Substitute Summer Group Instructor

Company: Galileo Headquarters
Location: Palo Alto
Posted on: July 15, 2021

Job Description:

US-CA-Peninsula South

Passionate about working with and having an impact on kids? Believe the world needs innovators, now more than ever? Do you thrive in new environments and love supporting the needs of a team? Ready to get outdoors, and have a career-defining summer learning the high-demand skill of hands-on program development? Consider a role at our newly redesigned, COVID-safe camp—same joyful Galileo vibe, with thoughtful new safety precautions for all. 

ABOUT GALILEO

Galileo’s mission is to develop innovators who envision and create a better world. We know it’s bold. We also know that we can’t achieve it without asking staff to be role models of an innovator’s mindset—visionary, courageous, collaborative, determined and reflective. It’s not always easy. Camp staffers work hard, and bring camp magic to life—for campers, and for themselves.

This isn’t your average summer teaching gig. Galileans are expected to take ownership of their own performance and make this place better every day. People with a can-do attitude thrive here and those with a victim mentality don't. We manage to keep this level of performance expectation high in a relaxed environment; we take our work, not ourselves, seriously.

Galileans know what it means to be a vital part of a team. Galileans want to grow. Galileans like to have fun at work. Galileans love sharing in—and helping to create—joyful experiences. After all, we run summer camps. You get the point.

We value having divergent thinkers who bring various experiences and viewpoints to the table at Galileo. We strongly encourage members of underrepresented groups to apply.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Due to COVID-19, our traditional Camp Galileo model has been reimagined for Summer 2021, and replaced with a new structure focused on camper safety and joy, featuring stable groups of 12 campers (that remain physically distanced from other groups), and consistent staff for each week-long session. Each group will rotate between three assigned spaces (primarily outdoors) and a home base where campers can spread out and partake in the day's activities. Campers will play fun games, and engage in hands-on activities that encourage them to learn via our unique pedagogy—the Galileo Innovation Approach (or the GIA).

POSITION OVERVIEW  

Substitutes fill in for absences lasting a day, a week, and sometimes longer, and are scheduled to work only when regular staff members are absent. The Substitute Group Instructor role is the perfect opportunity for those inspired by the idea of a Galileo summer, and who are open to or require a shorter summer commitment. 

Group Instructors are the most consistent presence in the experience of each Camp Galileo camper. They spend the entire camp day caring for their campers and providing instruction for fun, engaging projects and activities. They’re responsible for bringing the GIA to life, and have the greatest potential impact on each camper’s summer. This responsibility requires partnering with Summer Interns and the Camp Director to bring careful attention to the physical and emotional safety of each and every camper within a team, and to the overall development and formation of the group as a whole. As a substitute superhero to our teams, your consistent embodiment of these values is even more crucial each day you are at camp. 

Group Instructors come from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds. Great group instructors are: elementary and middle school teachers drawn to STEM/STE(a)M; college students looking for education-oriented professional development opportunities and classroom experience; youth development specialists and counselors seeking mission-driven work with students; informal educators, coaches, artists, scientists and makers who are excited to share their passions with kids. We welcome your application, even if you do not feel you meet all of the requirements listed below.

WHAT YOU’LL GET 

Purposeful work on an innovative team, along with the opportunity to expand upon or develop hands-on program iteration skills. Plus, you’ll be a part of a supportive community that stands for innovation, credibility, and expertise. We’re a certified B Corporation that is ranked #1 on the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area list, were named one of Forbes’ Best Small Companies and a Top 100 Impact Company, and are authentically committed to inclusion and equity company-wide—which includes joyfully upholding a robust financial assistance program.

