STEM Community Liaison

PacSci; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific Science Center in Seattle seeks a STEM Community Liaison to connect researchers, industry partners, and educators with PacSci’s public programs. You will lead community programs from concept through delivery and evaluation, translating research into accessible experiences for guests.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, represent PacSci in external settings, and help strengthen inclusion and access through partnerships that welcome diverse perspectives and STEM voices from

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of STEM engagement or related field experience.
• Proven ability to build and sustain professional relationships with STEM professionals and partners.
• Experience leading programs from planning to follow-up.
• Onsite work with occasional evenings and weekends.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop partnerships with STEM professionals and institutions.
• Coordinate programs including scheduling, volunteers, and materials.
• Be on-site to troubleshoot and ensure smooth events.
• Translate research into accessible public programming.
• Evaluate programs and share outcomes to inform future programming.

Skills

Relationship-building

Public speaking

Project management

Communication

Organizational skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Undergraduate STEM degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Title: STEM Community Liaison

Department: Education

Reports to: Senior Manager of STEM Community Programming

Pay Class: Full-time Regular

FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt

Position Summary

The STEM Community Liaison builds relationships with STEM professionals, researchers, and industry partners to strengthen Pacific Science Center’s public programming and connection to the region’s STEM community.Working closely with the Senior Manager of Theaters and STEM Community Programs and cross-functional teams, this position leads STEM communityprograms fromconcept through delivery and evaluation. The Liaison works directly with external partners to understand their research, goals, and networks, translating those connections into accurate, engaging, and accessible experiences for PacSci guests.

The position brings current STEM research, expertise, and perspectives into PacSci programming and helps connect audiences with the people and organizations shaping science and technology in our region. PacSci is committed to strengthening inclusion, diversity, equity, and access within our workplace and community. This role supports that commitment through programs and partnerships that welcome diverse perspectives and experiences.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Partnership Development (20%):

• Build and maintain relationships with STEM professionals, researchers, academic institutions, industry, and community organizations, serving as a primary point of contact beyond individual events or projects.

• Represent PacSci professionally in external meetings, networking opportunities, and community settings.

• Maintain accurate records of partner and volunteer relationships, engagement, and program participation.

Program & Event Coordination (40%):

• Coordinate program needs including scheduling, materials, space, communications, volunteer coordination, setup, and day-of program support.
• Be on-site for assigned programs and events to troubleshoot operational needs and help ensure a smooth experience.
• Communicate with internal teams and external partners to confirm responsibilities and resolve issues.

Program Development & Staff Support (30%):

• Take ownership of assigned STEM community programs and projects from concept through delivery, evaluation, and follow-up.

• Work with the Senior Manager and internal teams to develop programs that align with PacSci goals and audience needs.

• Co-create programs with STEM professionals and partners that are accurate, engaging, relevant, and accessible to public audiences.

• Develop resources that support staff in science communication, public engagement, and working with STEM professionals and community partners.

• Evaluate programs and partnerships with feedback and other measures to inform programming and demonstrate impact.

Customer Service (10%):

• Help create a welcoming, engaging, and inclusive experience for guests, STEM partners, volunteers, and staff during assigned programs and events.

• Serve as a visible PacSci representative during programs, responding to guest questions, partner needs, and unexpected situations with professionalism and good judgment.

Other projects and responsibilities may be added at the organization's discretion.

Position Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong relationship-building skills and ability to establish credibility with professionals across academia, research, industry, and community organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of programs, projects, or partnerships from concept through implementation.
• Ability to understand partner goals, expertise, and capacity and connect them to organizational and audience needs.
• Ability to navigate professional environments across academia, research, and industry.
• Ability to translate STEM research and technical information into accurate, engaging, and accessible public programming.
• Strong information literacy, including the ability to identify credible, primary-source STEM information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including professional correspondence, facilitation, and public speaking.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities and collaborate across teams.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and identify when collaboration or escalation is needed.
• Ability to provide thoughtful, responsive service in a public-facing environment.
• Commitment to inclusive community engagement and awareness of how identity, access, culture, and lived experience shape people’s experiences with STEM and public institutions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and file-sharing tools; comfort learning project and volunteer management systems.

Qualifications

Required

• 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in STEM engagement, science communication, research outreach, industry engagement, community partnerships, program development, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing and sustaining professional relationships with STEM professionals, researchers, industry partners, academic institutions, or similar organizations.
• Experience leading programs, projects, or partnerships from planning through implementation and follow-up.
• Undergraduate degree in a STEM field, education, communications, community engagement, or related area, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Work is primarily performed onsite and includes some evenings and weekends.

Preferred

• Experience working in or alongside an academic, research, or industry setting.
• Experience translating current research or technical information for public audiences.
• Familiarity with the Pacific Northwest STEM landscape.
• Experience with science communication, public engagement, informal learning, or collaborative STEM programming.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

Physical demands of the position could include moving supplies and objects up to 35 lbs, positioning oneself at various levels including at a child’s height; must be able to communicate verbally and in writing, utilizing radios, telephone, and virtual platforms to give and receive information, as well as engaging in public speaking for groups from 2 to 500 in live presentations. Position duties will require an individual to maneuver through crowded areas; manipulate and safely use objects, tools or controls; reach to retrieve supplies and objects; respond quickly to sounds in the area. The noise level in the shared office space varies from low to moderate, often utilizing a computer workstation. Noise-level during program delivery can be expected to increase as the number of participants increases. Running technology requires varying levels of visual acuity.

This position description generally describes the principal functions of the position and the level of knowledge and skills typically required. It does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee, and it is subject to change as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.