Working at The Children’s Museum is a fun way to get involved in your community, to meet interesting people (and animals), to help children discover and learn new things, and to learn about science, nature, and the stars.
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Posted 03/24/2021
Seasonal Informal Educators- Summer 2021
The Children’s Museum in West Hartford is currently seeking Seasonal Informal Educators to join our team this summer!
Multiple Seasonal Educator positions are currently available at our West Hartford CT location. Length of position and required hours will differ depending on the specific educational role. All Summer Educator applicants should have a minimum of two years of College-level studies or career experience in; physics, chemistry, earth science, agriculture/horticulture, or other environmental or biological sciences. Experience engaging children in informal learning environments is expected along with a strong confidence level for communicating with their caregivers (parents, grandparents, and teachers). Applicants must be willing to commit to the duration of the position as stated in the descriptions below. All Applicants must successfully pass a background check.
Hours and salary vary by position.
Seasonal Outreach Science Educator
Description: The Summer Outreach Educator will work alongside our Education Coordinator and year-round Educators to develop and deliver hands-on science education programs within schools, libraries, and other community locations throughout Connecticut. Educators collaborate on the development of informal Science curriculum and hands-on activities and exhibits to ensure an overall positive learning experience that is tailored to the ages and experiences they are presenting to. Science topics include; Physics, Chemistry, Earth science, Biology, and Environmental Science. Strong knowledge of general science principles is expected.
Educators will routinely handle live animals during presentations. Adherence to all safety protocols will be required. This position requires confirmation of a clean driving record and the use of a personal vehicle, for which mileage reimbursement will be provided. This position is considered seasonal at approximately 40 hours per week and will fall between mid-June and August 21st. Only Applicants with consistent availability during this time will be considered for this role.
Rate: $13.00-$13.50/ hour
Summer Science Camp Educators
Description: The Children’s Museum has fun and learning planned throughout the year, even when the kids are out of school! In the summer the museum runs a multi-week summer day camp program for children in grades 1 thru 8. Each camp week has a science theme and is packed with scientific investigation, experiments, crafts, and educational games all in the safe and educational environment of our museum. The Science Camp Educator works alongside our Camp Manager to design, plan and implement hands-on activities in a fun day camp setting. Applicants working towards a science degree, with a solid understanding of general science principles are preferred. Education majors will also be considered. The Camp Educator works Monday through Friday Approximately 40 hours/week from Early to Mid June thru August.
Rate: $13.00-$13.50/ hour
QUALIFICATIONS FOR ALL EDUCATORS:
- Excellent customer service and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to the use of new technology and programs
- Understanding of inquiry-based teaching and learning.
- Proficiency with inquiry, object observation, and dynamic storytelling
- Ability to engage children, families, and caregivers in a welcoming, energetic, friendly, and professional manner.
- Ability to be flexible and assimilate feedback from colleagues and participants
- Demonstrated ability to successfully work independently as well as collaborating with others.
- Licensed driver with a safe driving record. Access to a personal insured vehicle in maintained condition required. (Not applicable to all seasonal informal educator positions.)
- Background checks must demonstrate that employees are appropriately qualified to engage with children and families in a public setting.
- Programs require the movement and transportation of animals, equipment, and supplies. Must be physically able to safely bend, stretch and lift up to 50lbs. Programs with children often require the need to work while sitting on the floor or bending to their level.
Additional preferred experience:
- Associate degree (acquired or in the process) preferred.
- 1 year of Teaching or Childcare experience is preferred.
To apply:
Send resume and cover letter including minimum hourly salary expectation to
E-mail: dbutterworth@thechildrensmuseumct.org
Or mail to:
The Children’s Museum
Attn: Dan Butterworth
950 Trout Brook Drive
West Hartford Ct. 06119
Phone: 860-231-2824
Posted 03/18/2021
Facilities Assistant
The Children’s Museum in West Hartford is currently seeking a Part-Time Facilities Assistant to join our team!
