The Science Engagement Attendant welcomes visitors to OMSI as they enter the museum’s exhibits, halls, and attractions, with an emphasis on Science Playground. They work closely with Early Childhood Engagement staff and program areas to ensure the museum’s youngest visitors and their families access and experience the museum in safe and fun ways.

Essential Job Responsibilities

The Science Engagement Attendant rotates between Science Playground and Featured Hall (and other halls and lab areas during peak times) as assigned by the Manager of Engagement. Key responsibilities include:

• Science Engagement Attendant Activities:
  • Actively greets visitors and provides an overview of expectations, including the communication of clear and accurate information about the museum’s exhibits, attractions, and policies;
  • Monitors and safely manages visitor queues, e.g., maintaining proper visitor capacity in Science Playground, operating the Featured Hall entry area to effectively spread out based on timed ticketing, and relaying queue time updates with guests;
  • Actively interacts with visitors while applying culturally responsive practices, such as answering general museum questions, providing wayfinding information, and supporting other guest/department requests;
  • De-escalates difficult guest interactions, with an emphasis on delivering high quality customer service. Collaborates with area coordinators, science educators, and security staff to resolve more complex customer issues, concerns, and interactions.
• Safety and Operations:
  • Maintains a safe, clean, and secure environment for guests;
  • Remains knowledgeable of OMSI safety protocols and emergency procedures, which includes (but is not limited to) evacuations, first aid, and reconnecting lost children and caregivers;
  • Ensures visitors follow safety protocols and museum procedures as expressed by OMSI guidelines;
  • Supports daily museum operations and exhibits supplies as directed by their supervisor.

Working Conditions

• This position is non-exempt, paid hourly;
• This position is special project, part-time scheduled for 16-24 hours/week, with the option of picking up additional shifts up to 29 hours/week;
  • Special Project to end on May 31, 2023;
  • Requires working onsite at the museum location;
  • Requires working on some weekends, and days and/or evenings with peak traffic.
• Physical Demands: 15% sitting, 80% standing, 5% lifting/carrying/pushing 10 lbs;
  • You must be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19 or qualify for an accommodation under the ADA for medical or religious reasons;
  • Ability to bend, stoop, crawl, and sit on the floor multiple times a day;
  • Ability to clean surfaces and pick up items multiple times a day;

• Vision Demands include:
  • Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches of less);
  • Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more);
  • Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left or right while eyes are fixed on a given point);
  • Depth and perception (three dimensional vision, ability to judge distance and spatial relationships);
  • Ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eyes to bring an object into sharp focus).
• Environmental Demands include:
  • Fumes or airborne particles
  • Toxic or caustic chemicals
• Noise Levels include:
  • Quiet (examples: library, private office)
  • Moderate (examples: business office with computers and printers, light traffic)
  • Loud (examples: metal can manufacturing department, large earth-moving equipment)

Secondary Job Responsibilities

Secondary responsibilities include—but are not limited to—the following:

• Direct guests to appropriate lines to redeem pre-purchased tickets or purchase tickets onsite;
• Additional duties as assigned by the Manager of Engagement.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

REQUIREMENTS:

• Comfort and ability to engage diverse populations of learners in interactive learning, with an emphasis on customer service and presentation;
• Ability to defuse aggression, objection, or conflict using culturally competent, anti-racist, and empathetic approaches and responses;
• Exercises sound judgment and problem-solving while upholding high integrity and ethical standards;
• Demonstrated ability to pivot between individual and team work;
• Ability to model and support a positive team dynamic with paid and unpaid staff;
• Knowledge of or ability to learn foundational science content and processes;
• Ability to adhere to confidentiality, protocol, and community agreements;
• Proficiency with Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office.

PREFERENCES:

• Developed knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles;

• Proficient or native fluency in a second language (non-English).

Education & Work Experience

REQUIREMENTS:

• Demonstrated success working with people of diverse ages and backgrounds, including examples of de-escalation and strong communication skills;
• Demonstrated experience providing high quality customer service in a work environment e.g., retail, food industry, call center, or similar;

PREFERENCES:

• High School Diploma or GED;
• Informal education teaching experience (museum, zoo, nature preserve);
• Demonstrated experience working in a STEAM education-based environment;
• Community engagement experience;
• Experience working with volunteers.

Additional Requirements/Preferences; Including Licenses and Certifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Pre-employment checks, such as criminal background checks and reference checks.

PREFERENCES:

• None.