Play & Learning Coordinator

Description

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 Play & Learning Coordinator is a key part of the Play & Learning Team, providing logistical and operational excellence for year-round programming and events in the museum and out in the community. This position’s primary responsibility is program operations, including museum and program resource management and coordination of Thinkery’s presence at offsite events and engagement. 

This role's weekly schedule is Sunday-Thursday, while flexible for events and offsites.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Supports Thinkery’s learning resource management and inventory for the Play & Learning team and Thinkery’s Camps offerings.   
• Develops, maintains, and trains teammates in use of shared resource catalogs, calendars, and checkout systems with support from Play & Learning Specialists. 
• Coordinates the reservation of programming spaces in the museum for Play & Learning Programs.  Manages the gallery resources and resource calendar.  
• Generates resource lists for programming, coordinates sourcing of new materials, packing/unpacking of materials, resource organization, and return of existing experience resources with support from the Play & Learning Specialists.  
• Purchases materials and props, submits expense reports, and supports tracking of team expenses & spending. 
• Supervises storage and inventory of props, tools, books, and consumable resources, ensuring that the proper inventory is in place and not duplicated unnecessarily. 
• Ensures that all props in the museum are in working order, clean, in back stock, and out in the galleries with direct support from Play & Learning Specialist and Facilitators. 
• Supports logistics for Events, Workshops, Offsite Engagements, and Camps.  Collaborates cross-departmentally to deliver high quality, engaging experiences that promote Thinkery’s mission, programs, and values.  Acts as program supervisor as needed for offsite engagements. 
• Supports workshops and events as a facilitator. 
• Collaborate with SLI and Play & Learning teams to develop and implement curriculum that reflects Thinkery’s learning framework & philosophy and core values.  
• Exemplify Thinkery’s approach to play-based STEAM learning by engaging with museum guests—both children and adults—from diverse backgrounds with a playful, energetic, friendly, positive, and professional demeanor.  
• Serve as a role model for seasonal Play and Learning Facilitators and Thinkery Youth Development (TYD) participants by demonstrating effective facilitation techniques and playful learning approaches. Encourage and support staff during pre/post shift meetings and offer in-the-moment guidance, while collaborating with Specialists and managers to help staff reach their full potential.  
• Actively interact with caregivers of young guests, discussing their child’s learning experiences and sharing relevant resources to support continued learning at home. 
• Helps maintain a safe, welcoming environment by upholding museum policies and procedures. 
• Act as a direct link between administrative and floor team, effectively sharing programming details, policy updates, changes, upcoming events, and opportunities to ensure seamless operations. 
• Represent Thinkery’s key values of inclusivity, excellence, respect, innovation, playfulness, cooperation and creativity. 
• Support culture of cross organization communication, collaboration and information sharing. 
• Lead onboarding and ongoing trainings for multiple teams (Camps, new hires, etc.) across the organization as needed. 

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES 

• This position will require regular weekend and evening availability. Schedule and availability reflect that the organization is a 7-day-a-week operation.  
• Actively practice Thinkery’s health and safety protocols. Thinkery requires new staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at the time of their on-boarding with exemptions available for medical need.  
• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

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. 
• Creates Connection: Builds engagement and belonging in relationships across teams and with guests, promoting a welcome environment for all.  
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES  

• Organization and time/project management skills. 
• Exceptional communication and collaboration. 
• Flexible thinking and ability to practice in-the-moment problem solving. 
• Ability to create, formulate and successfully implement playful, engaging, and innovative experiences for a variety of learning styles and ages.  
• Ability to quickly adapt existing activities and programs to serve changing audience needs.  
• Spanish language skills an asset. 
• MS Office Suite and MS Teams proficiency required, specific skills in Excel required. 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP 

• Reports to Play & Learning Operations Manager 
• Supports Special Events Manager  

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:  

• Bachelor’s degree in science, education, or relevant field. In lieu of degree, additional work experience may be acceptable.  
• Interest and passion in arts and science. 
• Experience providing direction for staff and/or volunteers in a professional setting. 
• Experience working or volunteering in a busy, loud, public-facing environment, i.e. museums, food service, retail, etc.   
• Thorough knowledge of working with children and families. Experience in a children’s museum or other informal environment preferred. 
• 1+ years of relevant experience developing educational content for informal settings and/or developing and delivering educational programming. 
• 1+ years of resource or program coordination experience. 
• Experience of working in events or summer camps preferred. 
• Budget tracking experience preferred. 

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.  This position is very active.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to: 

• Observe and react to the needs of guests, staff, volunteers, and community partners. 
• Move throughout the museum 
• Manipulate and move exhibit components weighing up to 25 pounds, including those that may be low to the ground or above eye level  
• Communicate and exchange accurate information with guests, staff, volunteers, and community partners in various formats including in-person, electronically, and over the phone.  
• Detect and respond to safety hazards 
• Occasionally work in outdoor environments 
• Operate a cash register and computer efficiently and accurately 
• Conduct training and deliver content to groups of staff, guests, and community partners. 

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 
• 100% employer sponsored EAP, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance 
• 2 weeks of paid vacation, 12 days of paid sick leave, and 13 paid holidays each year 
• Paid Family Leave 
• Pet and child friendly offices 
• Membership to the museum and discount rates to Thinkery Camps 

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 based on 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 background and reference checks.