Lead Guide - Youth Program - Summer

Start Date: July 27, 2026

Pay: $40 per hour

Type: W2, Hourly, Part-time

Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm | Monday-Friday | July 27-September 4, some part‑time hours available September 7-11

Reports to: Director of Youth Initiatives

Direct Reports: None (but Lead Guides will take more of a leadership role with the team)

Organization

Summary:

GMCC has a 118‑year history collaborating with communities to make a positive impact throughout Minnesota. Our initiatives and programs have included advocacy and education around equity and poverty; volunteerism and service learning; mentoring and youth development; support services for seniors; and food security. Today, GMCC is an entrepreneurial organization that partners with the communities most impacted by a challenge or opportunity to co‑design and lead a response.

We work in the areas of youth, food, and well‑being.

GMCC Youth Initiatives include:

• Out‑of‑school, skill‑building STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programming
• Integrated trauma‑informed, whole‑child approach to teaching and learning
• Hands‑on activities that foster creativity, independence, critical thinking, and self‑awareness
• Efforts to engage families in children’s education to provide a constellation of support and improve academic achievement
• A focus on decreasing educational disparities by supporting young people with foundational skills and promoting a love for learning

Lead Guides work in collaboration with the Director of Youth Initiatives, Youth Program Managers, and other colleagues to lead GMCC’s Lake Street Youth Labs STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) Summer Camp. STEAM Summer Camp is a no‑cost, five‑week program for students entering grades 1‑8. Our diverse group of students enjoy weekly STEAM‑themed programming (e.g., Extraordinary Engineering; Outdoor Adventures); swimming and outdoor time;

and Friday field trips to places such as The Works Museum, The Bell Museum, and Phalen Regional Park. Breakfast, lunch, and snack are included daily. Successful Lead Guides are fun, energetic, and love young people and out‑of‑school time learning.

• Lead programming hours and deliver curriculum to students in groups of 10‑25
• Build healthy relationships with youth participants
• Ensure activities follow organizational policies, protocols, and best practices and fulfill grant obligations
• Address challenges and obstacles as they arise

• Design and deliver enriching, engaging and relevant learning experiences in a variety of topics, in particular STEAM (science, technology, engineer, arts, math), physical activity, and social emotional learning
• Support team meetings with program staff to discuss course corrections and strategic approaches
• Identify, engage, and coordinate auxiliary partners and visiting instructors to provide events, programming, and curriculum
• Ensure programming takes a trauma‑informed, whole‑child approach

• Identify and fulfill logistics related to program delivery (set up, supplies, scheduling)
• Maintain accurate program records, including participant attendance, performance, and outcomes.
• Document and file lesson plans
• Complete observational documentation
• Attend and actively participate in relevant staff meetings and professional development opportunities
• Other duties as assigned

• Undergraduate Degree in Education or related field
• Experience working with diverse youth (BIPOC youth especially) and with group management. Classroom teaching experience preferred
• Experience crafting engaging, hands‑on lesson plans
• Experience and competence working with people from backgrounds other than your own and ability to communicate clearly and diplomatically, both orally and in written form, with people from various backgrounds
• Commitment to equity, social justice, and building intercultural skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and interest in building interpersonal connections
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and track and meet goals
• Ability to maintain and support confidentiality

Please email Meghann Gordon, Director of Youth Programs (mgordon), including a résumé, cover letter, and three references.