Outreach Educator (Part-Time)

POSITION: Outreach Educator (Part-Time)

ROLE & LEVEL/GRADE: P1/3

DEPARTMENT: Education

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Community Engagement Manager

SUMMARY: The Outreach Educator will work as a member of the Frost Science education team to deliver educational and engaging live science performances and programs to families and students across South Florida. Live science performances may include leading hands-on classroom activities, performing live shows or demonstrations, and leading other engaging educational programs at schools, community centers, libraries, and events. Additionally, the Outreach Educator will work alongside the STEM Learning Manager to design and facilitate programs aligned to the STEM Challenge, a novel engineering-design based program for middle and high school students. The Outreach Educator will regularly present on topics that may be related to many fields of science including chemistry, astronomy, physics, earth sciences, biology, and more.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Community Engagement

• Adhere to the established policies and procedures of the Museum.

• Perform interactive science shows, demonstrations, and classes at schools, libraries, community centers, and events in the South Florida area.

• Deepen participation of audiences by delivering dynamic live science shows, interactive experiments, demos, classes, hands-on activities, theater-style shows, participatory games, quiz shows, etc.

• Work with staff and volunteers to present live outreach programs 4-8 hours per day. This includes travel to and from outreach destinations, set up and take down of materials, and conducting post performance discussions as needed.

• Adhere to weekly schedules and other tasks as assigned.

• Report feedback from guests and other staff on a periodic basis to ensure show quality and improve audience satisfaction.

• Aid with the management, preparation, and troubleshooting of all materials necessary for supporting outreach programs and reports any issues related to outreach equipment.

STEM Challenge

• Facilitate outreach programs aligned to the STEM Challenge, focused on the engineering-design process.

• Assist the STEM Learning Manager on STEM Challenge program design and implementation. This includes but is not limited to leading STEM Challenge field trip programs, assisting with program organization, and discussing the program with teachers.

General

• Maintains excellent customer service by maintaining a positive and friendly attitude and through guest interactions by answering questions related to outreach content and other general Frost Science information.

• Maintains excellent communication with outreach locations and points of contact. This can include speaking on the phone and emailing with points of contact about estimated times of arrival and departure, necessary set-ups for outreach programs, etc.

• Reaches out to schools, libraries, and community centers about opportunities for outreach programs.

• The Outreach Educator is required to work a flexible and varying schedule that will include weekends, holidays, and non-traditional hours (this may include 2-3 evenings per month for special events and programming).

• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Associate degree (A.A.) or 2-3 years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Background and/or strong interest in several scientific areas: health, astronomy, physics, biology, etc.

• Theatrical experience and/or demonstrated ability to deliver exciting and engaging presentations a plus.

• Experience working with children, youth, and/or families in informal learning environments is a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must demonstrate strong performance skills and have a demonstrated commitment to delivering scripted material and communicating scientific concepts.

• Must feel comfortable and enthusiastic about speaking in front of large audiences.

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Knowledge of the museum's mission statement, goals, and policies as per employee manual.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with creativity, curiosity, integrity, and determination.

• Ability to work under pressure, multitask, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively with staff.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively share information across and between multiple disciplines and reach audiences with varied technical and organizational knowledge.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and be comfortable driving up to 40 miles one way in own vehicle (reimbursement provided) or the Frost Science Van.

• Bilingual preferred (Spanish and/or Haitian Creole preferred).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand for long periods of time as well as talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk and use the stairs; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds on select occasions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Work time will be primarily spent on the floor delivering programs and require being exposed to the elements such as sun, heat, wind, etc. frequently. Weekend and evening work in alignment with programs is required.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Level 2 background clearance as defined by the Florida Statutes/law

• Drug screening as part of the Drug Free Workplace Program