The position of Facilities Assistant will be to assist in routine housekeeping, outdoor grounds maintenance, exhibit, and building maintenance projects.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Entry-level part-time position requires approximately 20-28 hours a week, with opportunities to expand hours during seasonal peak times. Consideration is given to those applicants who are consistently available for weekend hours with flexible weekday availability. The ability to lift 50lbs and an understanding that this position requires both indoor and outdoor work is required. Tasks may include but are not limited to routine janitorial cleaning, seasonal outdoor ground maintenance, snow removal, painting, and assisting Museum Caretaker with exhibit and building maintenance projects. Candidates must show they can communicate effectively with a team, respond positively to instruction, be punctual and committed to good attendance and maintain a positive attitude with a pleasant personality shown to other staff and museum guests.
Department: Facilities/Exhibits
Reports to: Facilities Lead and Visitor Services Manager on Duty
Education required: Not specified
To apply:
Please print and return your completed application and resume to 950 Tout Brook Drive, West Hartford CT 06119. Drop off on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday 10 am – 2 pm. Please call 860.231.2824 before you arrive to coordinate the drop-off of your application with our front desk. If you are not able to schedule drop off Friday – Sunday please email your completed application and resume to HR@thechildrensmuseumct.org. In-person drop-off is preferred.
Click here to get your application.
Posted 03/10/2021
Animal Curator/Museum Experience Facilitator
The Children’s Museum in West Hartford is currently seeking a Part-Time Animal Curator/Museum Experience Facilitator to join our team!
As an Animal Curator/Museum Experience Facilitator, You will share responsibilities across our Wildlife Sanctuary and our Visitor Services Departments. Responsibilities will involve caring for the animals while educating guests about the residents in the Wildlife Sanctuary. In addition, you will cover shifts as a customer service liaison you will guide diverse learners through exhibit exploration and engaging experiences in STEM/STEAM topics. As a compassionate and nurturing customer-oriented member of the museum team, you will help individuals tap into their strengths and create a culture and love of learning. As a dynamic and energetic facilitator, you will make each child’s and families experience one that is informative, rewarding, and fun, alongside delivering compassionate care for our live animal ambassadors.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work within our museum’s animal sanctuary to complete daily animal husbandry, including cleaning, feeding, enrichment, and medication administration.
- Responsible for the development and delivery of wildlife sanctuary public and paid programming. As well as interacting with the public at the center and by phone regarding wildlife issues.
- Facilitate family activities and birthday celebrations in the Museum’s exhibits and programming spaces.
- Facilitate the process of admitting families and groups into the museum and successfully address customer service needs as they arise.
- Prepare exhibit manipulatives and materials for museum exploration and program delivery.
- Assist in disinfecting, cleaning, and maintaining program and exhibit spaces.
- Other duties as needed. Duties may be altered as the museum navigates its reopening phases during the COVID pandemic.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Previous experience in the animal care field.
- Excellent customer service and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to the use of new technology and programs
- Understanding of inquiry-based teaching and learning.
- Education, Zoology, Biology, or related coursework. Individuals with a strong STEM knowledge base combined with demonstrated successful experiences in facilitating informal science education with children will be highly considered.
- Proficiency with inquiry, object observation, and dynamic storytelling
- Ability to engage children, families, and caregivers in a welcoming, energetic, friendly, and professional manner.
- Ability to be flexible and assimilate feedback from colleagues and participants
- Demonstrated ability to successfully work independently as well as collaborating with others.
- Licensed driver with a safe driving record. Access to a personal insured vehicle in maintained condition required.
- Background checks must demonstrate that employees are appropriately qualified to engage with children and families in a public setting.
- Programs require the movement and transportation of animals, equipment, and supplies. Must be physically able to safely bend, stretch and lift up to 50lbs. Programs with children often require the need to work while sitting on the floor or bending to their level.
Additional preferred experience:
- Undergraduate degree (acquired or in the process) preferred.
Availability:
- This position will be scheduled for between 15-30 hours per week. Seasonal fluctuation in our programming occurs, with spring, summer, and school holiday periods seeing higher demand for museum programs and attendance. Late spring/summer and select holiday weeks can peak with occasional 40-hour workweeks.
