Employment

Classification: Part-time, Non-exempt
Department: Preschool
Reports To: Preschool Manager
Direct Reports: No

Position Overview:

The Preschool Associate Teacher is responsible for assisting the implementation of the Science Center of Iowa preschool program. This position must have patience for children and the ability to engage them and earn their trust and attention. The goal is to contribute to the healthy mental and emotional development of the child so they can more easily acclimate to the next level of education.

Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation, and perform other duties as assigned.

• Assist with classroom activities
• Prepare, clean and maintain classroom for daily use
• Meet with classroom teacher to devise daily plans and prepare materials for daily use
• Attend meetings with preschool staff once a month for planning activities of the ensuing month
• Attend and assist with parent/preschooler special events during the school year
• Assist with oversight of children to ensure they are safe and engaged in the programming
• Follow all policies and procedures of the Science Center of Iowa and the Preschool
• Please note this job description does not contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job; duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Supervisory Responsibility: This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

Education, Experience and/or Other Requirements:

Required:

• Maintain current First Aid, Universal Precautions, CPR and Mandadory Reporter credentials
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Has a passion and love for all young children and their families
• Acquire 6 continuing education hours each year
• Ability to work independently while also constructively contributing in a team environment
• Possesses character qualities such as patience, creativity, flexibility, joyfulness and endurance
• Trustworthy and of high integrity, showing high respect for confidential information
• Pass a physical examination and TB test every 2 years
• Successfully pass a background check and DCI fingerprinting

Preferred:

• Para associate I and II or CDA or AA in Early Childhood

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position is primarily focused on time with children and will require prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout the program space. The employee will also need to sit and stand on the floor throughout the day and bend, kneel, stoop, crawl and crouch to be at eye level with children. The employee may be required to regularly lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

Hours & Work Schedule: Hours will vary based on business needs and may include days, evenings, weekends and holidays. Typically, no travel will be required.

To Apply: Email your resume and completed application materials to scihr@sciowa.org.

Classification: Part-time, Non-exempt
Department: Preschool
Reports To: Director of Early Childhood

Position Overview:

The Preschool Office Assistant/Teacher is responsible for assisting with the implementation of the Science Center of Iowa Preschool program.  This position also provides administrative support for the Preschool program.

Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation, and perform other duties as assigned.

• Greet all customers in a professional, friendly and timely manner, including answering phones, drop-in visits and directing inquiries
• Assist with maintaining SCI’s NAEYC accreditation standards, including uploading digital files into the accreditation system
• Teach and direct classroom activities, as necessary
• Prepare, clean and maintain classrooms and office space for daily use
• Maintain appropriate levels of supplies and timely placement of orders
• Basic office duties, such as data entry and organizing, filing and maintaining documents or records
• Attend and assist with parent/preschooler special events during the school year
• Follow all policies and procedures of the Science Center of Iowa and the SCI Preschool
• Assist with oversight of children to ensure they are safe and engaged in the programming
• Actively participate on various internal and/or cross-functional teams, as needed, in furtherance of SCI’s goals and objectives

Please note this job description does not contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job; duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Education, Experience and/or Other Requirements:

Required

• Maintain current First Aid, Universal Precautions, CPR and Mandatory Reporter credentials
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Has a passion and love for all young children and their families
• Possesses character qualities such as patience, creativity, flexibility, joyfulness and endurance
• Ability to work independently while also constructively contributing in a team environment
• Trustworthy and of high integrity; showing high respect for confidential information
• Pass a physical examination and TB test every 2 years
• Successfully pass a background check and DCI fingerprinting

Preferred

• Clerical and office experience
• Para associate I and II or CDA or AA in Early Childhood

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position is primarily focused on time with children and will require prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout the program space. The employee will also need to sit and stand on the floor throughout the day and bend, kneel, stoop, crawl and crouch to be at eye level with children. The employee may be required to regularly lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

Working Hours: Hours will vary based on business needs and may include days, evenings, weekends and holidays. Primary hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 am-12:30 pm. Typically, no travel will be required.

To Apply: Email your resume and completed application materials to scihr@sciowa.org.

Classification: Hourly, Non-exempt
Department: Preschool
Reports To: Preschool Director

Position Overview:

This position is responsible for assisting the development and implementation of the Science Center of Iowa Preschool program.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with classroom activities
• Prepare and maintain classroom for daily use
• Meet with classroom teacher to prepare materials for daily use
• Communicate daily with parents on any discipline problems that might arise
• Meet with Preschool staff once a month for planning and activities of the ensuing month
• Attend and assist with all parent/preschooler special events during the school year, if desired
• Create and design classroom games and materials

Requirements:

• Maintain current first aid, universal precautions, CPR and mandatory peporter credentials
• Pass a physical examination and TB every two years
• Excellent teaching and communication skills
• Love of children
• A desire to work with and teach preschoolers
• Inexhaustible patience
• Must enjoy working as part of the Science Center of Iowa team
• Must be able to pass background checks and DCI fingerprinting

Working Hours: Varied hours; needs to be available during normal school hours Monday through Friday 7:15 am–5:30 pm.

