Department: Discovery Centre Science Education
Supervisor: Director, Science Education
Position Category: Full Time
Working Hours: 35 hours perweek
Benefits: Medical and RRSP plan

(Note: The position will be subject to the terms and conditions of a collective agreement between Unifor and Discovery Centre)

 

Position Summary

The Staff Scientist is responsible for leading the delivery of an exceptional experience for all Discovery Centre visitors. The role is primarily focused on encouraging visitor interaction with the centre’s exhibits and facilitating educational demonstrations and hands-on activities and programs. The Staff Scientist has additional responsibility for keeping the visitor experience fresh; developing and delivering new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) programs for public visitors, birthday party guests, organized groups and day camps. The Staff Scientist is also involved in training staff and volunteers.

 

Summary of Responsibilities 

Facilitate STEAM experiences for all visitors

• Engage and interact with visitors in the exhibit galleries, providing an exceptional visitor experience
• Deliver STEAM themed programming/Science on the Spot demonstrations and hands-on activities
• Be knowledgeable about Discovery Centre exhibits, programs and dome theatre shows; be comfortable sharing that information to visitors
• Host Discovery Centre birthday party programs; setting up the party room, greeting guests and delivering interactive demonstrations
• Facilitate evening and camp programming as needed
• Deliver the centre’s corporate team building program – Corporate Recess
• Clean exhibits and demonstration equipment regularly

 

Create a safe, welcoming environment for all visitors

• Provide a warm welcome to visitors, including delivering a formal orientation to groups
• Assist in providing safety for centre visitors: monitor visitor activities and calmly follow protocol in response to an incident
• Provide leadership in the emergency evacuation of visitors
• Follow all safety guidelines as they relate to exhibits and programs
• Assist with the creation of safety guidelines and risk assessments for new programs

 

Continually refresh the visitor experience

• Develop new demonstrations and hands-on activities relevant to the centre’s gallery themes
• Develop birthday party and organized group programs as required
• Keeps up to date in fields relevant to exhibit galleries
• Create programming for PD day, Winter and March Break camps

Contribute to the successful operation of Discovery Centre

• Create daily team schedules and host morning/de-brief meetings
• Mentor Facilitators and volunteers
• Participate actively in training programs, staff meetings and other learning opportunities
• Regularly check Discovery Centre email and DAYFORCE workforce management site to meet scheduling requirements.
• Participate in the centre’s OH&S program
• Daily reporting of visitor interactions

 

Other Duties: 

Other duties as assigned by the Director, Science Education, including providing guidance to students and volunteers.

 

Qualifications:

Education: Completion of a post-secondary degree in a STEAM subject, Education, Early ChildhoodEducation, Communication or other relevant field, or comparable relevant experience.

Experience: Relevant experience includes working positions related to interpretation, education, orrecreational programming, especially those within science centres or museums.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required; additional languages would be considered an asset.

Competencies:

• Excellent public speaking/presentation skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Highly organized
• Able to approach problems with a creative and flexible outlook
• Demonstrated aptitude for safe practices Other Qualifications:
• A clean criminal record check and child abuse registry check are mandatory
• Must hold or be willing to work towards a certificate in First Aid with CPR C
• A clean driving license is considered an asset

Hours of Work

The full time Staff Scientist will sometimes be required to work beyond core business hours and holidays.The current work week is Wednesday to Sundays, 35 hours per week.

Application:

Applications are to be emailed to . Applicants are to submit their resume, cover letter, and references. Please note the position that you are applying for in the subject line of your email application. All applications will be reviewed but only those chosen for an interview will be contacted. All applicants are thanked in advance for their interest.

Discovery Centre is committed to leveraging our facility, people, and programming to create inclusive spaces that ignite a passion for science and discovery. We are also committed to advancing diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility practices within our workplace, public engagement spaces, and programming. Our Centre’s Board of Directors, management, and staff believe diverse participation and representation are essential and that our networks thrive when we create an inclusive and equitable culturewhere all people can see themselves reflected, feel respected, and have their contributions valued.

Discovery Centre promotes equal employment opportunities for all job applicants, and we encourage applications from candidates who self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group, including Indigenous people (especially Mi’kmaq), people of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), members of other racialized groups, women, people with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiringprocess. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please contact to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.