[Jobs] MakerKids is Hiring!

Wed Dec 11 17:32:04 EST 2013

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.

We are also looking for freelance instructors and volunteers - if this is
something you are interested in, please email us at careers at makerkids.ca.

*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 Andy 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 Co-founder
and Co-Executive Director (Learning) Andy Forest. 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:*

   1. Lead after school classes, open shop nights, and other workshops and
   events.
   2. Maintain Makerspace materials, tools and equipment.
   3. Develop and enhance Makerspace information signage, window displays
   and organization.
   4. Supervise, train and schedule Makerspace staff and volunteers.
   5. Assist in maintaining budgets, reports, and statistics.
   6. Collaborate with MakerKids staff and outside partners to develop
   maker educational programming
   7. Research, develop and prototype maker activities
   8. Complete other tasks as assigned by Co-Executive Directors Andy
   Forest and Jennifer Turliuk.

*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 at 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.

We are currently looking for Maker Volunteers and Marketing Volunteers:

*Maker Volunteers:*

Would you like to spend time inspiring children and youth? Are you an avid
maker who works well with others and likes to share what you know? Are you
into electronics, 3D printing, robotics, crafting, etc? We are recruiting
Maker Volunteers to serve as near-peer mentors and role models at
MakerKids. You will be selected and trained to engage children, families
and adults in creative projects that develop problem-solving skills, while
gaining experience serving as a community leader. Maker Volunteers will
research, develop and prototype innovative maker activities, and leverage
some of them to create sample projects for visitors. You will maintain
makerspace materials, tools and equipment including hardware and software,
doing shop and inventory management, ordering supplies, etc. Maker
Volunteers will also help to orient and train new volunteers at MakerKids.
You will develop a creative portfolio of your work, project development and
ideas to aid in future career opportunities. Maker Volunteers will be able
to gain leadership skills, increase their confidence and build career
readiness skills.

This is an approximately 10-40 hours/wk volunteer position. If you are a
maker or aspiring maker, interested in building your resume, learning new
skills, and becoming part of a national network of makers, then we'd like
to hear from you! Please email us ASAP to tell us a bit about yourselves at
careers at makerkids.ca.

*Marketing Volunteers:*
Are you passionate about making positive change in the world? Are you
organized, accountable and an efficient multi-tasker? MakerKids is a a
non-profit organization which offers a workshop space for kids in Toronto
and provides creative programs that empower children to learn new hands-on
skills and making projects using electronics, woodworking, sewing,
crafting, 3D printing and more.

The ideal candidate should be prepared work in a fast-paced environment and
be a self-starter. They should have some or all of the following skills.

*Skills:*

Strong Oral and Written Communication Skills
Research Skills
Basic Microsoft Office Suite
Basic Adobe Creative Suite
Fast-learner
Organization skills
Working independently but also collaborating within a team
Social media (how to use different features)
Web 2.0 tools (wikis, Google Docs, Wordpress CMS)
General Marketing Principles
General Business Knowledge
Knowledge of Maker Movement and Social Enterprises is a bonus

*Responsibilities:*
Research data and organize in internal spreadsheet database
Assist in the creation of signage, posters and other communications
Assist in the distribution or delivery of marketing materials
Assist with contacting sponsors or other contacts.
Assist in promoting programs and events via online tools
Assist in other marketing and business admin duties as they may arise

*Majors: *Marketing, Business Administration, Sales, Advertising, Public
Relations, Business

We are looking for someone who is a hard-worker and wants to learn more
skills! This is a volunteer position and a good stepping stone for you to
get the hands-on experience that many employers are looking for.

Please email us at careers at makerkids.ca with your resume, some information
about yourself and why you are interested in this position.

-- 
Jennifer Turliuk
Co-Executive Director (Business side) & Chief Happiness Officer, MakerKids<
http://www.makerkids.ca>
jenn at makerkids.ca / 647-926-2478
twitter.com/jenniferturliuk <http://www.twitter.com/jenniferturliuk>

For more info: makerkids.ca <http://www.makerkids.ca/> and MakerKids
Mailing List<
http://dimentians.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2aacd21d76d4b73e8d097cf77&id=fe9c2f7497
>
Follow us: facebook.com/MakerKids <https://www.facebook.com/MakerKids> and
twitter.com/@Maker_Kids

**We are hiring a Makerspace Leader!* Know anyone? Applications are due
December 20th. Please visit this
page<https://docs.google.com/a/makerkids.ca/document/d/1z5NarNGsGy7dG1YtoG7gubXrxeUAiRsuSrOMjeTxpEs/pub>
for
more info.
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