Afterschool Group Leader

Afterschool Group Leader

Summary: The Mississippi Children’s Museum (MCM) is looking for an enthusiastic, patient, and understanding individual to work in a fast-paced, fun, and educational childcare environment. The ideal candidate should possess a caring attitude, positive energy, and readiness to interact with both children and adults to help keep museum spaces well maintained. This is a part-time position, with hours from 2:15 PM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday, most weekdays after school, in alignment with the Jackson Public Schools calendar. Additional hours will be available during school breaks as desired.

Principal Accountabilities

• Supervises and ensures the safety of a group of children while adhering to museum policies and practices regarding children and staff.
• Leads children in daily activities such as STEAM projects, social-emotional learning, physical education games, and both structured and unstructured free play.
• Supports children in managing emotions and helps during emotional challenges and constructive peer interactions.
• Follows the daily schedule efficiently and proactively adapts to changes based on the group’s overall needs.
• Collaborates with other adults to effectively manage children.
• Communicates professionally and courteously with museum staff, afterschool children, and guests.
• Assists with daily setup to prepare for children’s arrival and meet group needs.
• Maintains the cleanliness of museum spaces and playgrounds, including resetting and spraying museum galleries.
• Follows all MCM policies and procedures.
• Works closely and collaboratively with the Learning Experiences Department team to support the museum’s mission, vision, and strategic goals and create valuable experiences.

Qualifications and Skills

• Experience working with children in settings such as daycares, schools, afterschool programs, sports, or other child engagement environments.
• Demonstrates integrity, patience, adaptability, a sense of humor, enthusiasm, and a strong commitment to serving children ages 3 to 10 years old.
• Enjoys leading activities and facilitating play in a fast-paced, non-traditional environment.
• First Aid, CPR, or lifeguarding training is preferred.

Work Schedule

• Available for training on July 23, July 24, July 27, and July 28.
• Monday through Friday, 2:15 PM to 5:30 PM most weeks, following the Jackson Public School District calendar beginning Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The JPS school calendar may dictate specific day changes. 
• Scheduled shifts for day camps during school holidays.
• Additional hours may be available for other programs and departments.

Evening Events Scheduled 

• Parent Nights—Group leaders are required to attend only on the night their group meets. Nights by Group assignments will be made closer to the start of the school year.
  • Tuesday, January 26, 2027
  • Tuesday, February 23, 2027
  • Tuesday, April 27, 2027
• All Staff Meetings
  • November 19, 2026 
  • May 20, 2027
• Department Meetings—All on Thursdays unless otherwise specified.
  • Thursdays in 2026: 
    • December 3
  • Thursdays in 2027: 
    • January 28
    • February 18
    • March 18
    • April 15
    • May 6
  • Email to careers@mcm.ms
    (Please submit as a Microsoft Word file or PDF and not as an HTML or ZIP file)