Spring STEAM Camp Instructor - Seasonal Position

Chicago, IL
Seasonal
Education
Entry Level

About Us: The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the largest and most interactive science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (Griffin MSI) exposes guests of all ages to awe-inspiring exhibitions that spark curiosity and bring science to life. Griffin MSI’s mission – to inspire the inventive genius in everyone – is realized through its world-class exhibitions and engaging guest experiences. The Museum provides programs and experiences that deepen the engagement of students and teachers in science and science-related disciplines, with a vision to inspire and motivate our children to achieve their full potential in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

We offer a creative, collaborative, and innovative environment for our employees. Our employees get great perks such as: benefits starting day one of your employment, free admission to Griffin MSI for family and friends, free admission to other museums, free parking in Griffin MSI’s garage and more! If you are equally passionate about our vision and want to be surrounded by a team of dynamic, smart and innovative people, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the right place for you!

The Job: The Spring STEAM Camp Instructor delivers hands-on, engaging seasonal camp workshops across six programs: Mini Makers (grades K -1st), Tinker Tots (grades 2nd - 3rd, which emphasize creative exploration and STEAM-focused, play-based learning), Young Adventurers (grades 4th -6th), Explorers (grades 7th - 9th, which focus on hands-on investigation throughout the Museum). The Young Makers (grades 4th - 6th) Fab Lab Makers camps (grades 7th - 12th) center on digital fabrication, including 3D printing, vinyl cutting, laser cutting, and related maker technologies.
 

PLEASE NOTE

This temporary position requires availability for the following onsite schedules:

Position Start Date: Monday, March 2nd, 2026 
Program Training (one session required): Sunday, March 15th or Saturday, March 21st, 2026
Fulltime Camps Program Schedule: Monday, March 23rd - Friday, March 27th, 2026

Responsibilities

  • Deliver engaging, hands-on education programming for camp participants using the Museum Camps Grid System.
  • Facilitate a variety of STEAM program topics and themes using techniques such as investigation, exploration, and direct instruction.
  • Use inquiry-based practices to guide learning and support camper exploration.
  • In collaboration with regular camp staff, adjust and implement content updates within the Camps Learning Management System used in each studio or classroom.
  • Provide guidance to camp interns on camp content, procedures, and daily operations.
  • Facilitate hands-on learning experiences by referencing provided lesson plans and adapting to campers' needs and interest.
  • Understand, follow, and enforce all camp procedures and guidelines related to health, safety, and emergencies.
  • Identify and respond to campers' medical or behavioral needs, reporting concerns to Camp Administration as appropriate. 
  • Supervise camp participants throughout the Museum and during all program activities while maintaining require staff-to-camper ratios.
  • Ensure safe operation of all Camp equipment and hand tools.
  • Organize and set up materials and camp space before and after programs.
  • Assist with the daily operations of the Camp space, including greeting campers, supporting check-in and check-out procedures, and helping manage lunch and break times.
  • Create and maintain a safe, supportive, and fun environment for all campers.
  • Monitor camper safety at all times.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Associate's degree or 2+ years of an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
  • 2+ years' experience working with youth, families, or public audiences in camps, community programs, or cultural institutions. 
  • Experience teaching in either formal or informal environments preferred.
  • Experience leading camp programs, youth workshops, or activity-based learning preferred.
  • Experience with 2D & 3D design software (i.e., Inkscape, Tinkercad, or similar tools) is preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to learn new digital design platforms and operate fabrication equipment (including 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters, and digital embroidery machines) with training and support.
  • Enthusiastic, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on camp environment.
  • Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong customer service skills and ability to engage effectively with guests, campers, and families.
  • Comfortable and confident speaking in front of groups, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
  • First Aid and CPR/AED Certification a plus.
  • Bilingual ability a plus.
  • Language:
    • Ability to read interpret documents such as operating and procedure manuals. 
    • Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees of the organization.
  • Mathematical:
    • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, etc.
  • Reasoning:
    • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concreate variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
    • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.
  • Physical:
    • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear.
    • The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
    • The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and taste or smell.
    • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
    • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
  • Work Environment:
    • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts and risk of electrical shock.
    • The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat; and vibration.
    • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
This hourly rate for this position is $19.00.

Position created on January 6th, 2026

Our Inclusion and Belonging Statement

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is committed to advancing diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion across our workforce, experiences, and day-to-day operations. As Griffin MSI employees, we are each responsible for making the Museum a welcoming place externally for guests and internally for our colleagues within the scope of our roles.

Griffin MSI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, which includes providing equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Share

Apply for this position

Required*
We've received your resume. Click here to update it.
Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

150
To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.

Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran
  • A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
    • a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
    • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  • An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  • An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
Veteran status



Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Please check one of the boxes below:

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

You must enter your name and date
Human Check*