STEAM Educator

Description

Position Title: STEAM Educator
Department: STEAM Learning Institute
Classification: Manager 

Reports to: Senior STEAM Educator
Hours: Full-time, salaried, benefitted  

Salary: $48,000-$48,500

ABOUT THINKERY 

Thinkery is where Austin’s children and their families come to enjoy play-based, inquiry-rich, hands-on learning experiences. We believe that innovative, play-based, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning experiences are a powerful way for children to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and curiosity about the world around them. Our exhibits and programs encourage children— alongside their caregivers—to solve creative challenges, explore a variety of materials, and to develop new ways to complete unfamiliar projects. Through these activities, children gain the tools and confidence to develop and grow into enthusiastic, creative, lifelong STEAM learners and thinkers. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The STEAM Educator, is a passionate life-long learner who serves as a key member of Thinkery's STEAM Learning team, bringing expertise in facilitating and developing educational experiences for diverse learners. This role is essential to advancing STEAM education through Thinkery's STEAM Learning Institute professional development programs and direct education programming. Strong alignment with Thinkery's core values of playfulness, innovation, collaboration, and belonging is a must. This dynamic role offers the opportunity to shape impactful STEAM education experiences while managing both year-round and seasonal programming initiatives. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Collaborate with the Senior STEAM Educator to facilitate and implement educational programs such as educator training, class visits, and summer camp. 
• Coordinate program schedules, attendance, logistics, assessments, and evaluation for assigned programs and partnerships. 
• Co-develop, edit, and customize new and existing STEAM-based curricula aligned with Thinkery’s learning framework and state standards for summer camp and professional development programs and museum learning teams 
• Facilitate STEAM activities for students in classrooms and workshop settings. 
• Maintain program-supply inventory and coordinate materials across district partnerships, camps, and other educational programs. 
• Attend and co-facilitate training for staff and external educators. 
• Stay current on K–5 educational technology and STEAM practices for learners ages 3–11. 
• Contribute to budget planning for educational programming  
• Support the recruitment, hiring, training, and coaching of seasonal staff and interns. 
• Model best practices in STEAM education and child engagement, and provide professional development that promotes consistent, play-based, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive practices. 
• Provide flexible support across education teams during seasonal program transitions. 
• Build cross-departmental and community partnerships that align play-based STEAM programming, support educator professional development, expand program reach, and diversify participation. 

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES 

• Strong knowledge of STEAM content, educational pedagogy, current tools, trends, and technologies. 
• Experience with robotics, programming, circuitry, design thinking, or related technologies is strongly preferred. 
• Strong classroom management and facilitation skills in formal and informal settings. 
• Excellent communication skills with children, families, educators, staff, and community partners from diverse backgrounds. 
• Excellent organization, time management, and attention to detail, with the ability to collaborate across departments and manage multiple programs, projects, and deadlines. 
• Commitment to Thinkery’s mission, STEAM learning approach, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. 
• Ability to learn programming languages and educational technology platforms and develop cross-curricular content for PreK–5 learners. 
• Flexibility and a positive attitude amid changing audience needs, organizational capacity, and budget realities. 
• Spanish/English bilingual proficiency preferred. 

SUPPORT THINKERY’S MISSION AND VALUES 

• Steward a culture of cross-department communication, collaboration, and support work.   
• Represent Thinkery’s core values of playfulness, belonging, innovation, and collaboration 
• Commitment to support Thinkery’s dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives. 

COMPETENCIES 

• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments. 
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization and Thinkery’s work. 
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. 
• Creates Connection: Builds engagement and belonging in relationships across teams and with guests, promoting a welcoming environment for all. 

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION 

• Associate's degree in Education, Family and Child Development, or related field. In lieu of degree, equivalent experience may be substituted. 
•  Experience working with children and educators by teaching either in formal or informal settings, delivering STEAM experiences in an educational environment. 
• Experience creating lesson plans and/or curriculum and modifying to meet needs of diverse learners 
• Experience in public school setting highly preferred 
• Experience collaborating with adults in a professional setting.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

This active position requires mobility throughout the museum and travel to multiple sites, including schools, while transporting necessary equipment and materials. Employees must be able to: 

• Observe and respond to the needs of guests, staff, volunteers, school partners, and community partners. 
• Move throughout the museum and off-site locations. 
• Work with cleaning and disinfecting solutions on a variety of surfaces and props. 
• Communicate and exchange accurate information in person, electronically, and by phone. 
• Plan for, detect, and respond to safety hazards. 
• Occasionally work in outdoor environments. 
• Operate a computer efficiently and deliver trainings or presentations as needed. 
• Maintain reliable transportation for regular travel to schools and community partner sites throughout the greater Austin area. 

BENEFITS 

Thinkery offers competitive and affordable benefits for our full-time staff including options for 100% employer sponsored medical coverage. Our benefits package includes: 

• Medical insurance options, including HSA, PPO Gold, and PPO Platinum plans 
• Affordable dental and vision coverage 
• 100% employer-sponsored EAP, STD, LTD, AD&D, and life insurance 
• Two weeks of paid vacation, four weeks of paid sick leave, and 13 paid holidays each year 
• Pet-friendly offices 

This job description should not be construed to imply these requirements are the only duties, responsibilities, and qualifications for this job. Incumbents may be required to follow any additional related instructions, acquire related job skills, and perform other related work as required. This job description may be updated as needed. 

Thinkery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above listed items. All candidates offered a position will be required to submit to a background and reference checks.