Museum Educator

DISCOVERY PLACE INC•Charlotte, NC

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Museum Educator facilitates guest and customer experiences at Discovery Place Science, including paid programs such as camps and classes, public shows, educational activities, and admissions-related operations. The role combines informal science education and visitor engagement with front-line customer service at the admissions desk and retail shop. Educators adapt content to the ages and interests of children and families, support safe and engaging museum experiences, and assist colleagues and other departments as needed. The work takes place in a usually loud environment, including extremely crowded spaces, and requires working outdoors for moderate amounts of time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree-seeking from a four-year college or university in a science or education field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
Clear and persuasive verbal and written communication, with the ability to adapt language to children, adults, and other audiences.
Group presentation skills, active listening, ability to clarify information, and responsiveness to questions.
Ability to manage competing demands, adapt approaches to situations, and handle change, delays, or unexpected events.
Initiative, resourcefulness, professionalism, tact, respect for others, accountability, and follow-through.
Ability to observe safety and security procedures, report potentially unsafe conditions, and use equipment and materials properly.
Ability to work outdoors for moderate amounts of time and in extremely crowded spaces.
Ability to regularly lift or move up to 20 pounds; stand for long periods; walk; manipulate, handle, or feel objects; reach; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk and hear.
Close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Two years of related museum or teaching experience/training.
Fluency in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Facilitate programs, presentations, demonstrations, educational activities, and Tier I and II public shows in a variety of settings.
Handle animals classified by Living Collections as Tier I, II, and III.
Engage visitors through informal education, including pre-designed and impromptu activities, and adapt content and complexity to guests’ ages and interests.
Select and assemble materials for demonstrations and programming; conduct inventory and purchase departmental supplies as requested.
Lead special event days and prototype experiences upon request.
Teach Early Childhood and/or Lab classes for visiting schools as booked.
Display enthusiasm, energy, and positive behavior toward museum guests, and evaluate experiences using guest feedback.
Work at the admissions desk and retail shop: greet and check in guests, sell retail items and memberships, and conduct admissions transactions and reporting.
Follow cash-handling procedures and provide group orientations.
Inform guests about daily and special programming, learning opportunities, membership, and special events.
Provide management with customer feedback and information, and monitor front-desk and museum consumable inventory needs.
Monitor exhibits, activities, and the museum environment for safety; perform exhibit checks and correct or report problems.
Enforce museum safety and other policies and procedures, and assist with emergency response procedures.
Perform daily housekeeping and detailed cleaning, sanitization, and organization of exhibits and activity areas; maintain an orderly work environment.
Uphold Discovery Place’s Core Service Values of Inclusion, Teamwork, Personal Excellence, and Uncommon Courtesy.
Maintain a positive demeanor and team-oriented, can-do approach; assist other team members and departments when needed.
Adapt to a changing environment and assist in training coworkers by sharing business-related knowledge.