Youth Mentor

About the role

The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh provides innovative and inclusive museum experiences that inspire kindness, joy, creativity, and curiosity for all learners. We forge connections with artists, community partners, and neighbors to work on behalf of children, youth, and families. We have a vision to transform education. We believe people of all ages can benefit from different types of learning experiences.

Responsibilities

• Develops hands-on art and making experiences collaboratively and independently for out-of-school time programs, organized groups, and visitors.
• Acts as a visible and accessible, caring adult for youth, serving as a liaison between youth, their interests and potential programs of MuseumLab.
• Facilitates field trips and hands-on workshops and experiences at MuseumLab for school groups and general visitors, as well as elective classes for Manchester Academic Charter School (MACS).
• Ensures that tools and materials in the exhibit spaces are appropriately organized and prepared for workshop experiences.
• Stages and prepares MuseumLab spaces prior to museum open or scheduled workshops and works with fellow education staff to reset spaces at the conclusion of workshops.
• Affords assistance in the inventory and control of supplies and equipment for youth and teen programs and maintenance of MuseumLab spaces.
• Creates a warm, welcoming, and inclusive space for museum guests while staffing exhibits by greeting school groups and families, encouraging exploration and open-ended creating, and providing helpful information to guest inquiries.
• Supports after-hours Education events and offsite outreach programs as needed.
• Engages in regular staff training and professional development, and applies skills and information learned on a daily basis.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Art, Art Education or related field. Substitution of years of experience may be considered equivalent to formal educational training.
• Experience: 2+ years working with youth and teens, in formal and/or informal learning environments in a related field (e.g. fine art, creative art, interactive media, theatrical arts, education, etc.) required. Prior experience working with, or familiarity with, tools and processes that include, but are not limited to: woodworking, digital art, metalworking, fiber, etc. required. Experience leading workshops or working in a classroom setting strongly preferred.
• Skills: Interest and enthusiasm for working with youth, teens, educators and families. Open-mindedness, flexible thinking, reflective, and ability to adjust expectations and actions as needed. Classroom management. Consistent engagement in personal growth of process, technique, fluency with materials, etc. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Awareness and understanding of cultural trends and youth interests and issues preferred.