NEXT Lab Ambassador

ACU College of Business Administration; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Abilene Christian University's NEXT Lab is seeking a proactive ambassador to welcome visitors and lead tours of the SERC for school groups, ACU students and families, and community members.

The role involves communicating the mission and work of NEXT Lab in an accessible, engaging way, answering questions, coordinating with staff, and ensuring a friendly, professional experience for guests; a Bachelor's degree is preferred and strong public speaking skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum: Bachelor's Degree.
• Preferred: Advanced Technical Degree.
• Experience in public speaking, education, hospitality, tours, or similar work is preferred.
• Interest in science, engineering, education, or ACU is preferred; a technical or scientific background is not required.

Responsibilities

• Welcome visitors to NEXT Lab.
• Lead engaging and informative tours for a variety of groups.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Communicate the mission, history, research, and work of NEXT Lab.
• Adapt tour content and presentation style based on audience.
• Explain technical concepts clearly and answer questions.
• Follow safety requirements, security procedures, and facility access policies.

Skills

Public speaking

Verbal communication

Hospitality

Customer service

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Advanced Technical Degree

Job description

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.

ACU NEXT Lab is looking for an engaging, dependable, and enthusiastic individual to serve as a NEXT Lab Ambassador. This individual will represent NEXT Lab by welcoming visitors and leading tours of the Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC) for school groups, ACU students and families, community members, and other interested groups.

The NEXT Lab Ambassador will communicate the mission, work, and story of NEXT Lab and in an engaging and accessible way to a variety of audiences. The ideal candidate will be comfortable speaking to groups, interacting with visitors of all ages, answering questions, and creating a welcoming and professional experience for guests.

Next Lab Core Values

• Christ-like Character

• Driven to Deliver

• Better Together

Basic Responsibilities

• Welcome visitors to NEXT Lab.
• Lead engaging and informative tours for a variety of groups.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Duties

• Welcome visitors to NEXT Lab.
• Welcome guests and provide basic orientation to the SERC.
• Create a friendly, engaging, and professional environment for visitors.
• Represent ACU and NEXT Lab positively in interactions with prospective students, families, educators, community members, and other guests.
• Assist groups in navigating the facility and following visitor and safety requirements.
• Lead engaging and informative tours for a variety of groups.
• Coordinate with NEXT Lab staff regarding tour schedules, group needs, and special accommodations.
• Lead tours of the SERC for K-12 school groups, ACU students and families, community organizations, and other interested groups.
• Accurately communicate the mission, history, research, and work of NEXT Lab.
• Adapt tour content and presentation style based on the age, background, interests, and knowledge level of each group.
• Explain technical and scientific concepts in a clear and approachable manner.
• Answer visitor questions or appropriately refer questions to NEXT Lab faculty and staff when additional expertise is needed.
• Follow established tour routes, safety requirements, security procedures, and facility access policies.
• Provide feedback that may help improve the visitor and tour experience.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Professional Development Requirements

Training

• Previous experience in public speaking, education, hospitality, customer service, tours, or similar work is preferred.
• An interest in science, engineering, education, or ACU is preferred; a technical or scientific background is not required.

Professional

• Minimum: Bachelor's Degree
• Preferred: Advanced Technical Degree

Personal Skills

• Excellent verbal communication and public-speaking skills.
• Friendly, outgoing, and comfortable engaging with groups of varying sizes.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children, students, families, educators, professionals, and community members.
• Ability to learn scientific or technical information and communicate it in an understandable way.
• Strong interpersonal and hospitality skills.
• Dependability and punctuality.
• Professional appearance and demeanor.
• Ability to adapt presentations and respond appropriately to unexpected questions or situations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while leading tours.
• Ability to walk throughout the SERC and navigate stairs as needed.
• Ability to speak clearly and project one's voice while addressing groups.
• Ability to accommodate a variable work schedule based on scheduled tours, events, and visitor needs.

ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.

ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions. As a current employee, it will be determined if you need an additional background check upon your hire.