Nice To Haves

Coursework in early learning through elementary education (ages 0–10).
Bilingual skills.

Responsibilities

Provide excellent, inclusive customer service and help visitors understand the museum, its philosophy, exhibits, and programs; engage supervisors when necessary.
Model positive, educational, creative, and respectful ways for children and caregivers to interact through play.
Create and maintain a comfortable, safe, and engaging physical environment for adults and children.
Assist with opening and closing exhibits and stations, and reset environments throughout the day.
Follow established health and safety protocols to keep museum spaces safe, clean, and healthy.
Manage visitor traffic flow and exhibit capacity, including visitor queuing, check-in, and emergency situations as appropriate.
Support, train, and mentor new play and learning facilitators and volunteers.
Uphold diversity, equity, access, and inclusion principles in work with colleagues and visitors.
Attend required staff meetings, including daily opening and closing meetings, monthly Guest Connections meetings, museum-wide meetings, and other relevant meetings.
Staff special events and offerings as assigned.
Communicate with visitors and staff using walkie-talkies and the PA system as needed.