Title: Summer Support Specialist (Grades K-8)
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday
Type: Full-Time (40 hrs.) during the contracted period
Pay Scale: $17-$18 per hour/$720 weekly (Support Specialists)
Saturday Academy seeks a broad spectrum of employees reflecting our community and those we serve. Saturday Academy is strongly committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment. Qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. This position is available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender, political affiliation, or religion. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals. Saturday Academy is an equal-opportunity employer.
BACKGROUND:
Founded in 1983, Saturday Academy (SA) is a nonprofit educational organization that provides thousands of youth with hands-on learning; guided by experts in a way that enriches young lives and develops a life-long curiosity and passion for learning. Saturday Academy offers classes, summer camps, and afterschool programs throughout the Portland Metropolitan area (grades K-12), as well as a state-wide high school internship program placing students in some of Oregon’s most well-known businesses. We inspire children to pursue their curiosity, with programming centered in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). Saturday Academy strives to make our programs accessible to all and as an organization values Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Quality Programming/Student Experience, A Growth Mindset, Our Staff, and STEAM.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Saturday Academy is looking for individuals who have early-childhood educational engagement experience, a passion for guiding STEAM-themed activities, and a commitment to reducing barriers to access in STEAM education opportunities for youth. Saturday Academy offers full-day, full-week summer programs from 9am-4pm. Camps are collaboratively taught by two educators and a support specialist, with guidance and structure provided by SA staff.
We are seeking support specialists with experience or interest in a range of STEAM disciplines, including but not limited to creative arts, theatre and drama, visual arts, introductory science investigations, engineering design challenges, coding, makerspace exploration, and hands-on building (including LEGO and similar tools).
DATES (Summer 2026):
June 22-June 26, 2026
June 29-July 2, 2026
July 6-10, 2026
July 13-17, 2026
July 20-24, 2026
July 27-July 31, 2026
August 3-7, 2026
August 10-14, 2026
August 17-21, 2026
We celebrate arts-integrated and STEM-driven approaches to learning, drawing strong connections for each individual to tune into the world around them and how it works. We focus on cultivating key life skills in students, such as collaboration, empathy, communication, and creative problem-solving.
Close coordination and communication with Saturday Academy staff is essential to ensure your camp technology and supply needs are met.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
- Provide supportive and compassionate classroom management strategies throughout programming with a focus on addressing individual needs.
- Assist in facilitating age-appropriate hands-on activities for campers.
- Opportunities to lead in activities within camp classroom spaces (as requested by educators) and during all camp gatherings
- Support a variety of activities that range from low to high impact, that can span in subject areas from mixed-media art projects to science and engineering experiments to outdoor sports and games.
- Maintain high levels of engagement and exude positive energy throughout the day.
- Provide for the well-being and safety of campers by meeting physical and emotional needs in compliance with the state and Saturday Academy’s policies
- Communicate with the Lead Support Specialist regarding any needs, concerns, etc.
- Model full engagement of activities for campers, participating and demonstrating throughout the day.
DESIRED SKILLS OR EXPERIENCE:
- Passionate commitment to the transformative power of hands-on learning
- Experience working with diverse populations of youth in one or more of the following: childcare, before or after-school programming, summer programs, schools, or other capacities
- Exemplifies a high level of patience and understanding with any emotional and physical needs of youth that may arise
- Positively supports inclusion in all forms: ethnic, gender, gender identity, religious/spiritual affiliations, disabilities, political perspectives, etc.
- Strives for excellence, is self-motivated, and able to problem solve. We appreciate folks who meet challenges as opportunities.
- Possesses strong oral communication skills
- Thinks strategically, acts resourcefully, and makes decisions with conviction
- Exhibits a strong work ethic and personal integrity, and can remain enthusiastic and successful in a fast-paced work environment
- Shows strong interpersonal skills, a sense of humor, and the ability to network and build lasting relationships
- Works well independently and as part of a cohesive team
- Fully vaccinated
- Possess reliable transportation or means of transport to join us at an off-site partner location.
TO APPLY:
- Please complete this summer availability form to help us get a sense of your expertise, preferences, and availability.
- Submit cover letter reflecting how you meet the required/preferred qualifications and your resume via the link above. Please submit as one document using the title: YOUR NAME – SUPPORT SPECIALIST
YOUTHPROGRAMS@SaturdayAcademy.org - The deadline for applications is Mar 10, 2026
- We will reach out to you with the next steps and/or to schedule an interview, if necessary.