Exhibits Technician

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh is seeking an Exhibits Technician to maintain, repair, develop, construct, and clean exhibits. This union, casual part-time position reports to the Director of Exhibits and pays $17.15 per hour.

Responsibilities include installing and upgrading exhibits, ensuring safety, coordinating with Facilities, and supporting daily start-up and exhibit checks. Qualifications include high school diploma and experience with carpentry, tools, and AV systems.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Vocational training or on-the-job experience required.
• Experience with shop machines, carpentry, hand tools, welding, woodworking, plumbing, and electronics.
• Audio/visual knowledge and troubleshooting skills required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair, and install exhibits and displays; ensure materials are available.
• Determine repair methods and choose the safest, most effective approach.
• Clean exhibit components and coordinate with Facilities Manager for best outcomes.
• Participate in daily museum startup including lighting and exhibit checks for daily visitors.
• Install traveling and temporary exhibits; contribute to permanent exhibit development or prototyping.
• Observe policies for financial management and record keeping; maintain exhibit development costs.
• Comply with HR policies; participate in staff meetings; represent the museum to the community.
• Stay current with exhibit and programming initiatives related to construction, design, and development; suggest improvements for safety.
• Perform other duties as required to ensure Exhibit Department success.

Skills

Shop machines

Carpentry

Hand tools

Welding

Woodworking

Plumbing

Electronics

AV troubleshooting

Communication

Safety awareness

Physical stamina

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Vocational training or on-the-job experience

Job description

Job Title: Exhibits Technician

Reports to: Director of Exhibits

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Hourly

Classification: Casual Part Time

Compensation: $17.15 per hour

About the Museum

The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh provides innovative and inclusive museum experiences that inspire kindness, joy, creativity, and curiosity for all learners. We forge connections with artists, community partners, and neighbors to work on behalf of children, youth, and families. We have a vision to transform education. We believe people of all ages can benefit from different types of learning experiences.

Position Summary

This is a Union position.

The Exhibits Technician is responsible for the maintenance, repair, development, construction, and cleaning of exhibits at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh.

Essential Job Duties

• Maintain, repair, and install exhibits and displays; ensure the availability of necessary materials.
• Determine whether exhibits need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair.
• Clean designated exhibit components. Communicate with Facilities Manager to ensure best possible outcome.
• Participate in Museum daily start-up including lighting and check exhibits to ensure optimal functionality for daily visitor use.
• Install traveling and temporary exhibits.
• May serve on the exhibit team in the development of permanent exhibits including the prototyping of various components.

Additional Responsibilities

• Observe all policies and procedures for financial management and record keeping.
• Maintain accurate financial information concerning the development and construction of exhibits, such as costs incurred.
• Comply with all human resources policies and procedures.
• Participate in all appropriate staff meetings where management decisions are made.
• Positively and accurately represent the Children's Museum to the community at large.
• Understand and stay current with exhibit and programming initiatives, particularly as they relate to exhibit construction, design and development.
• Considers overall safety of visitors and staff during construction of exhibit. Suggests improvements in design or construction of exhibits to ensure a safe environment for museum visitors.
• Must perform all other functions as required to ensure the success of the Exhibits Department.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time based on business needs and in support of the mission of Children's Museum of Pittsburgh.

Job Qualifications

Education

• High School diploma or equivalent is required.
• Training in vocational schools or related on-the-job experience is required.

Experience

• Experience with shop machines, carpentry, hand tools, welding, woodworking, plumbing, and electronics necessary.
• Audio/visual knowledge/troubleshooting skills necessary.

Skills

• Must be able to use relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Must communicate regularly with museum staff to ensure an effective, safe operation of the exhibits.

Physical Requirements & Equipment Usage

• This position requires frequent movement and use of limbs, as well as good manual dexterity, coordination, and stamina. Must be able to frequently position self to properly handle materials and to properly move, construct, install, and perform maintenance on exhibits.
• Must be able to move objects, and use abdominal and lower back muscles to provide support over time without fatigue. Must be able to lift or move up to 50 lbs regularly. Must be able to lift or move 70-100 lbs occasionally with assistance.
• Ability to use and maintain equipment in compliance with the company's operating safety policies and procedures, including but not limited to pallet jacks, ladders, hand tools, power tools, and shop machines.
• This position requires exposure to chemicals and hazardous materials as follows:
• Paint (latex, epoxy, oil, spray)
• Paint thinners (toluene, thinner, lacquer, etc.)
• Wood and plastic dust
• Welding and cutting frames
• Grinding dust
• Loud machinery and debris.
• Must wear protective gear such as earplugs and safety eyewear.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment, Hours of Work, and Travel Requirements

• Weekend availability is required (at least 1 day).
• Scheduled shifts based on employment category and operational needs.
• Reliable travel capabilities to arrive on-site and on time for scheduled work shifts is required.
• Essential duties of this position will be performed in a museum environment, which includes interaction with the public and exposure to children and families.

Clearances

• FBI fingerprints (Department of Human Services), PA Child Abuse History Certification (Act 33), and PA State Criminal History Record Check (Act 34) clearances are required.

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic or trait protected by local, state, or federal law.