Apply Now

Education Lead (Camp)

National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

1 Positions

ID: 21627

Posted On 10/04/2022

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 Education Lead (Camp) position works as an advocate to ensure each of the Museum & Aquarium’s three core disciplines (history, conservation, and STEM) are represented through development of engaging interdisciplinary programs, and is responsible for the presentation of engaging and inclusive educational programs. This position is at its core focused most intensely on camp programs. Many of these programs involve the use of live ambassador animals, requiring a degree of comfort around animals. On-site and off-site programs 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.

The Education Lead (Camp) will often be assigned to floor shifts at the NMRMA site, especially during slow periods in the camp schedule, and often including one weekend day. In collaboration with other Education Leads, Managers, and the Curator of Education, this position is responsible for the leadership and interpretation of Museum & Aquarium exhibits, youth camps (summer camps, school’s out ed-venture, group overnights, etc.), educational events (parties, education-themed events, etc.), group tours (guided and self-guided tours, school groups, cruise boats, leisure groups, etc.), and other projects as assigned.

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

  • Collaborate with the Education Program Manager in the creation, scheduling, presentation, and evaluation of the educational outcomes of guest experiences, in both formal and informal learning settings relating to camp.
    • Act as support for 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
    • Incorporate small and medium sized live animals, biological specimens, and/or historical artifacts and replicas whenever possible
  • 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, and Tours
  • In collaboration with the Curator of Education, supervise 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, acting as a visible mentor and role model at all times
    • In collaboration with Curator of Education, perform annual performance reviews for direct reports listed above
    • Attend department meetings
    • Act as Educator-on-Duty (EOD) as scheduled

Additional duties

  • Serve on at least one working group, such as youth camps, educational events, or group tours
  • 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
  • Engage in continued learning about tools, artifacts, animals, and plants in institutional collection

Qualifications

  • Comfortability in communicating to children of all ages and delivering science instruction in an informal camp setting
  • Relevant college course work and/or a Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on history, anthropology, education, biology, environmental science, ecology, or a related field is strongly preferred
  • A minimum of 2 years of paid education experience with informal learning processes, ideally in a museum, aquarium, zoo, or nature center preferred
  • Prior knowledge of history, culture, wildlife, and/or environmental issues of the Tri-State area and the Mississippi River is preferred
  • Demonstrated enthusiasm and a willingness to learn
  • Proficient communication skills
  • Ability to complete tasks with minimal supervision and possession of the flexibility and initiative to problem solve on the go
  • 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 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.

Primary Contact

13113

Marilyn Snyder

Assistant, Administration

563-557-9545

Phone

Phone

Phone

Fax

msnyder@rivermuseum.com

Email

True

False

True

Job Details

Categories

Education

Location

Dubuque, IA

Job Type

Employee

Full/Part

Part Time

Company ID

1175

Job REQ #

# Positions

1

Start Date

20221004

End Date

20221018

Featured Job

0

TH Ad

0

TH Comments


Similar Jobs

Child Care Group Leader

Dubuque Community Y

Horse Camp Lead Wrangler

Dubuque Community Y

Horse Camp Assistant Wrangler

Dubuque Community Y

Day Camp Staff

Dubuque Community Y

Day Camp Lead Counselor

Dubuque Community Y

Communication Coach - Sign Language Educational In

Dubuque Community School District

Early Childhood Teacher/Childcare Leads and Assist

Aquin Little Angels Early Childhood Center & Preschool

Assistant Professor of Elementary Education – Sp

Loras College

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education

Loras College

Director of Campus Ministry

Clarke University

Share this Job
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

About the Company

The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is owned and operated by the Dubuque County Historical Society, which also operates the Mathias Ham Historic Site. The River Museum  and Mathias Ham Historic Site together see over 200,000 visitors and manage outreach programs that serve over 50,000 more per year. Part aquarium, part museum, part science center, it is the mission of the institution to inspire stewardship by creating educational experiences where history and rivers come alive. The organization  employes more than 90 full- and part-time employees, as well as hosts several interns amongst departments.