Job Title: Seasonal Teen Program Associate

FLSA: Non-Exempt, Grant funded, Seasonal Hourly (up to 40 hours per week through August, switching to Part- Time from September to December)

Reports To: Director of Programs

Wage Range: $17.00 - $19.00

Summary

Serving more than 300,000 adults and children each year, the Connecticut Science Center is the state’s premier destination for informal science learning, a top tourist attraction, a hub for teacher training, and one of the state’s foremost resources for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The Seasonal Teen Program Associate will join our larger Programs Team with the primary purpose of supporting the Teen Innovation Summer Program in collaboration with the Teen Programs Coordinator and STEM Educators. They provide enriching learning experiences for Connecticut teens that focus on building a deeper understanding of STEM topics and concepts to strengthen the necessary skills needed to be successful in academics and the workforce.

This position works directly with our high school teen audiences providing guidance, skill-building, and support to help students build interest in STEM-related fields and develop the critical skills and habits needed to be successful in future careers, college, and the classroom. Part of the role is team building and activity planning to support the overall project-based work and help them explore and strengthen their own STEM identity through an intensive, 6-week summer program.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Work as a mentor and summer program support staff for the Teen Innovation program participants.
• Develop and lead project-based activities, helping teen participants brainstorm, design, and build their projects.
• Work with the Teen Program Coordinator to design and cultivate an inclusive learning environment for teens to feel safe and inspired to explore new content and opportunities in STEM.
• Lead activities that promote team-building and social-emotional well-being.

• Learn content, programs, and activities that are grounded in STEM and ensure that all content is presented accurately.

• Effectively facilitate engaging experiences for all audiences using best practices that represent strong STEM content and are designed to build interest in STEM topics.

• Support the development of teen programming as needed. This may include summer programming, afterschool programming, and virtual programming.
• Personalize engagements, connect content to STEM career pathways, and make science relevant to everyday life for all program participants.
• Support the development of STEM and professional skills needed for future success in a work environment.
• Support the recruitment and selection of program participants.
• Organize and maintain program materials. Help track and maintain inventory and keep all materials in an orderly manner.

• Support the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility goals of the Science Center by ensuring that educational content and programs support all individuals in their development of skills and knowledge.

• Use appropriate positive reinforcement and humor to encourage student participation and build relationships.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Special Requirements

• Pursuit of or a degree in a STEM field and/or education demonstrating a strong foundation and background in a STEM discipline.
• Experience in an educational or non-profit environment a plus.
• Bilingual speaking ability a plus
• Must be comfortable working with diverse audiences, specifically teens and youth.
• Must be well organized and flexible to meet time, priority, and workload demands.
• Must be adaptable while maintaining a professional and fun experience.
• Punctuality is mandatory and have the availability to work flexible hours including, evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Must be comfortable learning, retaining, and presenting science content.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• A strong commitment to support diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEIA) generally and in the specific functions of this role.
• Must provide proof of COVID vaccination or be approved for a medical or religious exemption, should such exemptions be part of employer’s policies, which may change from time to time.
• Must possess a valid CT driver’s license and maintain a satisfactory driving record to drive to local, off-site locations.

• Ability and expectation to work onsite.

Physical Requirements

• Repetitive movement of hands and fingers – typing and/or writing.
• Frequent standing, walking, stooping, and sitting for extended periods of time.
• Reach with hands and arms, seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing clearly.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move supplies and equipment up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels and speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in classrooms.
• Keen sense of smell when dealing with chemicals.

Qualified applicants will go through an application process, interview process and must successfully complete a background check.

To apply, email your cover letter and resume package to HR@CTScienceCenter.org by May 31, 2023. Please reference “Seasonal Teen Program Associate.” Recruitment will continue until position is filled.

The Connecticut Science Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.