Lead Camp Teacher, Seasonal

Description

Report to:
Assistant Director of Education

Hours/Status: 1.0 FTE Core schedule Mon-Fri for a series of weeks during the 2026 summer camp season

Compensation: $20-$23/hour

The Hands On Children’s Museum is located on the picturesque East Bay waterfront in downtown Olympia. We are a nationally known family learning destination and the most visited children’s museum in the Pacific Northwest hosting more than 300,000 visitors each year. Our mission is to stimulate curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills through rich, interactive learning experiences. We believe that all children deserve respect and the opportunity to learn, regardless of their ability to pay, which is why the Museum works hard to serve more than one-third of its annual visitation through the Inspired Learning for All initiative.

The Museum is recognized as a national Museum for All and won a Noyce Foundation Bright Lights Award for bringing art and science education to underserved populations.

Voted a “Best Place for Kids” for more than a decade, the Museum offers a state-of-the-art LEED Gold facility with 150 indoor exhibits, a half-acre Outdoor Discovery Center, Art Studio, a Make Space for tinkering and inventing, café and gift shop, and award‑winning education programs including camps, workshops, preschool, parenting classes, field trips, community outreach and family support programs.

The Lead Camp Teacher is a full‑time seasonal Education Department position responsible for leading pre‑planned summer camp programs for children ages 6–9. This role requires excellent classroom management skills, a strong interest in STEAM‑based learning, and the ability to adapt quickly in a fast‑paced environment. The ideal candidate brings high energy, enthusiasm, and a collaborative spirit to help deliver some of the most engaging camp programs in Thurston County.

This position is responsible for delivering high‑quality educational experiences, ensuring participant safety, and maintaining positive relationships with campers, families, staff, and volunteers. Lead Camp Teachers are expected to evaluate and continuously improve programming and actively participate in required training sessions on June 18 and 19, 2026.

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or relevant field required. WA State teacher certification and/or Master’s degree preferred.
• Must have a minimum of three years of experience in lead role in formal and/or informal educational setting.
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification, Food Handler’s Card.
• Must be able to lift 50lbs and be able to be on feet for most of the workday.

• Demonstrated ability to deliver engaging, innovative curriculum.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with children, parents/caregivers, educators, donors, community members, and Museum visitors.
• Strong teamwork skills with a demonstrated respect for diverse perspectives.
• Ability to work independently, multitask, and remain flexible in a fast‑paced environment.
• High levels of energy, enthusiasm, patience, and adaptability.
• Good sense of humor and a supportive, caring approach to colleagues, visitors, and the Museum’s mission.

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties. Employee may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

• Create a welcoming and warm environment for students and parents.
• Effectively teach and manage classroom.
• Establish effective communication with parents.
• Timely and professional response to communication including responding to emails, returning phone calls, in person discussions to resolve problems or for planning.
• Responsible maintenance of work area, classroom, storage areas.
• Follow all museum safety and other procedures and practices.
• Orient support staff and volunteers to safety rules and practices and actively supervise that they practice such.
• Seek support from other teachers or Assistant Director of Education for challenges with students or…