ADMINISTRATOR, SCIENCE PROGRAM, CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER

California Lottery; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California at California Science Center in Los Angeles seeks a Curator, Technology to lead exhibits and science programs.

The role requires Ph.D. in a relevant field, public science communication experience, budget oversight, and strong collaboration across disciplines. Work is in-office, Monday–Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm. New hires start at the minimum of the salary range, with PLP 2025 adjustments noted.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in engineering, technology, computer science, physical sciences, or closely related field.
• Experience in public science communication or educational program development.
• Experience developing exhibits at a science center or museum.
• Experience managing budgets or program resources.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to general audiences.
• Administrative or supervisory experience in planning and coordinating programs.
• Strong written communication and report writing skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Skills

Public science communication

Exhibit development

Educational program development

Budget management

Written communication

Project coordination

Education

Ph.D. in engineering, technology, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Curator, Technology
ADMINISTRATOR, SCIENCE PROGRAM, CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER

$9,467.00 - $10,751.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Working Conditions

PLEASE REFER TO DUTY STATEMENT IN THE WORK ENVIRONMENT SECTION.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ADMINISTRATOR, SCIENCE PROGRAM, CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER

Work Location: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Work Shift: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Work Week: Monday - Friday

Department Information

The California Science Center, a prominent state scientific and technological museum, is located south of Downtown Los Angeles at Exposition Park and is open to the public seven days a week, 362 days per year, with free general admission to its permanent exhibit galleries. One of California’s premier family destinations, it features award-winning exhibits that aim to inspire science learning and the permanent home for the Space Shuttle Endeavor.

Mission: The California Science Center aspires to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone by creating fun, memorable experiences because we value science as an indispensable tool for understanding our world, accessibility and inclusiveness, and enriching people’s lives.

Note: In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.

Special Requirements

The selected candidate will be required to submit to pre-\u2014employment hiring clearances which include the following: Department of Justice Live Scan fingerprint and medical testing for tuberculosis, within three business days of receipt of a conditional offer of employment.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• An earned Ph.D. from an accredited college or university in engineering, technology, computer science, physical sciences, applied sciences, or a closely related scientific field that will complement the existing curatorial team's expertise in air and space, ecology and environmental science, and physiology and medicine.


• Expertise in a field related to technology or engineering is strongly preferred.


• Experience developing exhibits (on any subject) at a science center or museum is strongly preferred.


• Three or more years of experience in public science communication, informal science education, science or technology exhibit development, educational program development, or related public engagement work, preferably involving technology or engineering.


• One or more years of administrative or supervisory experience involving planning, coordination, implementation, or management of science programs, exhibits, educational programs, research activities, or related programs.


• Demonstrated ability to communicate science, technology, or engineering concepts to a lay audience clearly and accessibly.


• Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, implement, and monitor science, technology, engineering, or educational programs and projects.


• Experience managing budgets, financial resources, grants, or other program resources in support of science, technology, engineering, or educational programs.


• Creative problem-\u2014solving skills and the ability to develop practical and innovative solutions to complex scientific, technical, programmatic, or operational issues.


• Ability to speak clearly and effectively in front of professional, educational, and general public audiences.


• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and collaborative team environment.


• Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, discretion, and sound judgment when communicating and making decisions in sensitive or complex situations.


• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with colleagues, management, subject-\u2014matter experts, external partners, stakeholders, and representatives of government and other agencies.


• Experience managing vendors, contractors, consultants, or contracts, and coordinating program or exhibition activities in accordance with applicable organizational policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines.


• Experience working in a fast-\u2014paced and changing environment involving multiple programs, priorities, and deadlines.


• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to prepare reports, proposals, correspondence, and other professional documents as well as program materials and interpretive content for a general public audience.


• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite and other software or digital tools used for program administration, exhibit development, research, project management, or data management.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled.You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s)to the Department's EEO Office.

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

ELIGIBILITY AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

To be considered for the job vacancy you MUST satisfy one of the following requirements:

List Eligibility – Successfully complete the civil service exam for the classification (see Examination Information section below).

Transfer Eligibility – Must have current employment with the State of California in the same classification or in a classification that is comparable. If in a different classification, you must meet the minimum qualifications (see Minimum