- Routine weekend availability required with flexibility in additional days preferred.
- Must be available to work during our local area school holiday vacation periods.
To apply:
Send resume and cover letter including minimum hourly salary expectation to
E-mail: HR@thechildrensmuseumct.org
Or mail to:
The Children’s Museum
Attn: Beth Weller
950 Trout Brook Drive
West Hartford Ct. 06119
Phone: 860-231-2824
Posted 02/16/2021
Museum Experience Facilitator
The Children’s Museum in West Hartford is currently seeking a Part-Time Museum Experience Facilitator to join our team!
As a Museum Experience Facilitator, you will have the opportunity to educate through in-person, virtual, and outreach exploratory learning opportunities for children and families. You will guide diverse learners through exhibit exploration and engaging experiences in STEM/STEAM topics. As a compassionate and nurturing educator and customer service liaison, you will help individuals tap into their strengths and create a culture and love of learning. As a dynamic and energetic facilitator, you will make each child’s and family’s experience one that is informative, rewarding, and fun.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work within our museum’s education initiatives to design, develop and guide new curriculum and programming opportunities to meet our customer’s objectives.
- Facilitate programs for families and children in the Museum’s exhibits, programming spaces, and community locations throughout Connecticut
- Facilitate family activities and birthday celebrations in the Museum’s exhibits and programming spaces
- Facilitate the process of admitting families and groups into the museum and successfully address customer service needs as they arise.
- Prepare exhibit manipulatives and materials for museum exploration and program delivery
- Assist in disinfecting, cleaning, and maintaining program and exhibit spaces
- Willingness to travel using one’s personal vehicle to community locations throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts to deliver museum programming. (mileage for program travel is reimbursed by the museum)
- Other duties as needed. Duties may be altered as the museum navigates its reopening phases during the COVID pandemic.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Previous experience with young children (ages 3-12) in either formal education settings, informal education settings, museums, childcare, or recreational settings
- Excellent customer service and interpersonal communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to the use of new technology and programs
- Understanding of inquiry-based teaching and learning
- Education, Child Development, OR equivalent relevant experience. Individuals with a strong STEM knowledge base combined with demonstrated successful experiences in facilitating informal science education with children will be highly considered.
- Experience integrating age-appropriate STEM/STEAM concepts into teaching practice
- Proficiency with inquiry, object observation, and dynamic storytelling
- Ability to engage children, families, and caregivers in a welcoming, energetic, friendly, and professional manner
- Ability to be flexible and assimilate feedback from colleagues and participants
- Demonstrated ability to successfully work independently as well as collaborating with others
- Licensed driver with a safe driving record. Access to a personal insured vehicle in maintained condition required.
- Background checks must demonstrate that employees are appropriately qualified to engage with children and families in a public setting.
- Programs require the movement and transportation of equipment and supplies. Must be physically able to safely bend, stretch and lift up to 50lbs. in and out of vehicles. Programs with children often requires the need to work while sitting on the floor or bending to their level.
Additional preferred experience:
- Undergraduate degree (acquired or in the process) preferred.
- Visual or performing arts experience
- Background work or studies related to early childhood development, psychology, or social work
- Experience working with a diverse group of learners, including children who have special needs
Availability:
- Museum Experience Facilitators may see approximately 15-30 hours per week. Seasonal fluctuation in our programming occurs with spring, summer, and school holiday periods seeing higher demand for the facilitation of museum programs. Late spring/summer and select holiday weeks can peak with 40-hour workweeks.
- Routine weekend availability required with flexibility in additional days preferred.
- Must be available to work during our local area school holiday vacation periods.
To apply:
Send resume and cover letter including minimum hourly salary expectation to
E-mail: HR@thechildrensmuseumct.org
Or mail to:
The Children’s Museum
Attn: Beth Weller
950 Trout Brook Drive
West Hartford Ct. 06119
Phone: 860-231-2824
