Summer Camp Assistant Manager at National Building Museum – Washington, District of Columbia

The National Building Museum inspires curiosity about the world we design and build.

We are a private, nonprofit institution that transforms understanding of the history and impact of architecture, engineering, landscape architecture and design. The National Building Museum educates, entertains, and engages people about the built environment and challenges them to advocate for a sustainable and equitable future.

Position Summary

Application Deadline: April 5, 2026

Start Date: June 1st, 2026

The National Building Museum is looking for an energetic and hard-working individual to oversee counselors and campers in a summer of STEAM fun! The Summer Camp Assistant Manager is responsible for overseeing the teaching and logistics of the Museum’s Summer Camp program. As part of the camp team (6 Counselors, 1 Manager, 1 Assistant Manager, 1 Coordinator) within the Education Department, the Camp Assistant Manager will ensure smooth daily operations of summer camp activities for children from 2nd- 5th grade. The Summer Camp Assistant Manager works with the Summer Camp Manager and the year-round Youth Programs team to implement 8 weeks of camp. The position will be one of two main point people for all things camp - communication with camp staff and families, assisting Camp Counselors in the classroom, covering call outs, behavioral issues with campers, and overseeing Camp Aftercare programming. Depending on the number of camps running that week, up to 4 counselors will be scheduled with 2 counselors off each week. The Manager and Assistant Manager will be scheduled for all eight weeks of camp.

Click here for to see our Camp Webpage for more information about the types of camps we are running this summer!

Hours and Pay

Summer Camp at the National Building Museum runs Monday through Friday for eight weeks. Once camp begins, the hours for the Assistant Manager will rotate with the Manager between 8:00 – 4:00 and 10:00 – 6:00 (or earlier depending on after care pick-ups). During planning and training periods, the hours will be standard 7.5 hour days starting between 8-9am and ending between 4-5pm. The hourly rate for this position is $25.

Responsibilities

• Works with Summer Camp Manager and Manager of School and Family Programs to implement Camp Counselor Training.
• Assists with the implementation of hands-on, project-based curriculum and activities for the Museum’s six-week summer camp. This could include, but is not limited to, assisting teachers in preparing for lessons (such as daily prep, set up, and clean up), collecting materials, building models, assisting in teaching of lessons, and being a chaperone for field trips
• Ensures proper camp forms are in each classroom, updated weekly, and track camper attendance.
• Works with camp parents in a professional manner and handle any concerns in a timely manner. Set and enforce clear behavior expectations for campers, then identify and respond to camper behavior issues appropriately as they arise.
• Assists counselors of camp and camp aftercare in building responsive classrooms, modifying lessons as appropriate to the Counselor’s personal teaching style, classroom dynamics, and camper needs/abilities by troubleshooting and brainstorming throughout the summer.
• Create a fun, curious, supportive camp environment by building personal connections with campers and counselors.
• Defers to Summer Camp Manager for liaising with other museums teams (GSA, Security, Special Events, Collections).

Required Qualifications

• Experience coordinating a summer camp, afterschool program, or something similar.
• 2 years of experience working directly with youth in a camp, after school program, or recreation setting, facilitating activities or lessons for a group of children.
• Reliable, patient, hardworking.
• Experience working with children.
• Excellent organizational and customer service skills.
• Excellent communication skills with both children and adults.
• Demonstrated ability to simultaneously balance multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems effectively.
• Ability to work independently as well within a team environment.
• Experience creating youth programming/lesson plans.

Additional Optional Qualifications

• Knowledge of or interest in architecture, design, engineering, and the built environment is desirable but not required.
• Bachelor’s Degree (preferably in education, museum studies, or related field); relevant professional experience can be substituted.

Summer Schedule (Monday to Friday)

• Assistant Manager Begins: June 1st
• Counselor Training: June 15th – June 19th
• Summer Camp Session 1: June 22nd – 25th
• Assistant Manager + Counselors off: June 29th – July 3rd
• Summer Camp Session 2: July 6- 10
• Summer Camp Session 3: July 13 – 19
• Summer Camp Session 4: July 20 - 24
• Summer Camp Session 5: July 27 – July 31
• Summer Camp Session 6: Aug 3 - 7
• Summer Camp Session 7: Aug 10 –14
• Summer Camp Session 8: Aug 17 – 21
• Assistant Manager End Date: August 21st

ADA SPECIFICATIONS

This is an active work position that requires the ability to move about the Museum frequently and to position oneself to interact & communicate appropriately with camp participants. Employee may be responsible for moving objects up to 20 lbs. when needed.