Summer Camp Educator

How to apply:

Please email Justin Spencer (Spencer@thebakken.org) with the following information.

1. Two to three paragraphs in the body of the email detailing why you are interested in this position and how you meet the requirements described in this job description. Each paragraph should be between 3-7 sentences, for a total length of no more than 21 sentences. Do not attach a cover letter.
2. Your resume or work/skills/training history as an attachment or a link to your LinkedIn profile in your email response. We do not have a preference. Our aim is to understand where you have worked and the types of roles you have had.
3. OPTIONAL – Please consider filling out an optional, anonymous demographics survey, found here (https://thebakkenmuseum.formstack.com/forms/igm_applicant_demographic_survey). This survey will remain unattached to any application materials and is used only to determine patterns and opportunities for improvement. The hiring manager will not have access to the individual responses collected.

Complete applications will receive confirmation of submission within 72 hours. Application deadline is Midnight, Sunday, April 5 2026. Please contact Justin Spencer if you have questions about this process.

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO:

The Bakken Museum is a one-of-a-kind museum with a focus on innovation and the intersection of STEM and the humanities. The museum encourages curiosity through our exhibitions, events, and on and off-site education programs. Our purpose is to awaken the innovator inside each of us.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The Bakken provides equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, marital status, familial status, sex, gender identity and/or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Summer Camp Educator is responsible for creating a safe, engaging, and inspiring learning environment where campers explore creativity, STEM, and problem-solving through hands-on experiences. Educators co-lead daily activities, guiding youth through engineering design challenges, skill-building projects, and student designed projects. A camp team consists of two educators and two counselors for 24 campers.
Safety is a primary responsibility. Educators supervise campers at all times—indoors, outdoors, and during transitions—ensuring the proper use of makerspace tools, including soldering irons, hand tools, drills, and select power tools. Summer Camp Educators foster inclusive spaces where all campers feel seen, supported, and empowered to take creative risks. They use strong classroom management, thoughtful questioning, and encouragement to help students work through challenges. This role helps students develop confidence and build skills, fostering curiosity, teamwork, resilience, and learning through failure. Educators coach problem-solving skills and strategies. They support campers in brainstorming, testing, and refining designs with real tools and materials during project time.
Collaboration with fellow educators and counselors is essential to maintaining high-quality programming and a positive camp culture. The summer camp educator mentors the camp counselors. They model and enforce clear expectations for safety, respect, and awareness, responding quickly and appropriately to first-aid situations and behavioral concerns.
The Summer Camp Educator will be the primary point of contact for parents and guardians. They will also host the celebratory “Big Show” presentation, where campers share their projects with friends and family at the end of the week.
This role requires energy, flexibility, strong communication skills, and a commitment to hands-on STEM learning and youth development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Facilitation (85%)

• Works with camp staff to prepare, deliver, and evaluate The Bakken Museum’s summer camp program.
• Provides daily supervision of counselors and campers indoors and outdoors.
• Enforces safety and procedural rules, maintains a safe environment for campers, staff, and volunteers.
• Monitors for and respond appropriately to injuries, behavioral concerns, or illness
• Collaborates with summer camp staff to assist and mentor campers and student volunteers.
• Communicates relevant camper updates to leadership and families when appropriate
• Assists campers in the troubleshooting of projects, including circuit and mechanical builds.
• Serves as a positive role model for campers and volunteers.
• Prepares materials, sets up activities, and ensures supplies are cleaned up before leaving each day.
• Responds appropriately to safety and behavior issues, including assisting with completing incident reports.
• Performs other related duties as required

Camp Training and Prep (15%)

• Participates in the pre-camp training to learn the camp activities and procedures.
• Learns education strategies and best practices.
• Maintains organized, safe, and well-stocked workspaces
• Supports inventory management

Other duties as needed or required

Perform other duties as needed or required which are within the position’s scope.

Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion

Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) are core functions of all positions at the Bakken Museum. While some roles may have more specific responsibilities, the items below are a part of everyone’s role at the museum:
• Demonstrate a commitment to DEAI through continuous personal development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias to help cultivate and promote a culture of inclusivity and belonging for all staff.
• Proactively work on your own and collaboratively with other museum staff to ensure equitable and representative experiences for all museum visitors and program participants.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be 18 or older by June 1st.
• Experience teaching, supervising, and/or working with youth aged 9-14 years old in a formal
or informal educational setting
• Ability to communicate clearly with campers, families, and team members
• Ability to oversee a team and provide constructive feedback
• Willingness to follow and model safety protocols, including proper use of tools and protective equipment
• Comfort using basic workshop tools and electrical instruments (Training provided)
• Experience facilitating project-based learning or engineering design challenges
• Ability to foster inclusive environments that support diverse learning styles and identities
• A valid driver’s license

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Ability to sit and/or stand for up to 8 hours per shift.
• Ability to move through and access all areas of the buildings and grounds including stairs, indoor and outdoor areas, and small spaces.
• Ability to manipulate computers, office equipment, folding chairs and tables, and similar items related to an office environment.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 35 pounds.
• Ability to drive a museum vehicle.

TRAVEL:

This is an in-person position and will require regular and reliable transportation to the museum or offsite camp location.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the staff member assigned to this position. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
The Bakken Museum is committed to pay equity. The Bakken Museum provides pay grade transparency and benchmarks pay grades and compensation compared to the market.