Science Communicator, Makerspace, Part-Time

Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Position Type: Part-Time (Weekends and Evenings required)

About the Role

As a Makerspace Science Communicator, you will play a crucial role in enhancing the guest experience by providing engaging and relevant science experiences to visitors of all ages in our Makerspace. This position supports the CREATE makerspace by fabricating educational materials, facilitating hands-on STEM experiences, and ensuring safety workshops, field trips, Skill Studios, homeschool programs, special events, and other educational offerings are delivered safely, efficiently, and with exceptional guest experiences.

Responsibilities

• Visitor Experience & Educational Facilitation
  • Facilitate Skill Studios, workshops, field trips, homeschool programs, large programming, and other educational offerings.
  • Adapt facilitation techniques to support diverse learning styles and abilities while adapting instruction to meet participant needs.
  • Foster an inclusive, welcoming environment that encourages creativity, experimentation, and problem-solving.
  • Deliver excellent customer service while representing Arizona Science Center and CREATE makerspace.
• Program Preparation
  • Fabricate educational materials, prototypes, kits, and activity components using makerspace tools and technologies.
  • Prepare materials and equipment for daily programming, one-time and recurring workshops, and special events.
  • Assist with developing and improving projects, activities, and educational experiences.
  • Support fabrication for exhibits, demonstrations, and seasonal programming as approved by Senior Scientists.
• Resource Management
  • Organize, inventory, fabricate, maintain, and restock materials and consumable supplies.
  • Ensure program setup, breakdown, and transportation of equipment and materials for CREATE programming.
• Makerspace Operations and Collaboration
  • Maintain organized workspaces that support efficient fabrication and safe operation.
  • Follow all makerspace safety procedures and operational standards.
  • Collaborate with makerspace staff and volunteers to develop, test, refine, and document educational programming.
  • Contribute ideas for new workshops, activities, and maker experiences.
  • Adapt to changing priorities, schedules, and programming needs.
  • Represent CREATE professionally while promoting Arizona Science Center's mission.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to be relied upon to be on time.
• Ability to work individually and in a team.
• Ability to present effectively with diverse audiences.
• Ability to engage the audience in higher-level thinking through inquiry-based questioning and discussion.
• Ability to adjust quickly to changing priorities or organizational needs.
• Experience engaging people in interactive, hands-on, engaging learning experiences.
• Ability to work weekends, particularly Saturdays, and evenings.
• Two-year degree preferred and/or equivalent of at least 2 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with physical makerspace equipment including but not limited to: CO2 laser, 3D Printer, woodshop tools, sewing machines, etc.
• Proficient in Google Suite skills, including Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Slides.
• Interest in making and engineering.
• Ability to read, write, and converse in Spanish, Navajo, or Diné preferred.
• Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions in practical situations.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with abstract and concrete variables.

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to stand.
• Frequently lift or move up to 30 pounds; occasionally lift up to 65 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
• Must have necessary keyboard and computer mouse skills and the ability to read a color monitor.

Work Environment

• Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Benefits

• Sick time
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Family membership to Arizona Science Center and 600+ Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
• Admission Exchange Program - Year-round complimentary admission for the employee and one guest to visit the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Arizona Museum of Natural History, etc.