Educational Technician (Spark!Lab Facilitator) IS-1702-04
Smithsonian Institution
Salary undisclosed
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Description
*This position is being recruited at the grade 4 with promotion potential up to grade 5. The incumbent may be non-competitively promoted to the next grade level upon satisfactory completion of qualifications/performance and at the management’s discretion. Meeting these requirements does not entitle the incumbent to advancement.
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
- Complete a Probationary Period.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Key Responsibilities
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Supports meaningful engagement with the invention process through hands-on activities based in inquiry, creatively inspiring children and families to identify problems, imagine solutions, create prototypes, and test ideas in order to practice skills such as collaboration, perseverance, and curiosity.
- Ensures a positive visitor experience by greeting visitors, engaging visitors through conversation, inquiry and experimentation appropriate to age level and interest.
- Supports the opening, operation, and closing of Spark!Lab and performs routine maintenance such as replenishing supplies, keeping equipment cleaned, and monitoring Spark!Lab for safety and accessibility.
- Recommends and makes basic changes to activity materials or signage, suggests topics for new activities related to museum priorities and incorporates volunteer suggestions.
- Develops recommendations to improve visitor experience and invention education resources, such as developing posters highlighting museum objects or inventors connected to other exhibits.
Benefits
Experience required for this position is as follows:
- Skill to facilitate pre-designed learning activities based in making and testing, utilizing craft supplies like cardboard, tape, and wire, educational toy and electronics sets, and custom-designed interactives.
- Knowledge of group management techniques in order to engage visitors and work with a variety of learning styles and age groups.
- Ability to communicate orally with general audiences (up to 30 persons) about select topics in invention, history, and science in an informal setting.
- Practical knowledge of instructional support techniques sufficient to create instructional materials, organize learning content, and/or facilitate group activities and hands-on exercises.
- Skill to organize schedules and activities, including keeping sessions on schedule and tracking attendance.
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NMAHApplications@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities).
Benefits
- Experience: To qualify for this position, applicants must possess 1-3 years of related experience (described below). Experience required for this position is as follows: Skill to facilitate pre-designed learning activities based in making and testing, utilizing craft supplies like cardboard, tape, and wire, educational toy and electronics sets, and custom-designed interactives. Knowledge of group management techniques in order to engage visitors and work with a variety of learning styles and age groups. Ability to communicate orally with general audiences (up to 30 persons) about select topics in invention, history, and science in an informal setting. Practical knowledge of instructional support techniques sufficient to create instructional materials, organize learning content, and/or facilitate group activities and hands-on exercises. Skill to organize schedules and activities, including keeping sessions on schedule and tracking attendance. Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery." Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager. Relocation expenses are not paid. The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact NMAHApplications@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures (https://www.si.edu/OEO/IndividualswithDisabilities). The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To review The Smithsonian's EEO program information, please click the following: https://www.si.edu/oeo
About this role
The Lemelson Center at the National Museum of American History seeks an Educational Technician to facilitate Spark!Lab, a hands-on invention learning space where visitors—particularly children and families—engage with the invention process through history, engineering, science, and creative activities. You would work 21 hours per week, including one weekend day, supporting both the day-to-day operations of the interactive exhibit and the learning experiences of guests.
Your core responsibility would be guiding visitors through inquiry-based making and testing activities using craft supplies, educational electronics sets, and custom interactives. This means greeting and engaging visitors of different ages and learning styles, facilitating group activities of up to 30 people, managing the physical space (supplies, equipment maintenance, safety), and helping visitors practice skills like collaboration, perseverance, and curiosity. You'd also contribute ideas for improving activities and the visitor experience, drawing connections between Spark!Lab and other museum exhibits.
This is a part-time trust fund position (not federal civil service) paying $19–22 per hour, with potential promotion to grade 5. You'll need 1–3 years of related experience in facilitation, group management, or hands-on education, plus the ability to communicate informally about invention and science topics. The role includes standard trust benefits such as health insurance, retirement plan options, and museum discounts. This is a temporary appointment with a maximum of two years.
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Pay for this role
$19 to $22 per year
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