Exhibition Technician

New York Hall of Science • New York, NY

9d • $55,000 - $58,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) is seeking an Exhibit Technician to perform maintenance, repair, and upkeep on exhibitions. The technician will work with the Exhibit Experience and Operations team to respond to calls about broken exhibits and fix them promptly. This role involves short-term fixes (e.g., power cycling, fuse replacement), medium-term fixes (e.g., sourcing parts, painting, software adjustments), long-term iterations (collaborating with the exhibits team on upgrades), and routine maintenance. The technician will also collaborate with colleagues across the Exhibits team to design, fabricate, and implement upgrades to existing exhibits that have experiential, operational, or chronic maintenance challenges. This includes identifying, scoping, researching, and designing solutions, fabricating solutions in the shop, and identifying opportunities to address weaknesses in exhibit operations and maintenance.

Requirements

• Knowledge of carpentry, metal and plastics, AV systems, electronics, and electro-mechanical repair.
• Knowledge of basic software programming to competently alter variables or values in existing code.
• Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, and material uses as they apply to existing exhibits.
• Knowledge of materials, methods, and tools for repairing exhibits, buildings, or other structures.
• Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Ability to maintain on-site tools, equipment, and parts for timely exhibit repair.
• Knowledge, experience, patience, and curiosity with troubleshooting AV, electronic, and electromechanical systems, including outdated AV configurations.
• A design-thinking perspective for troubleshooting broken exhibits.
• Commitment to maintaining engaging, accessible, inclusive hands-on exhibit experiences.
• Support NYSCI’s mission and translate it into exhibit design.
• Balance priorities of repair, maintenance, exhibit experience, and audience safety.
• Train and support teammates in repair, maintenance, and shop tools.
• Create and maintain documentation for repair and maintenance needs.
• Draw on passion and knowledge about technology to support creative, engaged learning.
• Strong communication skills (written, oral, visual).
• Active listening skills.
• Experience considering the needs and interests of diverse audiences of children.
• Expertise with furniture, mechanical systems, and electronics.
• A combination of flexible thinking with a hacker mindset and an ability to follow guides and manuals.
• Willingness to collaborate with team members and other departments.
• Ability to support a vision of educational and creative excellence for NYSCI’s exhibition spaces.
• Associate's degree or Trade School Certificate, BA or BS in a field relevant to physical computing, engineering, design, and fabrication, or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of two years of continuing technical support of an event, building, or system.
• Demonstrated ability to repair things with and without a manual.
• Demonstrable ability to solve problems and implement solutions flexibly and thoroughly.
• Experience or at least tolerance of working in chaotic or loud environments that serve families and children.
• Ability to communicate effectively with external parties.
• Ability to actively listen and be a responsive, reflective participant in discussions.
• Ability to provide up-to-date information to supervisors, co-workers, and other internal personnel.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.

Nice To Haves

• Experience collaborating on the design and fabrication of interactive science exhibits is a plus.
• Lift driving, forklift driving, and moving things via a pallet jack are big pluses.

Responsibilities

• Identify and implement solutions to repair exhibits, sometimes following manuals and other times using flexible thinking.
• Respond to radio calls reporting exhibit issues on the museum floor.
• Record broken exhibits into the tracking system (MONDAY.COM).
• Collaborate with the Exhibits team to identify repair solutions.
• Identify and purchase repair-related materials, tracking spending.
• Record repair steps, maintain manuals, and train others.
• Prototype ideas for repairs and upkeep.
• Create and maintain schedules for routine exhibit maintenance.
• Identify, scope, research, and design solutions to chronic exhibit maintenance problems.
• Fabricate solutions to chronic exhibit maintenance problems in collaboration with the fabrication shop.
• Identify opportunities to address chronic weaknesses in exhibit operations and maintenance with the Exhibit Operations team and Shop Director.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance options
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare, dependent care, and commuter benefits
• Pension plan and 401 (k) plan
• Free life insurance coverage
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 13 paid holidays off
• Flexible work schedules
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free onsite parking

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree