Youth Mentor

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh•Pittsburgh, PA

12d•$17•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. 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.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Art, Art Education or related field. Substitution of years of experience may be considered equivalent to formal educational training.
2+ years working with youth and teens, in formal and/or informal learning environments in a related field (e.g. fine art, creative art, interactive media, theatrical arts, education, etc.) required.
Prior experience working with, or familiarity with, tools and processes that include, but are not limited to: woodworking, digital art, metalworking, fiber, etc. required.
Interest and enthusiasm for working with youth, teens, educators and families.
Open-mindedness, flexible thinking, reflective, and ability to adjust expectations and actions as needed.
Classroom management.
Consistent engagement in personal growth of process, technique, fluency with materials, etc.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Walking, Standing, Bending, Kneeling, and Sitting: The duties and responsibilities associated with this position will require movement throughout the museum spaces to interact with visitors, educators, and to activate museum experiences.
Verbal Communication: This position frequently communicates with visitors while facilitating museum experiences. The MuseumLab Program Specialist will be expected to exchange accurate and helpful information and communicate issues to team members and supervisors.
Lifting: Occasional lifting and moving of furniture, equipment, and supplies weighing up to approximately 50 lbs. Regular lifting of items under 15 lbs.
Manual Dexterity: MuseumLab Program Specialist may operate various equipment, including but not limited to power tools, utility knives, art materials, etc.
FBI fingerprint results, PA Child Abuse History Certificate (Act 33), and PA State Criminal Record Check (Act 34) are required.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Develops hands-on art and making experiences collaboratively and independently for out-of-school time programs, organized groups, and visitors.
Acts as a visible and accessible, caring adult for youth, serving as a liaison between youth, their interests and potential programs of MuseumLab.
Facilitates field trips and hands-on workshops and experiences at MuseumLab for school groups and general visitors, as well as elective classes for Manchester Academic Charter School (MACS)
Ensures that tools and materials in the exhibit spaces are appropriately organized and prepared for workshop experiences.
Stages and prepares MuseumLab spaces prior to museum open or scheduled workshops and works with fellow education staff to reset spaces at the conclusion of workshops.
Assists in the inventory and control of supplies and equipment for youth and teen programs and maintenance of MuseumLab spaces.
Creates a warm, welcoming, and inclusive space for museum guests while staffing exhibits by greeting school groups and families, encouraging exploration and open-ended creating, and providing helpful information to guest inquiries.
Supports after-hours Education events and offsite outreach programs as needed.
Engages in regular staff training and professional development, and applies skills and information learned on a daily basis.
Positively and accurately represents the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and its programming initiatives to the community.
Participates in ongoing learning research and reflective practices.
Works with the public across other exhibit spaces within the Museum campus.
Closely monitors exhibit spaces for safety concerns, exhibit maintenance, and housekeeping needs, and communicates these needs effectively.
Follows Museum's safety and emergency policies and procedures.