JOB POSTING IS EXPIRED
MakerSpace & Camp Coordinator

Job Overview

The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is an outgrowth of the Dubuque County Historical Society, which also operates the Mathias Ham Historic Site, is home to the National Rivers Hall of Fame, and supports a national outreach program called RiverWorks Discovery. Its mission is to inspire stewardship by creating educational experiences where history and rivers come alive.

The Makerspace & Camp Coordinator will be tasked with creating STEM-based and history-focused curriculum and other educational materials that can be utilized by all of the River Museum’s Educators in our MakerSpace and Camps. Quality programs will highlight connections to the Mississippi River through history, conservation, and STEM topics, utilizing dynamic resources of the NMRMA campus to forge meaningful connections with all audiences. Strong candidates will have a desire to use their curriculum development, interpretation, and leadership skills to support the mission and vision of the NMRMA and the entire Dubuque County Historical Society, while successfully executing new and existing education programs.

This is a full time, permanent position. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Benefits include vacation time, sick time, paid holidays, medical, dental, flex plan, and 403b retirement plan.

The Dubuque County Historical Society and its properties, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and Mathias Ham Historic Site, are committed to embracing diversity, practicing equity, and ensuring accessibility and inclusion. We continually strive to achieve a welcoming environment in all our spaces, where our staff and community feel reflected and valued for their unique perspectives and backgrounds. DEAI values guide and impact all the decisions the museum makes, both internal and external.

Primary duties

• Lead creation, presentation, and evaluation of STEM-based interpretative activities and programs for our MakerSpace
  • Collaborate with the Education team to align curriculum to core standards and mission
  • Provide training and coordination to team of around 30 educators about how to use the machines, convey safety protocols, and provide instruction on interpretive scripts and outlines
  • Mentor staff to ensure that interpretation and MakerSpace programs are effectively delivered
  • Implement comprehensive evaluation program in collaboration with other Education staff
• Oversee the use, maintenance and care of all equipment in the space such as 3D printers, Glowforge, Chromebooks, Cricut, etc.
• Lead creation, scheduling, presentation, and evaluation of the educational outcomes of in both formal and informal learning settings relating to camps
  • Support operational aspects of all camp sessions such as Summer Camp, Winter Break Camp and Schools Out Ed-Ventures
  • This includes, but is not limited to, collaboratively planning and delivering educational content, engaging campers in hands-on activities, and overseeing classroom management
  • Supervise all children enrolled in seasonal program
  • Collaborate with camp instructors implement daily activities and ensure the safety and physical well-being of participants
  • Provide fun and engaging experiences for campers
• Assist with supervision of the Education department staff and volunteers
  • Ensure staff acts in a cohesive manner
  • Ensure staff follows procedures and upholds the Education Department Code of Conduct
  • Assign responsibilities to Education staff, assist with daily tasks, and provide alternate coverage for team members as needed
  • Coach, motivate, train, and instruct staff and volunteers
  • Act as a visible mentor and role model at all times
  • Provide alternate coverage for other team members as needed
  • In collaboration with Education Manager, perform annual performance reviews for direct reports listed above
  • Engage all Education staff and delegate as appropriate to maximize their unique and individual talents and skill sets
  • Act as Educator On Duty (EOD) as scheduled
  • Attend department meetings

Additional duties

• Perform variable daily roles as assigned, including, but not limited to: MakerSpace, Boat Shop, Delta, W.M. Black dredge boat, Wet Lab, camps, overnights, outreach, tours, and educational events
• Incorporate small and medium sized live animals, biological specimens, and/or historical artifacts and replicas whenever possible
• Lead educational programs that include options such as: arts and crafts, live animals, games, activities, artifacts, props, etc.
• Remain comfortable, competent, and invested in history, conservation, and STEM topics to ensure redundancy and cross-training are in place
• Attend mandatory, prescheduled training sessions
• Maintain written records in accordance with established practices and departmental policies
• Keep all education areas clean, organized and hazard free, report maintenance needs, and perform minor maintenance tasks
• Engage in continued learning about animals, plants, historical artifacts, and STEM components of institutional collection
• Maintain working relationships with local and regional educational organizations to foster collaborations

Qualifications

• Relevant college course work and/or a Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in museum studies, education, biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, ecology, history, anthropology, or related field is strongly preferred
• Prior exposure to history, conservation, and STEM education concepts and curriculum development in PreK-16 school and/or informal learning setting is strongly preferred
• A minimum of 2 years of paid education experience with formal or informal learning processes, ideally in a museum, aquarium, zoo, or nature center is preferred
• Possess a curiosity to identify and creatively facilitate strategies which engage audiences with making and design
• Must show an interest in developing oneself and demonstrating leadership within the informal education field
• Must have familiarity with computers and the Microsoft Office suite of programs
• Must demonstrate superb team-building skills with an ability to instill a positive and productive attitude in others
• Must learn quickly and be self-motivated to elevate personal skill set
• Must possess exemplary decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Must demonstrate the ability to work with all people in a positive and productive manner at all times
• Must possess the ability to adapt quickly and be flexible in any scenario, as well as maintain considerable patience
• Must be capable of dealing with emergencies calmly and efficiently
• Must be comfortable around the water, and indoors and outdoors in any weather
• Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language
• Must hold or be able to possess an Iowa, Wisconsin or Illinois driver’s license within 3 months of hire
• Must be capable of holding certification in First Aid and CPR
• Must be able to perform any physical demands of job duties, either with or without reasonable accommodation
• Final candidates will be subject to a reference and background check

How to apply

To learn more, visit www.rivermuseum.com/apply.  Apply by emailing your resume, cover letter, and references to apply@rivermuseum.com or by delivering them in person to 350 E. 3rd St., Dubuque, IA 52001.

Research suggests that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that any applicant is able to meet all of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if you are drawn to this position and feel your strengths would be an asset to the organization, we highly encourage you to apply.