NEXT Lab Ambassador

Abilene Christian University•Abilene, TX

About The Position

ACU NEXT Lab is seeking an engaging, dependable, and enthusiastic NEXT Lab Ambassador to welcome visitors and lead tours of the Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC). Visitors include school groups, ACU students and families, community members, and other interested groups. The Ambassador communicates NEXT Lab’s mission, work, history, and story to varied audiences in an engaging and accessible way, answers questions, and helps create a welcoming and professional visitor experience. The role supports ACU’s mission to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world and is guided by NEXT Lab’s core values: Christ-like Character, Driven to Deliver, and Better Together. ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. Employees must be professing Christians and be willing to support ACU’s Christian mission. The Ambassador welcomes and orients guests, coordinates with NEXT Lab staff about tour schedules and group needs, leads tours, adapts presentations to each audience, explains scientific and technical concepts clearly, and follows facility safety, security, and access procedures. The role also involves providing feedback to improve the visitor experience and performing other duties as assigned. A variable work schedule may be needed based on tours, events, and visitor needs.

Requirements

Must be a professing Christian and willing to support ACU’s Christian mission.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Excellent verbal communication and public-speaking skills.
Friendly, outgoing, and comfortable engaging groups of varying sizes.
Ability to communicate effectively with children, students, families, educators, professionals, and community members.
Ability to learn scientific or technical information and communicate it understandably.
Strong interpersonal and hospitality skills.
Dependability and punctuality.
Professional appearance and demeanor.
Ability to adapt presentations and respond appropriately to unexpected questions or situations.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while leading tours, walk throughout the SERC, and navigate stairs as needed.
Ability to speak clearly and project one’s voice while addressing groups.
Ability to accommodate a variable work schedule based on scheduled tours, events, and visitor needs.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in public speaking, education, hospitality, customer service, tours, or similar work.
Interest in science, engineering, education, or ACU; a technical or scientific background is not required.
Advanced technical degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Welcome visitors and provide basic orientation to the SERC.
Create a friendly, engaging, and professional environment for visitors.
Represent ACU and NEXT Lab positively to prospective students, families, educators, community members, and other guests.
Help groups navigate the facility and comply with visitor and safety requirements.
Coordinate with NEXT Lab staff regarding tour schedules, group needs, and special accommodations.
Lead engaging and informative SERC tours for K–12 school groups, ACU students and families, community organizations, and other interested groups.
Accurately communicate NEXT Lab’s mission, history, research, and work.
Adapt tour content and presentation style to each group’s age, background, interests, and knowledge level.
Explain technical and scientific concepts clearly and accessibly.
Answer visitor questions or refer questions to NEXT Lab faculty and staff when additional expertise is needed.
Follow established tour routes, safety requirements, security procedures, and facility access policies.
Provide feedback that may help improve the visitor and tour experience.
Perform other duties as assigned, including duties logically related to the position.