Staff Scientist, Chemistry – Full Time

Valid8 Financial, Inc.; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

21 paid days off annually

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Life and Long Term Disability

Employee Assistance Program

Professional Development Opportunities

Family membership to Arizona Science C

Admission Exchange Program

Job summary

Arizona Science Center seeks a Staff Scientist, Chemistry to develop and deliver on‑site chemistry programs, workshops, and demonstrations for visitors of all ages.

The role includes training interpreters, maintaining chemical safety, and ensuring content aligns with exhibits and STEM holidays. Strong communication and adaptability are essential for engaging guests and pursuing informal education goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; four years of related experience or training may substitute.
• Experience with standard computer applications; proficient in MS Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Program Development: Initiate, research, and develop new chemistry programs and demonstrations aligned with curriculum standards.
• Content Creation and Collaboration: Plan, organize, and deliver workshops and initiatives; collaborate with departments to enhance visitor experience.
• Exhibit Content: Provide and evaluate chemistry content that is hands‑on and aligns with floor exhibits; stay updated with scientific advancements.
• Visitor Experience and Guest Engagement: Anticipate guest needs, respond to concerns, and assist in other areas of the center as needed.

Skills

Problem solving

Content adaptation

Effective communication

Public speaking

Team leadership

Inquiry‑based questioning

Multitasking

Evenings/weekends availability

Chemical safety

Labeling & storage procedures

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Reports To: Sr. Scientist of Computer Science and Technology

Job Description:

Join the Arizona Science Center as a staff scientist. Specializing in Chemistry, your role will include developing content and delivering onsite engagement through demonstrations, workshops, hands‑on activities, and educational on‑site programming. Responsible for assisting in maintaining chemical inventory and handling and conducting chemical training for staff. Ensuring that content creation aligns with exhibits and relevant STEM holidays. The Staff Scientist, Chemistry will deliver quality on the floor engagement to engage guests of all ages. This position also plays a crucial role in training full time and part time science interpreters and communicators. Your mission is to make the complex concepts of Chemistry accessible and exciting. If you have a passion for informal education and are eager to dynamically involve guests in a learning environment, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Development:

• Initiate, research, and develop new programs, workshops, and demonstrations in chemistry, ensuring they are age‑appropriate and align with current curriculum standards and learning theories.
• Deliver, train, and oversee the implementation of chemistry programs by team members.

Content Creation and Collaboration:

• Plan, organize, and deliver workshops, programs, and initiatives, collaborating with other departments to enhance the overall visitor experience.
• Develop, implement, train, and deliver specific content that aligns with STEM holidays and Arizona Science Center STEM programming.
• Development of stage demonstrations and activations that align with exhibits related to chemistry.

Exhibit Content:

• Provide and evaluate current relevant, compelling science content pertaining to Chemistry that is hands‑on and align with floor exhibits.
• Continuously assess scientific content to verify its alignment with the latest scientific advancements.

Visitor Experience and Guest Engagement:

• Anticipate needs/issues related to chemistry programming, identify solutions, and respond to guest/visitor complaints/concerns.
• Assist in other areas of Arizona Science Center as needed

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Skill in problem‑solving and decision‑making.
• Skill in adapting program content and complexity to the ages and interests of youth and adults
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholders
• Ability to present effectively with diverse audiences. Ability to manage and engage small and large groups in learning activities.
• Ability to engage the audience in higher‑level thinking through inquiry‑based questioning and discussion.
• Ability to multitask and adjust quickly to changing priorities or organizational needs.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Safely handle, store, and dispose of chemicals by OSHA regulations.
• Implement proper labeling and storage procedures for chemicals to ensure safety and compliance.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• The minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree or equivalent or at least four years of related experience or training or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with standard computer applications; proficient in MS Office skills, including Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Ability to read, write, and converse in Spanish, Navajo, or Diné preferred.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions in practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

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

An employee must meet the physical demands described here to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is 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. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee must frequently lift or move up to 30 pounds. Occasionally, employees must lift up 65 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

This job also requires a computer, which will be placed somewhere in the employee’s workspace. The employee must have the necessary keyboard and computer mouse skills and the ability to read a color monitor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

BENEFITS include, but are not limited to:

• 21 paid days off annually, including holidays, birthdays, and vacation days
• 10 days of accrued sick time
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Life and Long Term Disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development Opportunities
• 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.