To Apply: Email your resume and completed application materials to scihr@sciowa.org.

Classification: Seasonal Full-Time / Non-Exempt (Temporary)
Department: Guided Learning
Reports To: Guided Learning Manager
Direct Reports: This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities

Position Overview:

The Camp Educator position is responsible for creating and implementing camp curriculum with exciting, hands-on activities around selected science topics in a fun and safe learning environment.  A focus of this position will be providing daily supervision and mentoring of up to 25 children ranging from 4-14 years old.

Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation, and perform other duties as assigned.

• Implement activity-based curriculum to facilitate inquiry based-learning on a variety of science themes and concepts
• Present, teach and facilitate hands-on activities in a classroom setting
• Implement behavior management and time management skills in a classroom setting
• Create a supply list and daily schedule
• Follow the daily schedule in a timely manner
• Prepare, clean and maintain classroom for daily use
• Engage students and staff in a fun yet mature and professional manner
• Please note: This job description does not contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job; duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Education, Experience and/or Other Requirements:

Required

• High school diploma
• College coursework in Education or Science-related fields
• General knowledge of, or interest in, science and education
• Comfortable with public speaking to children, parents, mentors and supervisors
• Demonstrates excellent communication and problem-solving skills
• Organized self-starter
• Ability to work independently while also constructively contributing in a team environment
• Trustworthy and of high integrity, showing high respect for confidential information
• Valid Driver’s License
• Successfully pass a background check

Preferred

• Previous experience working with youth and parents
• Enthusiastic, energetic, hardworking, flexible, creative and timely
• Ability to acquire a Noncommercial Chauffeur’s License (Class D- Endorsement 3 in Iowa)

Physical Demands:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position is primarily focused on time with children and will require prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout the program space. The employee will also need to sit and stand on the floor throughout the day, and bend, kneel, stoop, crawl and crouch to be at eye level with children. The employee may be required to regularly lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

Hours & Work Schedule: Hours will vary based on business needs and may include weekends, some evenings and holidays. Primarily a Monday through Friday schedule.

To Apply: Email your resume and completed application materials to scihr@sciowa.org.

Classification: Non Exempt

Department:   Science Learning                                  

Reports To: Director of Learning Experiences     

Direct Reports: No

Position Overview

This position provides an exceptional visitor experience as a member of a versatile team that delivers early learning experiences, workshops, floor interactions and demonstrations, programming, overall visitor services and support to visiting groups.  The Science Learning Program Associate may deliver services onsite and offsite, throughout the week, weekend, holidays and evenings to diverse audiences.  These positions may have a significant focus in one of the following areas early childhood programming or visitor services or seasonal program offerings.     

Responsibilities:

Deliver a varied and changing repertoire of science learning experiences, floor interactions and workshops ranging from small to large format presentations

• Function as a direct representative from the science learning team to the public
• Implements and ensures compliance with departmental processes, policies and procedures
• Report consistent data relevant to the work and monitor their impact in supporting SCI’s mission and existing exhibits
• Communicate effectively with knowledgeable of the slate of Science Learning offerings
• Support exhibit staff; including but not limited to opening and closing of the experience platforms
• Science Learning Division daily operational support including, but not limited to conducting live programs, workshops and labs, on the floor engagement, orientations for visiting groups, early learning experiences, camps and outreach presentations.
• Provide support with other SCI staff on program and project development
• On-floor supervision of program supplies in experience platforms and work alongside volunteers
• Other duties as assigned - Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Requirements:

High School Diploma or equivalent with an interest in the sciences, education, or theater

• Creative, curious, innovative and is passionate about learning
• Ability to work independently while also constructively contributing in a team environment
• Ability to communicate complex science concepts in a fun and interesting fashion
• Motivated and resourceful self-starter with effective multitasking skills
• Excellent communication skills; engaging, entertaining and confident public speaker
• Effective problem solving skills and strong organizational skills with strong verbal and written skills
• Ability to manage and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Trustworthy and of high integrity, showing high respect for confidential information
• Self-starter; ability to work proactively and independently while also constructively contributing in a team environment
• Awareness and sensitivity in interacting with diverse populations
• Able to work as part of a creative team, being flexible, dependable and creative
• Able to identify and improve product quality and development work with great attention to detail
• Service oriented; upholds Science Center of Iowa values and integrity
• Willing to travel if necessary for Outreach presentations; Obtain and maintain a Chauffeur's License

Preferred:

Previous Customer Service experience preferred

• Bachelor degree from an accredited institution
• Knowledge of Altru software, Microsoft Office Suite and general data analysis
• Experience delivering engaging and entertaining program presentations to small and large groups as a confident public speaker

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position requires prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer but is occasionally active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing. The employee must regularly lift and/or move items up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Working Hours:

This is a part-time position. Hours will vary based on business needs and may include days, evenings, weekends and holidays.  Weekly schedule may vary seasonally and travel may be required.

To Apply: Email your resume and completed application materials to scihr@sciowa.org.