OMSI Early Childhood Education Volunteer Educator (age 18+)

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Position Summary: Science Playground and Discovery Lab are OMSI's areas where young children are able to learn and explore in fun, educational settings. Volunteers assist parents and children in experiencing hands-on open-ended activities and exhibits, and assist staff in maintaining the space to ensure the safety of our youngest visitors and their families.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist parents and children ages six and under in the Science Playground and Discovery Lab by facilitating hands-on activities such as bubbles or spin art, leading story time, facilitating cognitive research-based demonstrations, or engaging visitors with discovery boxes.
• Explore ideas and questions of child development with parents and caretakers.
• Maintain a presence in the hall while resetting and interpreting exhibits.
• Prepare materials and maintain supplies for activities and classes, test activities with visitors.
• Maintain a safe and secure environment for visitors by assisting in supervision of children, including observation and enforcement of consistent rules and limits.
• Assist educators during classes by monitoring activities in the hall and preparing for upcoming activities.
• Answer visitor questions and provide other information about the museum.
• Assume other duties/projects as agreed upon with an educator.

Qualifications:

• Interested and familiar with brain development science and early childhood education.
• Engaging and eager to work with parents and children from all backgrounds.
• Committed to sharing accurate science information age appropriately.
• Strong communication and customer service skills.
• Able to promptly bend and stoop as needed to help maintain tidy appearance, integrity and safety of the area.
• Maintain a calm, pleasant, and cheerful demeanor in a noisy and crowded environment.
• Must maintain a professional appearance.
• Dependable and punctual.
• Self-directed and willing to take initiative.
• Willing to follow OMSI rules and procedures.

Volunteer Benefits:

• Training and a lifelong learning experience.
• Admission for the volunteer to the museum, theater and planetarium shows, and submarine tours.
• An OMSI Family Membership upon completion of 50 hours of volunteer service.
• Discounts in the OMSI Science Store and on-site restaurants.
• The opportunity to meet many new people and learn more about OMSI.