Experience Specialist- Scientist

Stepping Stones Museum for Children; East Norwalk (CT); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Stepping Stones Museum for Children in East Norwalk, CT seeks an Experience Specialist to design and deliver discovery-based experiences across STEAM, art, history, science, and health education. This part-time role (20–29 hours/week) requires one weekend day and flexibility for evenings/holidays to support museum operations and events.

The specialist translates complex concepts into accessible, playful learning moments, leads diverse workshops, mentors staff, and builds strong relationships

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in a specialized content area.
• CPR/First Aid certification (provided by the museum if not current).
• Minimum 3 years professional experience in a specialized content area with a proven track record in teaching, facilitation, or public engagement.

Responsibilities

• Engage visitors, answer questions, and facilitate learning on the museum floor.
• Design and facilitate discovery-based experiences that translate complex concepts into playful learning moments.
• Lead and facilitate school workshops, multi-session experiences, and multiple daily sessions.
• Build relationships with educators and community partners; communicate learning outcomes.
• Support family experiences, group visits, afterschool programs, and events.
• Prepare materials, supervise equipment, and participate in team meetings.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Adaptability

Self-regulation

Active listening

Relationship builder

Communication

Leadership presence

Mentoring staff

Public engagement

Performance background

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEAM/arts/education

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Overview:

The Experience Specialist is a passionate, highly qualified content specialist with deep subject-matter expertise in a specialized field (STEAM, art, history, music, performance, puppetry, science, and health education). This individual is an expert in their field, capable of designing and delivering engaging, discovery-based experiences that challenge and inspire visitors of all ages. They use their specialized knowledge to create meaningful learning moments, integrate real-world applications, and serve as a resource for both visitors and staff.

This role combines content mastery with exceptional facilitation skills, leadership presence, and collaborative experience development. An Experience Specialist translates complex concepts into accessible, playful experiences while maintaining the intellectual rigor and authenticity that come from subject-matter expertise.

This role is fundamentally people-facing and requires an outgoing, energetic professional who thrives on constant visitor interaction. Comfort with spontaneous public engagement and the ability to confidently approach and connect with strangers, including large groups, are essential.

The Experience Specialist spends at least 75% of their time on the museum floor engaging with visitors and facilitating workshops, and 25% on intentional planning and administrative duties.

This is a part-time position of twenty to twenty-nine (20–29) hours per week and requires schedule flexibility, including a minimum of one (1) weekend day, occasional evenings, and holidays to support museum operations, programs, and events as needed.

Position Responsibilities:

• Proactively initiate spontaneous engagement, answering questions and extending learning through specialized knowledge—approaching families, greeting visitors, and creating connections without hesitation
• Serve as the museum's subject-matter expert in a designated content area, designing and facilitating discovery-based experiences that translate complex concepts into accessible, playful learning moments
• Create and deliver specialized performances, demonstrations, and experiences that integrate real-world examples, advanced concepts, and developmentally appropriate
• Develop comprehensive visitor engagement activities, specialized workshops, and innovative experiences aligned with the museum's Learning Framework and current research
• Pilot, assess, and refine experiences using observation and feedback for data-informed improvements
• Act as subject-matter expert for the department, providing guidance, mentorship, and specialized knowledge to staff, volunteers, and interns
• Contribute expertise to cross-departmental initiatives, strategic planning, and collaborative learning framework sessions
• Lead and facilitate complex school workshops, multi-session experiences, and multiple daily sessions, adapting content for different grade levels, learning styles, and special needs
• Build relationships with educators and community partners; communicate effectively regarding experience content and learning outcomes
• Support family experiences, group visits, afterschool experiences, summer camps, and special events
• Provide spontaneous, responsive engagement and facilitate hands-on discovery experiences across museum areas throughout operating hours
• Create welcoming, inclusive environments while maintaining high energy during extended floor shifts
• Monitor, maintain, and prepare experience materials, supplies, and equipment; participate in team meetings

Requirements

Core Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal skills, professional maturity, adaptability, and self-reliance
• Self-aware and self-regulating; reads social and emotional cues; demonstrates empathy and active listening with visitors and colleagues
• Strong relationship builder: Communicates effectively across all organizational levels, manages disagreements constructively, and welcomes feedback to foster trust
• Consistently demonstrates good judgment and maintains composure in challenging situations
• Intrinsically motivated with a positive attitude; embraces change, setbacks, and last-minute adjustments with enthusiasm and curiosity
• Sensitive to diversity, including individuals with physical challenges or special needs

Minimum Experience and Certificates:

• Bachelor's degree in specialized content area (STEAM, art, history, music, performance, puppetry, science, health education, or relevant field) OR equivalent professional experience demonstrating subject-matter mastery
• CPR/First Aid certification (provided by the museum if not current)
• Minimum 3 years professional experience in a specialized content area with a proven track record in teaching, facilitation, or public engagement
• Experience in informal educational settings using child-centered, experiential, inquiry-based approaches with diverse populations
• Deep subject-matter knowledge with the ability to translate complex concepts for diverse audiences; current with field developments and best practices
• Passionate about experiential, play-based learning and spontaneous visitor engagement; committed to diversity and inclusive practices
• Naturally outgoing, comfortable being "on" and engaging with hundreds of visitors daily
• Thrives in high-visibility roles requiring constant public interaction and performance
• Confident approaching strangers of all ages and backgrounds to initiate conversations and facilitate experiences
• Comfortable being the center of attention while leading groups, facilitating activities, and commanding floor presence
• Energized by sustained social interaction across 4-6 hour shifts
• Outstanding communication, improvisational, and creative problem-solving abilities rooted in content expertise
• Strong organizational skills with leadership presence and ability to mentor others
• Ability to engage at children's eye level for prolonged periods; comfortable in active, high-energy environments
• Bilingual capabilities (Spanish highly valued) and performance background (theater, puppetry, storytelling, music) preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite