Employment

Classification: Full Time, Non-Exempt
Reports To: Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Department: Marketing & Communications

Position Overview

The Science Center of Iowa (SCI) is seeking a creative and detail-oriented Communications Coordinator to support and enhance our marketing and outreach efforts. This role is responsible for developing and implementing compelling content across various communication channels, ensuring consistent brand messaging and engaging with our community. The ideal candidate is a strong storyteller with experience in digital marketing, content creation and entry-level graphic design.

Key Responsibilities

To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to execute the following responsibilities effectively, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing & Public Relations to develop and implement strategic marketing and communication initiatives that align with organizational goals.
• Assist in executing integrated marketing campaigns across digital and traditional media channels.
• Stay informed on industry trends and recommend adjustments to enhance outreach and engagement efforts. 
• Create, edit, and manage engaging content for websites, email campaigns, newsletters, social media, and other communication platforms. 
• Maintain an updated content calendar and coordinate messaging across platforms. 
• Develop print and digital collateral, including brochures, event signage and promotional materials. 
• Manage and grow SCI’s social media presence, ensuring a balance between promotional content and mission-driven storytelling. 
• Respond to audience inquiries and engage with followers across social platforms and online review sites. 
• Monitor social media trends and analytics to optimize content performance. 
• Assist with basic graphic design projects, including social media graphics, flyers, and event materials, using tools like Adobe Creative Suite. 
• Ensure consistent application of SCI’s brand guidelines across all internal and external materials. 
• Identify and address any brand or messaging inconsistencies. 
• Track and analyze key performance metrics across marketing and communication efforts. 
• Generate reports to assess the effectiveness of campaigns and identify opportunities for improvement. 
• Assist in marketing and promotional efforts for fundraising events, community programs, and special initiatives. 
• Develop signage and promotional materials for on-site events, ensuring seamless communication and brand consistency. 
• Support additional projects as assigned to advance SCI’s mission and communication goals. 
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

Education, Experience and/or Other Requirements

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
• 1-3 years of relevant experience in marketing, communications, or public relations (nonprofit experience preferred).
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to craft compelling narratives.
• Proficiency in social media platforms and best practices for engagement.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with email marketing platforms (e.g., Constant Contact, WordFly, Feathr).
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with attention to detail.

Preferred:

• Experience with Google Analytics and other marketing performance tools.
• Basic knowledge of photography and videography.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public.
• Strong organizational and critical thinking skills.

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.

Hours & Work Schedule

Hours will vary based on business needs and includes days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. A Monday-Friday is typical with core hours occurring between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Some evening and weekend work may be required, as well as some travel.

To Apply

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

Classification: Full Time, Non-Exempt
Reports To: CFO & Vice President of Administration
Department: Volunteer

Position Purpose

The successful candidate will develop and execute strategies to recruit, train, and retain a qualified and engaged volunteer workforce that supports the Science Center of Iowa (SCI) year-round. Further, recruit, train, schedule, and oversee volunteer junior councilors through SCI summer camps. By collaborating with staff and aligning efforts with SCI’s brand and strategic objectives, the candidate will leverage marketing, outreach, and relationship-building to enhance volunteer engagement. Cultivating partnerships with civic, service, and business organizations will foster long-term volunteerism, while working closely with various departments to strengthen connections between volunteerism and amplifying advocacy for SCI.

Responsibilities

To perform this role effectively, the individual must be able to execute each essential duty proficiently, with or without reasonable accommodations. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

• Maintain an up-to-date volunteer manual containing organizational information, job descriptions, expectations, scheduling procedures, and online volunteer platform.
• Manage the recruitment, training, and professionalism of all volunteers, including recruiting and fostering relationships with corporate volunteer groups.
• Collaborate with internal departments to assess and fulfill volunteer needs and ensure volunteers receive appropriate training in their service areas.
• Conduct volunteer orientations, ongoing training sessions, and evaluations.
• Monitor and enhance the overall performance of the volunteer program
• Track volunteer participation, skills, performance, availability, and schedules using designated platform.
• Communicate effectively with volunteers through orientations, group meetings, manuals, emails, monthly newsletters, online volunteer platform, and phone calls to keep them informed of organizational updates and duties.
• Ensure compliance with Iowa State Law and museum policies by performing proper background checks.
• Coordinate and staff identified SCI internal events and community events and festivals to promote SCI.
• Oversee the volunteer program budget and develop an annual program plan.

• Attend daily 8:30 am operational huddle (meeting) Tuesday to Friday.

• Serve as an active participant in the Manager on Duty rotation.

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.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position supervises all volunteers. Supervisory responsibilities include interviewing, onboarding, assigning and directing work, providing developmental feedback, facilitating conflict resolution and taking corrective action with volunteers when deemed appropriate based on performance or conduct.

Education, Experience, and/or Other Requirements

Required:

• Three years of experience in a volunteer leadership role.
• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong understanding of organizational needs.
• Enthusiastic, energetic, and positive demeanor.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to collaborate with staff across all organizational levels.
• Successful pass a background check.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Knowledge of Get Connected’s online volunteer platform and/or experience working in other volunteer software/platforms.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

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.

Hours and Work Schedule

Hours will vary based on business needs and includes days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. A Monday-Friday is typical with core hours occurring between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Some evening and weekend work may be required, as well as some travel in central Iowa.

To Apply

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

Classification: Hourly, Non-exempt
Department: Preschool
Reports To: Director of Early Childhood Learning

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.