The heart of the Institute is a full-scale representation of the Senate Chamber, in which students and teachers participate in simulated Senate debates and voting sessions.  The SIM is an educational experience that capitalizes on mobile devices, game principles and open source architecture to effectively engage new generations of Americans.  Students participating in a SIM engage in role-play, deliberation, negotiation, and debate with fellow students to make sense of the legislative process.  The Institute assists students and teachers in classroom preparation for the SIM, in active play at the Institute and debriefing on their experience.

 

Groups of up to 100 student senators can participate together in a SIM, working in a full-scale representation of the Senate Chamber and in the Institute’s surrounding classroom studies.  A state-of-the-art facility – including digital projections, handheld tablets and an integrated AV system – supports the recreation and animation of committee hearings and floor debates.  The proprietary SIM software enables teachers to support their students’ progress in real time.  Students work together in varied group sizes to consider historical issues and current policies, horse trading and collaborating to create and vote on legislation, relying on their own individual tablets as “chiefs of staff” throughout.

 

This Role:  The Senate Immersion Module (SIM) Staff, reporting to the SIM Captain, is primarily responsible for assisting in the facilitation of the Senate Immersion Module Program, including semi-scripted role-playing of party whips, expert witnesses, Senate staffers, and others.  SIM Staffers will also assist in the Institute’s surround exhibits as needed.  These are part time positions with a varying work schedule not to exceed 20 hours per work week, to include weekend scheduling.  These positions are not eligible for benefits.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Facilitate components of the (SIM) game.
  • Work with SIM Captain and Education Coordinator on game practices and tone.
  • Ensure that the standards of excellence set by EMK Institute are reflected in the daily presentation of the SIM.
  • Perform roles as needed in both historic and contemporary SIMs.
  • Participate in ongoing training for SIM to ensure consistent quality of gameplay.
  • Learn content of SIMs prior to performance.
  • Report regularly to SIM Captain on guest engagement and technological functionality.

 

The Ideal Candidate will possess:

  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Experience working with students or adults in a hands-on learning environment or living history setting.
  • Creative, engaging personality with the ability to exhibit the gravitas necessary for performing particular roles in the SIM.
  • Experience working with large groups and an ability to respond skillfully to a wide variety of people from different social and cultural backgrounds.
  • The ability to think on one’s feet to troubleshoot issues that may arise in working with large groups of students.
  • An interest in and basic working knowledge of politics, government, and the legislative process.
  • Comfort working in a collaborative, technology-based start-up environment.
  • Experience working with varied audiences: students, teachers, faculty, administrator, state and local officials in role play, educational, or museum learning environments.
  • Ability to represent the Institute to the general public.
  • Practical and creative problem solving skills.
  • Willingness and ability to work some nights and weekends as necessary.

Please email résumé and cover letter to resumes@emkinstitute.org, “Senate Immersion Module

Staff” in the subject line.  Please, no phone calls.

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for The United States Senate is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law. 

Qualifications:

Must be a confident public speaker.

  • Bachelor of Arts degree preferred.
  • Experience with museums or hands-on learning environments preferred.
  • At least 1 of relevant work experience required, some of which should be in a hands-on learning environment, school setting, or working directly with students in an educational or performance setting.
  • Improvisational or theatric backgrounds a plus.

How To Apply:

Please email résumé and cover letter to resumes@emkinstitute.org, “Senate Immersion Module

Staff” in the subject line.  Please, no phone calls.

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for The United States Senate is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law. 

Apply by:
February 13, 2015

About this Organization:
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate (the EMK Institute) is dedicated to educating the public about our government, invigorating public discourse, encouraging participatory democracy, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders. We believe that the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate will be one of the leading organizations working to turn the tide on civic education. Offering a new model for education and outreach, the EMK Institute will invite the American public into the discourse on the challenges facing the nation. Toward that end, the EMK Institute will be a portal into the legislative process and a training ground for the decision-makers of the future.