Working as a staff member at KidSpirit requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance, but it is one of the most rewarding work experiences! Our staff is a team of lifelong learners who work collaboratively, build community, and strive to make each day better and more triumphant than the last. If you're ready to learn and grow as a mentor to children, you'll make a significant part of our team!

Some positions might be unavailable based on the time of year you apply. Contact us with any questions about positions. To learn more about these positions and apply (excluding the Vista Grant positions), visit https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/.

 

TWO Vista Grant Opportunities!

Are you passionate about public health, youth development, community outreach, and making a tangible difference in the lives of underserved children? In that case, we invite you to apply for this life-changing opportunity. Join us in building a more equitable community, one child at a time.

Two AmeriCorps VISTA positions will create long-term capacity to serve hundreds of low-income children who have previously been unable to access the high-quality programming offered through the OSU campus-based program. Increasingly, there is concern that the disparity of access contributes to the growing divide between children of different backgrounds in our community. The two VISTA opportunities will work to create quality out-of-school time programs accessible to all youth.

The AmeriCorps VISTA members will help OSU KidSpirit to remedy this with a coordinated effort between two opportunities: 

1) KidSpirit VISTA Pre-K Equity Builder: responsible for developing, implementing, and assessing a Pre-Kindergarten program based on an evidence-based anti-poverty curriculum incorporating gymnastics, motor skills, and school readiness. The VISTA will collaborate with VISTA position #2 on assessing funding aspects of the Pre-K Program towards a sustainable program delivery model. Link to apply 

2) KidSpirit VISTA Fundraising and Capacity Building Specialist: Improve accessibility, capacity, and sustainability of KidSpirit as a set of programs serving youth grades pre-K-12th and securing stable support by networking, fundraising, and building relationships with university officials, local support systems, and local communities. Collaborate with VISTA position #1 on assessing funding aspects of the Pre-K Program towards a sustainable program delivery model. Link to Apply

AmeriCorps VISTA Benefits: 

  • A housing stipend to support your living arrangements.
  • The choice of an Education Award or End of Service Stipend.
  • Health coverage to ensure your well-being during your service.
  • The opportunity to earn an education award upon successful completion of your service.

*For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit http://www.vistacampus.gov/healthcare.

Learn more and apply today on the AmeriCorps website.

 

SCHOOL YEAR POSITIONS:

Instructors: Recreational programs and special events

  • Teach gymnastics, archery, cooking, sewing, or swimming.
  • Engage with kids and supervise activities during ACES days (one-day camps), birthday parties, and other special events.

 

Office Staff and Marketing/Multimedia

  • Office staff must know the KidSpirit programs, policies, and procedures to maintain current operations and give quality insight into improvements. Daily responsibilities include positive customer service, database entries, filing, answering phones, processing registrations, assisting children, and creating a helpful and supportive office environment.
  • Marketing/Multimedia: Responsible for, but not limited to, photography, writing, graphics, videography, and social media platforms promoting KidSpirit. Marketing occasionally may be asked to assist or instruct class activities along with helping in the office. 

"The Office at KidSpirit is where all the magic happens, and we have often been referred to as 'the heart of KidSpirit.' There's a lot of work to be done, but it's so rewarding to keep all of our wonderful programs up and running!" - MoMo (2015)

 

Volunteers/Interns

Volunteer positions are available during the school year and KidSpirit's Summer Day Camp. Volunteers are responsible for, but not limited to, specific KidSpirit project areas. It is the student's task to present a project area idea to KidSpirit administrators for completing practicum or internship opportunities. There may be circumstances where projects are already predetermined, and students will be given the opportunity to choose a project.

"Working with Teen Leaders was never something I would have seen myself loving, but I have truly never experienced something I felt as passionate about as the Teen Leader program. Every day, whether easy or hard, is more rewarding than I ever thought a job could be. Teenagers are awesome!" - Smiles (2016)

 

SUMMER POSITIONS:

Those applying for summer staff willing to work 40 hours per week are given preference. We will hire part-time workers in the summer only if we do not reach capacity with those wanting to work full-time. All summer staff must complete 30 hours of training before the first day of camp.

 

Education Program Assistant (Leadership team)

This is a great summer opportunity for teachers, previous camp counselors, and anyone with experience working with youth and instructing classes! We are hiring 4 Education Program Assistants to work 20-40 hours per week during our summer day camp. You will be providing valuable support and mentorship to our college student staff. This is a chance to train the next generation of leaders!

"Leadership at KidSpirit requires you to be outside of your comfort zone every day, but every day you have the reaffirmation that someone will always catch you no matter what" - Top Hat (2010)

 

Head Instructor: Summer camp

A head instructor is responsible for creating lesson plans and instructing our classes in our summer day camp. These can be classroom classes across a wide range of subjects, including art, science, and more, AND they can be outside sports or games. We always hope to hire students with experience in archery, gymnastics, cooking, sewing, sports, and art, but we will train anyone excellent with children to teach us.

Working as a head instructor cultivates planning, teaching, and supervising skills and is an excellent resume builder for almost any future profession.

"Head Instructing taught me to be more confident and comfortable working with kids. I even got more experience working with new age groups, which was fun!" -Noodle (2021)

 

Camp Counselor

Camp counselors supervise and engage with children in an assigned group daily. They walk children to each of their camp classes and assist the head instructors in keeping the campers entertained. This staff must understand and embody the KidSpirit mission and goals.

"KidSpirit is a new experience every time. You will leap outside your comfort zone and learn what you are truly able to do." - Spirit (2016)

 

Counselor In Training (CIT)- Unpaid

This volunteer position includes training focused on assisting summer camp staff and developing professional skills, including resume workshops and community service opportunities. Skills required to become a CIT include working independently, being task-oriented, having experience working with children, taking instruction, having a general interest in developing professionalism and giving and receiving feedback.