Camp Assistant Site Lead

Description

Thinkery is where Austin’s children and their families come to enjoy play-based, inquiry-rich, hands-on learning experiences. We believe that innovative, play-based, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning experiences are a powerful way for children to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and curiosity about the world around them. Our exhibits and programs encourage children—alongside their caregivers—to solve creative challenges, explore a variety of materials, and to develop new ways to complete unfamiliar projects. Through these activities, children gain the tools and confidence to develop and grow into enthusiastic, creative, lifelong STEAM learners and thinkers. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Assistant Site Lead is a key part of the Camp Admin Team who provides overall site support by leading the staff and day-to-day operations at their individual camp site in Mueller. This role is essential to maintaining a clean, organized, and safe environment for all staff and campers.  Assistant Site Leads coordinate between Camp Admin, caregivers, campers, and partners and must have excellent communication skills, customer service, and time management.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS  

• Oversee daily aftercare functions, parent communications, and camper experience. 
• Support camp staff, including Camp Educators, and provide feedback and communication about staff performance  
• Participate in interviewing and hiring Camp Educators.
• Be the first to respond to emergency situations and communicate as needed to the Admin Team. 
• Lead parent communications through daily/weekly in-person communications during pick-up. 
• Coordinate the organization of onsite supplies for aftercare programing.
• Act as a supportive Educator while in classrooms before aftercare. 
• Provide supervision in the classroom during aftercare.  
• Ensure the Site is adhering to Thinkery’s healthy and safety protocols, in accordance with Local, State and Federal public safety guidelines.  
• Serve as model educator during staff training and able to pivot into subbing in camp classrooms if need arises. 
• Support planning, organizing, and coordinating packing and delivery of camp materials to classrooms. 
• Provide behavior management support to educators, classes, and individual campers.  

COMPETENCIES 

• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet expected commitments. 
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives, backgrounds and cultures bring to an organization and Thinkery’s work.  
• Creates Connection: Building engagement and belonging in relationships across teams and with guests promoting a welcoming environment for all. 
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. 

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Confirmed full availability for 
• Pre-camp preparation: May 4 – May 22 
• Camp Educator training: May 25 - 29 
• Active camp program: June 1 – August 14 
• Post-camp wrap-up: August 17 – 21 
• Adaptability to problem solve and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.  
• Ability to lead teams in inquiry based and social/emotional learning. 
• Preference to bilingual applicants 
• Must be CPR certified or become certified within 1 week of hire (Thinkery will provide training). 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP 

• Reports to Site Lead 
• Supervises (if any): Camp Educators 
• Supports: Thinkery Camps 
• Peer collaboration (internal/external):  Camp Educators, Thinkery Admin, STEAM Educators, STEAM Learning Team 

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

Minimum Qualifications 

• Experience leading diverse teams 
• Experience with classroom and behavior management and supporting a diversity of learning styles in the same space. 
• Ability to uphold Educators to facilitation standards, ensuring the delivery of a quality program. 
• Organized with an eye for detail and excellent time management. 
• Familiarity with play-based learning practices in an informal setting. 
• High school diploma or equivalent experience 
• Confident problem solving skills. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience leading in an educational setting  
• Experience teaching or leading a summer camp preferred. 
• Familiarity with Tessitura, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel 
• Bi-lingual Spanish or American Sign Language a plus  
• Some college or college degree is a plus 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

This position is very active.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to: 

• Observe and react to the needs of campers, guests, staff, volunteers, and community partners. 
• Move throughout the museum and camp site 
• Manipulate and move exhibit components weighing up to 30 pounds, including those that may be low to the ground or above eye level  
• Communicate and exchange accurate information with guests, staff, volunteers, and community partners in various formats including in-person, electronically, and over the phone.  
• Detect and respond to safety hazards 
• Occasionally work in outdoor environments 
• Position Specific: Operate a provided cell phone to take calls from caregivers 

This job description should not be construed to imply these requirements are the only duties, responsibilities and qualifications for this job. Incumbents may be required to follow any additional related instructions, acquire related job skills, and perform other related work as required. This job description may be updated as needed. 

Thinkery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above listed items. All candidates offered a position will be required to submit to a background and reference checks.