Open World Student Staff - Event / Summer Instructor, Su25

• Student Employment at DigiPen is open to all currently matriculated students if they meet the qualifications for the job.
• Students may not work during any time when they have a class scheduled, a class is canceled, or a class ends early.
• Student workers must reside within the State of Washington. Remote work outside of Washington will not be permitted.

Job Title: Open World Student Staff - Event / Summer Instructor, Su25

Reports to: Danny Samuels, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Open World Philosophy

Every child who attends our workshops should come away feeling engaged by our instructors and industry guests, excited to share what they learned and created, empowered with the skills to continue creating, and cared for by every member of our team.

Open World Core Values

• Exploration: Our program allows students to explore new fields and dive deep into subjects they are passionate about.
• Fun: Our program experience is focused on fun and exposure, rather than academic outcomes that must be achieved.
• Industry connection: Our students will experience a direct connection to the interactive media industry, via our instructors and industry guests.
• Problem solving: Through our workshops’ fun and engaging activities, our students will learn problem solving skills that can be applied outside of our program.
• Care: Every student who attends our workshops will feel seen and cared for.

Who’s on the team?

In addition to student staff, there are five year-round Open World team members:

• Emily Kirby, VP of Open World
• Danny Samuels, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
• David Robson, Curriculum Developer
• Brittan Wilkey, Assistant Director for Marketing
• Emily Collins, Operations Manager

Before you apply, please review the following information:

• Summer staff must be available from June 10-August 16, 2024
• Staff training: June 9 – 20, 2025 (hours may fluctuate between 30 - 40 hours a week during training, so financially plan accordingly)
• Workshops: June 23 – August 15, 2025 for all staff
• Workshops: August 18 – August 22 for a smaller crew (this will be offered out during the hiring process based on need and fit)
• Locations: DigiPen Institute of Technology (Redmond, WA), Cascadia College (Bothell, WA)
• Hours fall between 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., but schedules may vary depending on specific responsibilities and location (40 hours max)
• Must pass a criminal background check and 5-panel (non-THC) drug screen
• Workshops are held on-site at DigiPen and off-site at Cascadia College. You may be asked to work at either location. Transportation will be provided when necessary.

Essential Functions

• Work with a co-teacher to lead one- to two-week-long workshops for K-12 students
• Engage all students in active learning
• Maintain a safe, productive, caring, fun environment for all
• Communicate with parents, students, and teammates clearly and professionally
• Help answer questions from students and parents
• Other duties as assigned
• Accountable for tracking and reporting the amount of time worked

Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Knowledge in any of the fields of computer science, art and animation, game design, robotics, music and sound design, or other relevant experience
• Ability to work collaboratively with a co-teacher and with other team members
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Ability to engage students; enjoys working with children and teens
• Ability to provide a supportive experience to all students and adapt to changing student support needs
• Must have completed high school

Bonus Skills/Attributes:

• Previous experience with K-12 students
• Has current CPR/first aid certification
• Leadership or presentation experience
• Previous teaching experience
• Experience planning and leading events, clubs, or group activities
• Strong attention to detail

Additional Knowledge

The following knowledge and skills are highly recommended but not required:

Art and Animation

• Art fundamentals (perspective, shading, form, and color theory)
• 2D and/or 3D animation production experience

Game Design

• Understanding of basic game design principles and concepts
• Unity Development
• Unreal Engine Development
• Basic programming concepts including -variables, iteration, conditionals, and functions in any high-level language such as C , C#, Java, and Javascript
• Frequent and enthusiastic player of tabletop and video games

Music & Sound Design

• Basic understanding of music theory
• Intermediate knowledge and skill with composing music and sound design
• Experience working with digital audio workstation software

Programming

• Foundational knowledge and experience programming with high-level programming, including such as C , C#, Java, and Javascript
• Experience applying fundamental software engineering processes and practices to write a variety of software, including simple games.

Robotics

• Experience working with robotic kits made by Lego or Vexx.
• Experience programming basic robotic elements, including motors and sensors

Compensation

• $20 per hour
• Returning staff who have previously worked in K12 summer programs at DigiPen may qualify for up to $30 per hour.
• Not benefits eligible.

Expected number of hours per week: 40

Students are expected to work up to 40 hours a week. If they are taking summer classes at DigiPen, they are ineligible for this position.

Working Conditions

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands:

• Some lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling
• Some stooping, kneeling, or crouching
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs.

DigiPen Student Employee Academic Requirements:

• Are currently a Matriculated student at DigiPen Institute of Technology
• Good Academic Standing – not on Academic Warning as defined in DigiPen Course Catalog
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Have taken and passed the class with a B or better

Requirement Exceptions:

It is possible to still be selected for a position with DigiPen if you do not meet the requirements above, so don't let that dissuade you from applying!

Once you have applied for – and the supervisor decides to offer you – a position, we will contact the necessary managers (Supervisor, Department Chair, and/or the Dean of Faculty) to complete and sign off on an Academic Waiver form, depending on which requirements need to be waived. Once the Waiver is returned to us, we'll continue you through the hiring process.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and academic freedom are priorities of DigiPen Institute of Technology, as DigiPen endorses the goals of affirmative action and equal opportunity employment. The Institute's intent is to hire the most qualified individuals for faculty and staff, attracting candidates from diverse backgrounds of race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, veteran status, nationality, culture, religion, and physical abilities. We are committed to broadening our candidate pool to include more diverse individuals and ensuring fairness in hiring by avoiding bias and determining criteria to judge all candidates prior to posting each new position.