SHARED VALUES AND EXPECTATIONS 

• Serve as an ambassador of Galileo, demonstrating our mission and values in a positive and professional manner and acting as a role model of the Galileo Innovator’s Mindset
• Commit to building a safe, child-focused community
• Demonstrate professionalism and accountability
• Take initiative to analyze and solve problems
• Treat others with courtesy and respect
• Respond to camper, family member, and colleague needs
• Maintain a high standard of ethics, integrity, and confidentiality

REQUIREMENTS

• Commitment to educational programming for children
• Flexibility to meet changing work needs and demands 
• Ability to work collaboratively on a high-functioning team
• Openness to feedback and desire to grow professionally
• Ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently and accurately 
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail
• Ability to communicate clearly, maturely, and compassionately with families 
• Ability to maintain an excellent work ethic, a high level of energy, and exceptional enthusiasm all day, every day, for the duration of the summer
  
  

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION 

• Upper-level high school student, college student, or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated leadership experience
• Experience working with kids or in a camp setting a plus
• Sixteen years old by your camp’s first day of operation, with a work permit valid through August 2021 if under 18

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support all aspects of camp, especially behind-the-scenes camp operations and programming
• Consistent dedication to specialized COVID-19 safety guidelines and policies (such as wearing a mask, daily health checks, frequent hand-washing, etc.) 
• Lead a stable camper group during afternoon extended care program including check-in, check-out, and leading camper activities
• Support camper check-in and check-out processes
• Assist with daily setup and clean up of camp including materials and space sanitization over the course of the day
• Responsible for preparing lesson materials and setting up teaching space
• Setup, lead, and participate in daily snack/lunch supervision and programming
• Maintain safe environments for all campers

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Work closely with Camp Director to complete various administrative duties
• Provide leadership, energy and camp spirit for campers, constantly assessing group dynamics and the needs of individual campers
• Cover for Group Instructors during daily ten-minute breaks, fulfilling their role while they are out
• Set, work toward, and achieve measurable professional development goals
• Provide excellent customer service to families by communicating with a positive, professional and fun attitude

WORK HOURS AND DATES

The camp environment is demanding, requiring consistent dedication and work ethic from each staff member. The needs of camp and resulting staff hours may vary but your hours will be roughly 3-8 hours a day. We seek and make offers to staff who we believe are capable of thriving in this environment, both professionally and personally.

General Camp Staff Hours Information:

• Camps operate weekdays from 8:30am to 3:30pm, followed by the Extended Care program from 3:30pm to 6pm. Number of hours and start/finish time will vary by site, position and day.
• Summer Extended Care Interns typically work from 10:30am to 6pm (shift ends when assigned Extended Care campers are checked out and daily duties are complete). 
• Staff meetings during regular work hours.
• Before setup days begin, complete between 6-10 hours of online training.
• Training and setup days: Participate in two mandatory training and setup days in the days before camp starts.
• Camp cleanup: Participate in cleaning and packing up camp for an additional 1-2 hours in your last day of camp if necessary. On the last day of camp all staff stay on site until cleanup is complete.
• Employees must take a minimum 30-minute unpaid break if they work 6 or more hours. They must be offered (but may decline) a 30-minute unpaid break if they work 5-5.75 hours.

COMPENSATION AND PERKS

We are committed to competitively compensating staff. Regarding compensation: 

• Regular pay rate is listed in the offer letter, and is determined based on experience and assignment.
• Staff will be compensated at a different hourly rate (training rate) for training and set-up days to be completed before your first day.
• Summer staff positions are temporary, seasonal positions and do not include health benefits or paid vacation time.
• Overtime will be paid at 1.5x the regular hourly rate in accordance with state and federal requirements.
• Payroll is processed weekly; payments will be issued and paystubs made available the following Friday.
• Up to $800 travel stipend ($100/week) for those who drive 15+ miles each way. Click here to read about additional perks.

SUPERVISION GIVEN/RECEIVED 

General supervision, ongoing observation and evaluation is provided by a Galileo Camp Director 

Keywords: Galileo Headquarters, Palo Alto , Substitute Summer Group Instructor, Other , Palo Alto, California