Employment

Classification: Part-Time, Non-Exempt
Department: Visitor Services
Reports To: Manager of Visitor Services

Position Overview

This Visitor Services Associate is a Part Time position responsible for assisting the Visitor Services team with customer service, sales, operations, and problem solving. The successful candidate will perform front line admissions and retail sales duties while engaging and supporting visitors to ensure outstanding customer experiences. This position supports visitor services in various operational areas of the Science Center of Iowa (SCI) including the visitor services desk and A-ha! Gift Store.

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 visitors in a professional, friendly, and timely manner, including answering phones and directing customer inquiries
• Assist visitors with admission ticket sales, basic membership sales, Ah-ha! Store merchandise sales and answering questions and providing information about SCI
• Must be knowledgeable and well prepared to offer and sell products, services and programs SCI offers
• Responsible for ensuring complete follow-through for all stages of ticket and store sales
• Keep accurate and detailed records of all incoming and outgoing calls and messages, and effectively communicating them to their applicable departments
• Assist as needed in all areas including, but not limited to, Visitor Services Desk, A-ha! Gift Store and the SCI floor experience
• Ensures accurate transactions by balancing cash register at the beginning and end of shift
• Rings up merchandise and sales: bag, box and wrap purchased items
• Stocks shelves, sets up displays and performs cleaning duties
• Assists visitors in providing information, resolving complaints, locating various products
• Processes returns and exchanges according to organization policy
• Maintain and demonstrate an adequate working knowledge and use of all required SCI software and databases
• Must uphold SCI’s values and commitment to excellence, diversity and inclusion
• 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

• Must be dependable and have a history of reliable attendance
• Effective problem solving skills and strong organizational skills
• Must be able to multitask and work with great attention to detail
• Ability to work independently while also constructively contributing to the team environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of and ability to use cash registers, computers, calculators and scanners
• Basic mathematical skills, as needed to make change and process refunds
• Must maintain a professional demeanor
• Deliver superior customer service experiences that “WOW” and delight customers
• Trustworthy and of high integrity, showing high respect for confidential information
• Successfully pass a background check

Preferred

• Previous customer service experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The role is active and requires prolonged standing and walking, as well as bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing. This position also will also have periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. The employee must regularly lift and/or move items up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Hours & Work Schedule

Hours will vary based on business needs and may include days, evenings, weekends and holidays. Ideal candidate will have Thursday-Sunday availability. 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: Preschool Director

Position Overview

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

• Assist with classroom activities
• Prepare and maintain classroom for daily use
• Meet with classroom teacher to devise daily plans and prepare materials for daily use
• Communicate daily with parents
• 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
• Create and design classroom games and materials

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 Mandatory Reporter 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

Hours & Work Schedule

Hours will vary based on class schedules. Typically, Monday through Friday 3:00-5:30 PM.

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

Classification: Part-time, Non-Exempt
Department: Science Learning
Reports To: Exhibits Manager
Direct Reports: No

Position Overview

The Exhibit Tech for the Science Center of Iowa is responsible for implementing and maintaining an excellent exhibit experience. The ideal candidate will have experience and/or skills in exhibit construction/fabrication, installation, maintenance/repairs, and theatrical lighting. This position will serve as an audience advocate, striving to create and maintain exhibit experiences that make science engaging.

Responsibilities

• Maintains exhibits for an excellent visitor experience
• Tracking of exhibit materials and supplies
• Implement solutions for improvements to existing exhibits
• Collaborate and communicate project progress
• Timely completion of work so projects meet deadlines and within budget
• Participate in installation and strike exhibits
• Implements and maintains exhibit lighting
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment. Observe safety and risk management procedures in public areas and work spaces
• Be an active participant in the visitor experience including some programming and assist with special events and projects
• Additional duties as assigned

Requirements

• Experience and/or education in art, theatre or specific trade/skill (i.e. carpentry, painting)
• Experience with tools & shop safety practices
• Experience with, and a willingness to learn, fabrication techniques with a variety of materials
• Technical skills or aptitude for coding/computer science, electrical, theatrical lighting, and A/V
• Organized with the ability to work efficiently on several projects simultaneously
• Ability to work independently while also constructively contributing in a team environment
• Flexible in adapting to changing timelines and priorities
• Proactive; able to identify and improve product quality
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Able to work as part of a team, being flexible and dependable
• Creative, curious, innovative and a passionate learner
• Service-oriented; upholds Science Center of Iowa values and integrity
• Successfully pass a background check

Preferred

• Basic knowledge of museum experiences (exhibits and programs), science, technology, engineering and math
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)

Physical Demands

Prolonged periods standing and walking. Must be comfortable working at heights and physically able to climb ladders, bend, or crawl into awkward spaces. Must be able to lift, bend, twist, stoop, climb, reach, and lift up to 75 pounds at a time. Use their hands to grasp, move, handle, control, assemble or feel objects, tools, or controls. Repeat the same movements. See details of objects that are less than a few feet away. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Hours & Work Schedule

Must have consistent availability on Saturdays and Sundays, 8am-5pm. Hours will vary based on business needs. Some evenings and holidays 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.