Youth Mentor

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh•Pittsburgh, PA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Mentor works with the Senior Manager of MuseumLab to design, prepare, and facilitate developmentally appropriate art and making workshops for school groups, out-of-school-time programming, and weekend programming at MuseumLab, with a focus on middle school- and high school-aged youth. Programs include hands-on experiences with metalworking, woodworking, printmaking, fiber arts, technology, design, and other media. This is a union position classified as casual part time and paid at $17.00 per hour. The role also provides a caring, accessible presence for youth and helps connect their interests with MuseumLab programs. The Youth Mentor facilitates field trips, workshops, visitor experiences, and elective classes for Manchester Academic Charter School. They prepare, organize, and reset spaces, tools, and materials; help maintain supplies, equipment, and MuseumLab spaces; and create a welcoming, inclusive environment for guests. The position supports after-hours education events and offsite outreach as needed, participates in staff training and professional development, and contributes to reflective learning practices. Work takes place in a museum environment with regular interaction with the public, children, and families. Weekend availability for at least one day is required, and evening availability is occasionally required. Scheduled shifts range from 3 to 8 hours per day depending on programming needs. Reliable travel to scheduled shifts is required. Required clearances include FBI fingerprints (Department of Human Services), PA Child Abuse History Certification (Act 33), and PA State Criminal History Record Check (Act 34).

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Art, Art Education, or a related field; years of experience may be considered as a substitute for formal education.
At least 2 years of experience working with youth and teens in formal and/or informal learning environments in a related field, such as fine art, creative art, interactive media, theatrical arts, or education.
Prior experience working with, or familiarity with, tools and processes such as woodworking, digital art, metalworking, and fiber.
Interest and enthusiasm for working with youth, teens, educators, and families.
Open-mindedness, flexible thinking, reflectiveness, and the ability to adjust expectations and actions as needed.
Classroom management skills.
Consistent engagement in personal growth of process, technique, and fluency with materials.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including moving objects, regularly lifting or moving up to 15 pounds, and occasionally lifting or moving items up to 50 pounds with assistance.
Ability to use and maintain equipment in accordance with operating safety policies and procedures, including power tools, utility knives, and art materials.
Weekend availability for at least one day and occasional evening availability.
Reliable travel capabilities to arrive onsite and on time for scheduled shifts.
Required FBI fingerprints (Department of Human Services), PA Child Abuse History Certification (Act 33), and PA State Criminal History Record Check (Act 34) clearances.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading workshops or working in a classroom setting.
Awareness and understanding of cultural trends and youth interests and issues.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with others and independently develop hands-on art and making experiences for out-of-school-time programs, organized groups, and visitors.
Serve as a visible, accessible, caring adult for youth and connect their interests with potential MuseumLab programs.
Facilitate field trips, hands-on workshops, and experiences for school groups and general visitors, as well as elective classes for Manchester Academic Charter School (MACS).
Organize and prepare tools and materials in exhibit spaces for workshop experiences.
Stage and prepare MuseumLab spaces before opening or scheduled workshops, and reset spaces with education staff after workshops.
Assist with inventory and control of supplies and equipment for youth and teen programs and maintain MuseumLab spaces.
Create a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment by greeting school groups and families, encouraging exploration and open-ended creating, and responding helpfully to guest inquiries.
Support after-hours Education events and offsite outreach programs as needed.
Participate in regular staff training and professional development and apply learned skills and information in daily work.
Represent the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and its programming initiatives positively and accurately to the community.
Participate in ongoing learning research and reflective practices.
Work with the public across other exhibit spaces within the Museum campus.
Monitor exhibit spaces for safety concerns, exhibit maintenance, and housekeeping needs, and communicate those needs effectively.
Follow the Museum's safety and emergency policies and procedures.