MakerKids is looking for a new person to join our team as a Makerspace Leader! This position will start part time with 10-30 hours per week, with the goal of leading to full time 40 hours per week.
About MakerKids
MakerKids is a non-profit organization that enables kids to come up with their own projects, and create them with real tools and materials. Our goal is to inspire and empower kids to think, design, experiment and create by offering workshops, seminars, and afterschool programs at schools and at our Makerspace in Roncesvalles village.
In recent years, the Maker movement has grown exponentially through print publications, web sites, events and community spaces. Collective community workshops known as hackerspaces or Makerspaces have grown worldwide from 124 in 2009 to over 1000 in 2013. We are at the leading edge, providing one of the first kids’ Makerspaces, empowering them to be Makers, too!
We started in 2010 with a summer program and school events. In 2012, we obtained and renovated a permanent 1200 sq ft workshop space. Our Makerspace has facilities and tools for woodworking, electronics, mechanical creations, programming, art, sewing, cooking, and all kinds of other crafting and making. Our Digital Creations Lab opened in November 2013, providing another 1200 sq ft space dedicated to 3D printing, robotics, programming, video editing, music composition and more. Its a centre for ideas, inspiration, and creation!
Our program relies on a strong volunteer base and mentorship by kids themselves. Our adult collaborators are facilitators for the kids, and also encourage them to seek out resources to learn on their own, and to teach each other. Teenage collaborators help the younger kids as a part of their high school volunteer hours, as well as work on their own projects.
Job Description:
Your job will be to lead MakerKids programming - after school classes, open shop nights, and other workshops and events. Other tasks will support this role, such as developing new activities, shop organization, materials purchasing, coordinating events, etc.
You are a creative and energetic person who likes working with kids and exploring new ideas. You have experience working with kids in an engaging and active environment such as at a summer camp. You are a Maker, with interest and experience designing and creating things.
You are not required to have the full range of technical skills that kids will need for their projects. MakerKids co-founder and other volunteers and guest artists will be present during classes to teach various specific skills. You can learn along with the kids! What we want to see from you is the Maker spirit - a love of learning, and a proven ability to pick up skills.
For training, during your first sessions you will work alongside staff. After that, you will lead classes and events.
The job will start with 10-30 hours per week, with the goal of expanding to 40 hours per week once you are fully trained.
Work hours are flexible, but availability must include classes and open shop event times - 4 weeknights from 4:30 to 7:30, plus one weekend day. For example, starting work hours could be 2:00 to 8:00 pm 4 weekdays, and 10:00 to 4pm on Saturdays. You will also be required at some weekend events. Our Makerspace is located at 2241 Dundas St West in Roncesvalles Village in Toronto.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Lead after school classes, open shop nights, and other workshops and events.
- Maintain Makerspace materials, tools and equipment.
- Develop and enhance Makerspace information signage, window displays and organization.
- Supervise, train and schedule Makerspace staff and volunteers.
- Assist in maintaining budgets, reports, and statistics.
- Collaborate with MakerKids staff and outside partners to develop maker educational programming
- Research, develop and prototype maker activities
- Complete other tasks as assigned by Co-Executive Directors
Skills and Experience:
- Commitment to the MakerKids philosophy and mission.
- 2 years experience working with kids in an experiential learning environment. For example: summer camp counsellor, museum facilitator, Montessori teacher, etc. If you have only taught in a traditional classroom, please tell us what you have done with experiential learning.
- Lifelong learner. You like to know how the world around us works.
- Maker! Tell us about your maker skill(s) – be it woodworking, cooking, coding, electronics, sewing, or some other way you entertain yourself and others with your creativity.
- Comfortable with the use of hand tools, electronics, computer software, hardware and various other technologies.
- Strong communications skills. The ability to express ideas clearly, both in written and oral form.
- Effective collaborator – experience working with teams.
Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@makerkids.ca by December 20th, 2013. Please make sure to include examples of things you have made in your cover letter. Please also include your portfolio if you have one.
