Creative Exploration Facilitator

STEPPING STONES MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN•Norwalk, CT

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The Creative Exploration Facilitator is a skilled visitor engagement professional responsible for delivering spontaneous floor experiences and leading structured experiences, such as workshops and school group visits. This intermediate role combines responsive floor facilitation with the ability to adapt content for diverse audiences, mentor entry-level staff, and contribute to experience improvements. Creative Exploration Facilitator staff work collaboratively to create meaningful learning experiences, support special events, and help maintain the museum's high standards for visitor engagement. This role requires demonstrated improvisational skills, comfort leading groups, and a commitment to continuous learning. This role is fundamentally people-facing and requires an outgoing, energetic professional who thrives on constant visitor interaction. Comfort with spontaneous public engagement and the ability to confidently approach and connect with strangers, including large groups, are essential. The Creative Exploration Facilitator spends 100% of their time on the museum floor engaging with visitors and facilitating workshops, unless otherwise scheduled. This is a part-time position of twenty to twenty-nine (20–29) hours per week and requires schedule flexibility, including a minimum of one (1) weekend day, occasional evenings, and holidays to support museum operations, programs, and events as needed.

Requirements

Excellent interpersonal skills, professional maturity, adaptability, and self-reliance
Self-aware and self-regulating; reads social and emotional cues; demonstrates empathy and active listening with visitors and colleagues
Strong relationship builder: Communicates effectively across all organizational levels, manages disagreements constructively, and welcomes feedback to foster trust
Consistently demonstrates good judgment and maintains composure in challenging situations
Intrinsically motivated with a positive attitude; embraces change, setbacks, and last-minute adjustments with enthusiasm and curiosity
Sensitive to diversity, including individuals with physical challenges or special needs
Associate's degree in education, child development, museum studies, or related field; or - High school diploma plus minimum 2 years relevant experience in youth education, informal learning, or museum settings
Experience facilitating informal/experiential education with children and families in structured settings through school group experiences or workshops
Experience in museum or informal learning environments
Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and learning styles
Naturally outgoing, comfortable being “on” and engaging with hundreds of visitors daily for 4-6 hour shifts
Thrives in high-visibility roles requiring constant public interaction and performance
Confident approaching strangers of all ages and backgrounds to initiate conversations and facilitate experiences
Comfortable being the center of attention while leading groups, facilitating activities, and commanding floor presence
Background or strong interest in STEAM, arts, performance, or education
Strong improvisational and creative problem-solving abilities
CPR/First Aid certification (museum to provide)
Good organizational and time management skills with attention to detail
Team-oriented mindset with collaborative approach
Reliable, professional, adaptable, and flexible
Able to kneel, sit on the floor, and engage at children's eye level for extended periods
Comfortable working in active, high-energy, sometimes loud environments

Nice To Haves

Bilingual skills (a plus)
Experience with individuals with physical challenges or special needs

Responsibilities

Proactively initiate spontaneous, responsive engagement with visitors throughout operating hours—approaching families, greeting visitors, and creating connections without hesitation
Facilitate hands-on discovery experiences across museum areas
Create welcoming, inclusive environments demonstrating cultural competency
Maintain high energy and physical presence during extended floor shifts
Serve as flexible support across museum areas on high-volume days
Engage parents, caregivers, and teachers in the learning process
Lead interactive, age-appropriate workshops and tours for school groups
Facilitate multiple sessions per day, adapting presentation style and content to different grade levels and learning needs
Support family experiences, group visits, afterschool experiences, summer camps, and special events
Prepare materials and supplies for programming in an organized, systematic manner
Maintain materials and supplies in communal workspace
Model best practices in visitor engagement for Discovery Guide staff
Provide informal guidance and support to entry-level staff and volunteers
Share constructive feedback and resources with team members
Answer questions and assist colleagues during challenging visitor interactions
Promote museum membership, experiences, and events effectively
Answer questions about museum offerings, exhibits, experiences, and wayfinding
Contribute ideas for improving visitor engagement and experience delivery
Participate in team meetings and professional development workshops
Maintain flexibility in scheduling to meet operational needs during peak times