Lead Exhibit Technician

Great Lakes Science Center•Cleveland, OH

1h•$50,000 - $63,000•Onsite

About The Position

Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) is committed to providing STEM for all, with unique approaches to STEM education and workforce development that inspire future STEM professionals and the next generation of an increasingly STEM-engaged world. As Cleveland continues to rise, with plans to further increase public access, business, housing, education, and tourism on the lakefront, GLSC will be a central voice. The most recent strategic business plan is driving an exciting comprehensive campaign that is revitalizing our renown education programs, activating the guest experience with major new exhibition galleries and strong staffing, while also building our endowment to ensure a strong future. GLSC’s annual operating budget averages more than $8 million, including 40% contributed revenue, a growing strength of the organization as we near the completion of our comprehensive campaign. The annual operating budget includes more than 60% earned revenue, which is bolstered by summer camps, the café, store, parking garage, and the Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater— the world’s first giant dome cinema laser system. GLSC is home of the NASA Glenn Visitor Center and the 9th grade of Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s award-winning MC2 STEM High School. For four years in a row (2022-2025), GLSC has been voted a top ten science museum in the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice travel awards. Our organization has repeatedly launched innovative strategic initiatives that receive widespread recognition. Our Manufacturing Day program has become a national model. GLSC’s Robotics Initiative in collaboration with Cleveland Metropolitan School District is a year-round program that prepares students to compete in FIRST and to put their skills to use in transformative ways, like designing and building prosthetics for children. In February 2024, the Cleveland Creates Gallery presented by the Sherwin Williams Company, opened to the public, with an awe-inspiring exhibition focusing on the technology and workforce advances of the region. In April 2024, GLSC welcomed nearly 40,000 guests to the 2024 Total Eclipse Fest, a science and arts festival presented with NASA Glenn Research Center and The Cleveland Orchestra to provide a once-in-a-lifetime event free to the community. In September 2025 GLSC opened Handle With Care presented by The Ron and Lydia Harrington Family Foundation. This new early-childhood exhibition based on consultations with experts and a commitment to integrating empathy into the learning experience. It is the second of three major new galleries in our comprehensive campaign. At GLSC, we embrace and encourage the attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person unique. We consider diversity and inclusion essential for institutional excellence and fulfillment of our mission and vision. We believe our strength lies in the collective sum of individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, ingenuity, self-expression, and unique capabilities. Our employees, volunteers, guests, and partners bring and invest these strengths in their daily experiences at Great Lakes Science Center. Summary: The Lead Exhibit Technician acts as an exhibit technician with additional supervisory duties. As an Exhibit Technician the role provides technical and general support in the maintenance, fabrication, and design of Great Lakes Science Center exhibits. Lead Exhibit Technicians have the following supervisory duties. Identifies tasks to accomplish on the exhibit floor in order to improve the visitor exhibit experience. Checks in with Exhibit Technicians on a regular basis to ensure they are efficiently improving the visitor experience. Assigns tasks to appropriate Exhibit Technicians to ensure learning opportunities and efficient use of resources. Consults with the Vice President of Exhibits to identify opportunities for exhibit improvement, develop growth opportunities for Exhibit Technicians, and ensure efficient use of resources. Supervises the work of Exhibit Technicians to support and develop them, and to ensure a quality visitor exhibit experience. Ensures we have replacement exhibit parts and orders new parts as needed. The Lead Exhibit Technician responsibilities do include the repair, installation, and de-installation of exhibits. This position’s schedule varies to ensure maximum supervisory opportunities in collaboration with the Vice President of Exhibits, while accommodating operating hours and additional opening times for special events. The position is expected to include weekend hours. The Lead Exhibit Technician collaborates across the organization and may assist with special events. Applicants should have at least three years of supervisory experience.

Requirements

Associate or bachelor’s Degree preferred, or equivalent relevant work experience
Minimum of 3 years supervisory experience or equivalent
Training and experience working with bench tools
Prior experience working in one or more of the following areas: electronics, machining, woodworking, programming.
Mechanical and/or electrical troubleshooting skills.
Working knowledge of computers.
Innovative thinking and team problem solving skills.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Efficient time management and ability to work under deadlines.
Attention to detail.
Interest in encouraging STEM curiosity through interactive exhibits.

Nice To Haves

Prior forklift and scissors lift certification preferred

Responsibilities

Identifies tasks to accomplish on the exhibit floor in order to improve the visitor exhibit experience.
Checks in with Exhibit Technicians on a regular basis to ensure they are efficiently improving the visitor experience.
Assigns tasks to appropriate Exhibit Technicians to ensure learning opportunities and efficient use of resources.
Consults with the Vice President of Exhibits to identify opportunities for exhibit improvement, develop growth opportunities for Exhibit Technicians, and ensure efficient use of resources.
Supervises the work of Exhibit Technicians to support and develop them, and to ensure a quality visitor exhibit experience.
Ensures we have replacement exhibit parts and orders new parts as needed.
Repair, installation, and de-installation of exhibits.
Daily start-up and shutdown of individual exhibits and exhibit areas
Troubleshoot and remedy exhibit mechanical, electrical, and computer problems
Perform preventive maintenance of exhibits, and provide feedback regarding the maintenance schedule
General cleaning and upkeep of permanent exhibits
Installation and de-installation of temporary special exhibitions
Assist in the installation of overhead and specialty exhibit lighting
Installation of new permanent exhibitions
Woodworking, milling, soldering, machining, welding, painting, and/or finishing existing/new exhibit elements in the workshop
Assist in the organization of parts, supplies, and tools
Assist with research for special and permanent exhibitions
Ordering parts
Prepare condition reports as needed
Occasional errands, including picking up supplies and delivery tasks
Keep an orderly and safe work area
Participate in brainstorming sessions to improve exhibits or in the creation of new gallery exhibits
Assist in other areas of the exhibits program as assigned by the VP of Exhibits or the President of GLSC.
Regularly designs and redesigns exhibit components.
Trains new Exhibit Technicians on exhibit startup, shutdown, and maintenance procedures.