JOB OPENING

CuriOdyssey is a science playground and zoo, located on the San Francisco Bay Peninsula in San Mateo, CA. As a team member here, you will be able to connect a passion for science and animals with a beautiful natural setting. You have the opportunity to preserve, build upon, and share the wonder of this place. In our daily interaction with visitors, we envision a time when all people honor nature, animals, and science, value unique experiences, and appreciate beauty in everyday life. CuriOdyssey functions around our mission to inspire love for science and curiosity about the world to create a brighter future. We accomplish this through upholding our values of Integrity, Creativity, and Community. We welcome and appreciate your contributions to CuriOdyssey. 

 

SUMMARY 

We are seeking a part time STEAM educator. The STEAM Educator will be responsible for facilitating and delivering a variety of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art/Animals, and Math) educational programs at CuriOdyssey. This role involves engaging with youth, educators, and visitors through hands-on experiences such as camps, workshops, and classes both on and off-site. The ideal candidate will reflect CuriOdyssey’s values, bring enthusiasm for STEAM education, and demonstrate a passion for fostering curiosity and learning.

 

This regular, non-exempt part-time position offers a 20-hour work week, with a typical schedule of 9:30am - 1:30pm on Monday to Friday. During summer and seasonal camps, the schedule shifts to Monday to Friday 8:00am-4:30pm, 40 hours per week, including an unpaid 30-minute meal period. As a non-exempt position, you are eligible for overtime in accordance with California overtime laws.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 

Education Program Development and Delivery:

• Facilitate and engage youth, teachers, and/or visitors in a variety of STEAM educational programs and experiences such as camps, classes, and workshops that happen on and off-site in-person and online.
• Serve as a lead educator and co-teach programs within the educational portfolio. Note: In-person programs are conducted adhering to current county, state, and federal health and safety guidelines. Programs and classes will adapt as health and safety guidelines change.
• Direct one of our six summer camps, which are separated by theme (nature, zoology, physics, oceans, art science, and a combo of the others). Participate in the full programmatic cycle, including ideation, creation, collaboration, communication, budgeting, teaching, and revising.
• Co-lead one or more of our seasonal camp sessions in winter and spring. Participate in the full programmatic cycle, including ideation, creation, collaboration, communication, budgeting, teaching, and revising.
• Mentor seasonal Camp Leader Staff and Leader in Training teen volunteers.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of STEAM content and activities that are rich, authentic, and learner-driven in our school year programs
• Collaborate with School and Public Programs Manager and other educators to create curriculum and schedules for education programming.
• Other duties assigned to you at management’s discretion.

General Education Team Responsibilities:

• Collaborate within and across teams toward the achievement of strategic department and organizational initiatives.
• Engage in the Education Department annual and strategic planning.
• Participate in ongoing training, including program animal handling, etc.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

An individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed above and any additional responsibilities as directed as well as satisfy the educational and skill requirements listed below: 

Education and/or Experience: 

• Must be at least 18 years of age and able to work in the United States
• Related experience/training as an educator for children
• Experience with facilitating hands-on inquiry or project-based learning for children.
• Enthusiasm for providing inclusive programming so that all learners can access and participate in meaningful, challenging learning opportunities.
• Demonstrated track record of program facilitation with strong social and emotional competencies.
• Commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the learning environment.

Core Competencies:

• Program Delivery and Facilitation – Ability to deliver engaging, hands-on STEAM educational programs for diverse learners, fostering inquiry-based exploration and supporting the development of the whole child. Demonstrates strong knowledge of STEAM subjects and experience facilitating hands-on, inquiry-based learning activities for children of varied cognitive abilities and identities.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills – Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with learners, caregivers, and colleagues, maintaining a positive and supportive learning environment.
• Adaptability and Problem Solving – Demonstrates flexibility and resilience in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to anticipate challenges, think critically, and implement proactive solutions.
• Social and Emotional Competency – Ability to navigate and support the social-emotional needs of learners, exhibiting empathy, patience, and understanding in program facilitation.
• Organization and Time Management – Efficient in managing multiple tasks, maintaining program materials, and ensuring a well-organized learning space. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Cultural Competency and Inclusion – Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating a welcoming and affirming environment for all staff, volunteers, visitors, and program participants.
• Safety and Compliance – Strong understanding of child safety protocols, including identifying potential risks and maintaining compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

• Take and clear a Live Scan background check
• Current CPR/First Aid/AED certification or willingness to obtain one
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and booster

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job including: 

• Environment: Work is conducted at CuriOdyssey and immediately local space at Coyote Point, with some off-site programming at school sites, and community-based organizations. Programs will take place indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Mobility: Physical ability and endurance to occasionally carry and lift heavy materials, up to 50 pounds. Frequently move from a sitting to a standing position. Traversing uneven surfaces, bending, reaching, sitting on the floor with children and twisting are daily repetitive physical actions. Off-site programs will take place at school organizations in San Mateo County using the CuriOdyssey vehicle.

Psychological Demands

• Address the emotional needs of children
• Provide a supportive and affirming environment for children who may be experiencing bullying, discrimination, or othering
• Communicate to caregivers with both empathy and transparency
• Remain attentive to the physical safety of children, including the proper identification and reporting of potential child abuse
• Interruptible and able to juggle multiple tasks
• Change priorities and “think on your feet.”

Compensation and Benefits

• Compensation: $26.00 per hour, 20 hours/week
• Employment Status: Non-exempt part time
• Desired Start Date: August 18th 2025
• General Schedule: 9:30 am- 1:30 pm, with shifts during summer, winter, and spring camps to Monday - Friday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm
  • Due to the program demands during peak seasonal camps, use of vacation, when applicable, time during summer and other camp seasons may be limited
• Benefits include individual Paid Sick Leave, Vacation accrual (during the summer season) CuriOdyssey membership, and CuriOdyssey Shop discount

To Apply

Please send a resume and cover letter to the Education Department at the email address: jobs@curiodyssey.org with “Part Time STEAM Educator” in the subject line.