Are you a problem solver? Love fixing things or tinkering? Passionate about science and technology?
If so, the role of Exhibit Technician with Discovery Centre, Nova Scotia’s hands-on science centre, may be the best next step in your career journey. This entry-level position with the team responsible for the centre’s interactive exhibits provides a great opportunity to grow your experience in the world of visitor’s centres/museum exhibits or fabrication shops.
Position Title: Exhibit Technician
Department: Exhibits & Facilities
Supervisor: Director, Exhibits and Facilities
Position Category: Full-Time, 1 year-Contract Starting
Salary: $19-21 per hour
Working Hours: 35 hours per week, weekends, and weekdays
Position Summary
The Exhibit Technician works within the Exhibits and Facilities team to fabricate, install, maintain, and repair exhibits within Discovery Centre’s permanent and temporary galleries while providing support to other departments in thefulfillment of Discovery Centre’s mission. The primary focus of the technician is the daily care, maintenance, and repair of exhibit components with the goal of ensuring safe, engaging experiences for all of Discovery Centre’s visitors. The candidate must have experience taking initiative –analyzing problems and implementing appropriatesolutions. Ideally the candidate would be comfortable working with both digital interactives (Mac/PC hardware, various software applications) and physical systems (mechanical, wood working, etc.).
Summary of Responsibilities:
Exhibit Maintenance:
- Performs regular inspection and maintenance of all exhibits; keeps all exhibit-related equipment in good working order; makes repairs to exhibits and recommends major repairs by services outside the organization.
- Keeps all exhibit-related equipment in good working
- Maintains orderly work and storage
- Maintains accurate inventory of all equipment assigned to the fabrication shop, cases, and other exhibits resources.
- Researches, recommends, orders and purchases equipment and supplies, as needed, for projects, according to Discovery Centre’s purchasing practices.
Exhibit Fabrication and Installation:
- As part of a team, constructs, installs and de-installs temporary and permanent Tasks may include protecting floors and surfaces; patching and painting walls; ordering of related supplies and materials; packing and unpacking exhibit components; handling museum objects; adjustinglighting; installing cases, exhibit graphics, and labels; creating or modifying mounts and fixtures; and supporting multi-media components.
- Mounts exhibit labels, panels, and
- Ensures that appropriate safety precautions are adhered to, and that exhibit fabrication and installation meet the Nova Scotia Health and Safety standards and applicable regulations.
Other Duties:
- Assists with special events setup/breakdown.
- Assists with building maintenance and repairs as
- Serves on departmental committees as
- Adheres to and maintains up to date OHS policy and procedures and participates in training as
- May be required to perform other duties as
Skills & Qualifications:
The Exhibits Department draws on skills from many backgrounds. Our team’s skillset is diverse, and each member contributes according to their own unique abilities and experience. The ideal candidate would have many, but not necessarily all the following skills and may have other skills that are valuable to the department which have not been mentioned:
- Post-secondary education in a relevant technical field is considered an asset
- Computer literate –hardware and software – ideally within both a Mac and PC environment
- Working knowledge of power and hand tools as they relate to basic carpentry techniques, simple mechanical systems, and basic electrical wiring.
- Basic understanding of audio-visual equipment, with an aptitude for learning new skills in maintaining specialized systems.
- Ability to read and understand measured technical drawings.
- Ability to perform work duties/responsibilities for extended periods of time; may include standing, walking, and lifting more than 50lbs.
- Detail oriented and a commitment to quality of work and finish.
- Ability to communicate effective both orally and in writing.
- Ability to interact courteously with visitors and staff.
- Experience with 3D printing/ Arduino/ basic coding skills considered an asset.
- Prior experience in museum/gallery or tradeshow exhibit fabrication a plus
Hours of Work:
35 hours per week. Typically, Wednesday through Sunday; 7 hours per day. Evening work as required.
Relationships:
Under the direction of the Director, Exhibits and Facilities, the Exhibits Technician collaborates with other team members and departments to provide the Discovery Centre’s visitors with exciting hands-on experiences.
Authority:
The Exhibit Technician procures required equipment, materials, supplies, etc. under the direction of the Director, Exhibits and Facilities.
Supervisory Responsibility:
There are no supervisory responsibilities for this position.
Accountability:
The reputation of Discovery Centre is dependent, in part, on our exhibits. As such the Exhibit Technician is required to ensure high quality of visitor experience, safety, and service delivery.
Working Environment:
The workplace is facility-wide with a home base in a noisy fabrication shop. The office environment offers a space for the completion of paperwork, research, and other duties as required. This position’s working hours include weekends, daytime, evenings, and holidays as scheduled.
Performance Indicators:
A formal appraisal will be completed after 3-months and thereafter yearly in April, unless otherwise outline in the Human Resources policy.
Apply:
Send resume and cover letter to . All applicants are thanked for their interest, however only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Phone interviews will be made available.
Discovery Centre promotes equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and embraces diversity. The Centre is committed to equity in its policies, practices, and programs, supports diversity in its work environment, and ensures that applications for members of underrepresented groups are considered for employment with the Centre.