Outreach and Experiences Coordinator

Full-time with benefits

To apply:

Please email resume and cover letter to: heather@visithandson.org. Background check and references required.  No phone calls.

Position Summary:
The Outreach and Experiences Coordinator is responsible for HODC’s growing educational outreach program as well as instituting ongoing programmatic training for staff.  The position ensures that HODC is delivering energetic, relevant, and dynamic experiences both in the facility and in the community.  The ideal candidate will have a passion for science education, an energetic and positive persona, and an enthusiasm for life-long learning.  The Outreach and Experiences Coordinator reports to the VP of Education and Exhibits, and must work closely with the Operations Coordinator and the Visitor Services and Events Specialist.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and deliver HODC’s growing outreach education program to schools, libraries, and other community partners
• Work closely with VP of Education and Exhibits to create new content for outreach programs as well as seek out new opportunities to deliver educational programs outside the museum
• Ensure proper execution of daily programmatic features on the museum floor
• Create, manage, and deliver all educational training initiatives including exhibits, programs, customer engagement, etc.
• Fill for all necessary gaps in daily floor coverage, including lab programs, Tesla shows, Paleo tours, front desk, and the museum floor.
• Ensure proper and transparent communication with co-workers and HODC’s leadership team
• Additional duties as necessary

Preferred qualifications and skills:

• Must have excellent communication skills and the ability to give concise, yet detailed instructions
• Ability to manage students of varying ages in a classroom setting and effectively deliver interactive learning content
• Ability to deal with wide variety of people and personalities
• Organized and attentive to detail while still maintaining big picture strategy and mission fulfillment
• Understanding and dedication to informal science education and HODC’s broader role in the community
• Genuinely positive attitude and flexibility
• Ability to multi-task
• Entrepreneurial and self-sufficient mindset
• Bachelors degree required, experience in educational or science center setting preferred

Operations Coordinator

Full-time with benefits

To apply:

Please email resume and cover letter to: heather@visithandson.org. Background check and references required.  No phone calls.

Position Summary:

The Operations Coordinator is responsible for ensuring HODC’s day-to-day functionality.  This position manages up to 20 part time staff members (Discovery Guides) and ensures proper scheduling.  The Operations Coordinator reports directly to the VP of Education and Exhibits and must work closely with the Director of Finance, the Outreach and Experiences Coordinator, and the Visitor Services and Events Specialist.

Responsibilities:

• Manage, coordinate, and schedule all Discovery Guides to ensure proper daily staffing for the Museum
• Execute proper daily cash controls and point-of-sale operations according to HODC’s best-practice guidelines
• Ensure proper procedures for HODC’s opening and closing each day
• Seek out and hire qualified and enthusiastic candidates for Discovery Guides
• Serve as tour guide for groups, facilitate exhibits to visitors, perform Tesla shows, deliver educational programs including outreach, and assist with summer camps
• Manage HODC’s gift shop and ensure proper display and merchandising
• Act as the customer service liaison for birthday parties and field trips once guests are on site
• Serve as HODC’s volunteer coordinator
• Ensure the museum floor and exhibit content is presentable and clean throughout each day and for each visitor
• Work directly with the Outreach and Experiences Coordinator and Visitor Services and Events Specialist to ensure proper staffing of museum for events, groups, and rentals
• Fill for all necessary gaps in daily floor coverage, including lab programs, Tesla shows, Paleo tours, front desk, and the Museum floor
• Ensure proper and transparent communication with co-workers and HODC’s leadership team
• Additional duties as necessary

Preferred qualifications and skills:

• Must have excellent communication skills and the ability to give concise, yet detailed instructions
• Ability to deal with wide variety of people and personalities
• Organized and attentive to detail while understanding big picture strategies and mission fulfillment
• Understanding and dedication to the mission of HODC and its role in the community
• Genuinely positive attitude and flexibility
• Ability to multi-task
• Entrepreneurial and self-sufficient mindset
• Bachelors Degree required, preferred experience in an attraction or other museum-like setting

Discovery Guide Program

The new Discovery Guide Program is open to individuals age 16 and older who are seeking a unique and exciting ground-level experience in the museum/science center industry.  The opportunity will provide experience in guest services, visitor engagement, program delivery, tours, and much more.  There will be an initial training period followed by a commitment to start employment in late May or early June.  This program will require quarterly commitments with the opportunity to opt in or out at HODC for the next 3 month period.  Hours will range between 15 and 30 hours a week depending on candidate’s availability and performance.

Essential Functions:

• Greeting and interacting with HODC visitors throughout the day
• Facilitation of science-based interactive exhibit content
• Front desk operations including taking payment, counting cash drawers, selling gift shop items, and answering phone calls
• Giving paleontology tours of the Gray Fossil Site
• Engage in direct instruction of workshops, summer camps, outreaches, etc
• Represent HODC in the community at area events
• Performing science and art programs including Tesla Shows
• Ensuring each visitor to HODC and the Gray Fossil Site has an exemplary experience
• Facilitating birthday parties and group tours including field trips
• Help with special events including some after hours
• Ensure HODC is adequately cleaned and presentable throughout the day

Ideal Candidates:

• Outgoing, charismatic, positive attitude
• Naturally curious about the world around them
• Attentive to detail
• Thoughtful of others
• Creative mindset
• Prompt, committed, and organized
• Passion for science and informal education

Please email completed applications to: heather@visithandson.org. Background check and references required.  No phone calls, please.

Hands On! Discovery Center is an equal opportunity employer.

Become a Volunteer

There are many volunteer opportunities are available at Hands On! Discovery Center!  From just a few hours to several times a week. Volunteers can be help in a variety of areas including:

• Child and/or Adult Education
• Art Studio Programs
• Docent
• Field Trip Guide
• Discovery Garden
• Cleaning
• Outreach Assistant
• Special Events
• Fundraising Events
• Clerical
• Exhibit Maintenance

A background check may be required.  Adults 18+ may volunteer in any of the above areas. Limited volunteer opportunities available for ages 16-17.  Please fill out the volunteer application for review.

Completed applications may be returned to david@visithandson.org

The Center for Excellence in Paleontology accepts summer volunteers to work during the dig season with a volunteer orientation help in April of each year.

As the 2021 field season begins, there is limited availability for volunteers to join outdoor wet-screening. For now, volunteering is open only for outdoor wet-screening and only for returning volunteers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As the year goes on, opportunities might open up for indoor lab work and excavation. Any interested volunteers should contact Shawn Haugrud, laboratory and field manager, at haugrud@mail.etsu.edu.