Museum Experience Intern

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About Minnesota Children's Museum

Minnesota Children’s Museum’s mission is sparking children’s learning through play. We are dedicated to providing children with a hands-on and stimulating environment to explore and discover. With locations in St. Paul, Rochester, and the Mall of America, MCM employs 65 full-time and 65 part-time employees and engages over 1,300 volunteers annually. At MCM our workplace values that guide how we work together are: Play, Include, Grow, Serve and Strive.

Minnesota Children's Museum is dedicated to growing a diverse and culturally competent team of highly engaged staff and volunteers. Applicants from diverse populations are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Summary

This position is primarily responsible for delivering and facilitating drop-in activities for Museum visitors. These activities include but are not limited to: daily large movement programming, art materials based activities, tactile sensory activities, in-gallery activities, and activities during on and offsite special events. Other responsibilities include assisting with staff-led programs, working with volunteer youth play team, working with museum experience volunteers and working behind the scenes to ensure that program supplies are prepared and well-maintained.

Major Job Accountabilities

This is an estimate of the duties to be included in the internship. The exact duties and projects will be determined by mutual agreement of the intern and museum staff. All duties will be carried out with the direction and supervision of Museum Experience staff.

• Facilitate programs on and off-site following Museum best practices and program write-ups.
• Greet visitors and introduce activities. Provide developmentally appropriate interaction with adults and children in order to encourage learning through play and to spark ideas for activities to try at home
• Monitor and maintain program materials, supplies and program spaces throughout program
• Demonstrate and role model being playful, engaged, welcoming and inclusive of all visitors
• Make observations, ask open ended questions and pose challenges to extend children’s learning
• As needed: Provide assistance to adults and children, redirect undesirable behaviors and adapt programs for visitors of varying abilities and ages
• Provide regular feedback on programs using program assessment forms
• Program Preparations: Complete behind-the-scenes tasks as directed such as doing inventory, prepping program supplies, collecting and tabulating program logs, washing smocks, cleaning program spaces/supplies, and putting supplies away.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

1. Minimum of 40 hours working directly with children ages 1-8, preferably in a learning-focused environment (day-camp, pre-school/school, child-care center, after-school, tutoring, or informal learning environment such as a nature center or museum). The successful applicant will possess skills and knowledge related to working effectively with this age group.

2. Some post-secondary education in a related subject (education, child psychology, child development, communication, art or music therapy, museum studies, etc.) and an interest in a career related to early childhood, informal learning environments, education, or families.

3. Ability to work well with people in general, and to work effectively and comfortably in a variety of settings - from busy to slow.

4. Ability to follow directions, work independently and complete tasks and communicate in an effective manner.

5. Ability to use feedback on performance to improve effectiveness as a program facilitator.

6. Skill in taking initiative to find and complete additional tasks when assigned work is completed.

7. Preferable skills/experience: customer service, volunteer experience, leadership roles, experience working/volunteering in family-oriented environments (interacting with adults and children together).

Training Provided

1. Intern orientation
2. The Ways of Play training (Museum educational roots and visitor interaction skills)
3. Assignment specific training
4. Optional free training: Wakanheza

Applications accepted until position is filled. 4-5 interns needed.

Apply at:

https://mcm.clearcompany.com/careers/jobs/1051d807-ab9d-6d0e-1bc5-29488c09aa79/apply?source=504744-CS-23506