STEM Facilitator (PT)

McWane Science Center; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

McWane Science Center in Birmingham, AL seeks an entry-level STEM Facilitator to engage museum visitors through hands-on activities, demonstrations, workshops, and floor programming. You will support exhibits like the Shark and Ray Touch Tank and Itty Bitty Magic City, while assisting with animal care and safety procedures.

This position emphasizes communication, presentation skills, teamwork, and a passion for science education, with required availability on weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Friendly, outgoing, and upbeat personality with excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
• Comfort in leading presentations and interacting in a group setting with both children and adults.
• Experience in presentation of informal science programs preferred.
• Ability to interpret and communicate science concepts with enthusiasm for learning.
• Must be able and willing to work weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Ability to handle small animals, including reptiles and marine animals, in program presentations required.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate open and guided experiences to engage visitors of all ages in curiosity and discovery, including public programming and exhibit interpretation.
• Engage with visitors at various exhibits and gretting gates to establish exhibit expectations and spark discussion.
• Lead STEM-based connections to everyday life during early learning activities in exhibits such as Itty Bitty Magic City.
• Assist with care of the educational animal collection (feeding, cleaning, handling).
• Execute daily opening and closing procedures in exhibits as scheduled.
• Support Museum Engagement in creating a vibrant atmosphere on the museum floor.
• Answer visitors’ questions about the center, exhibits, and programming.
• Maintain programming venues, classrooms, and supplies in good condition.

Skills

Communication

Public speaking

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Come join our Education team! The 20 hour per week STEM Facilitator is responsible for engaging museum visitors in inquiry-based learning experiences that highlight the relevance, accessibility, and excitement of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

This entry-level position helps to create a maximized visitor experience through hands‑on activities, conversation, demonstrations, workshops, and exhibit engagement. The STEM Facilitator engages the public in floor programming, exhibit interpretation, public programs, and special event programming.

Accountabilities and Major Duties

• Facilitate open as well as guided experiences throughout the museum that engage visitors of all ages in curiosity and discovery, including but not limited to, public programming, exhibit interpretation, special event programming, community programs, etc.
• Engage with visitors at various exhibits in the museum by covering shifts at the Shark and Ray Touch Tank, the High Cycle, and the Itty Bitty Magic City greeting gate to establish exhibit expectations and spark meaningful discussion.
• Facilitate purposeful exploration and play within the museums early learning exhibit, Itty Bitty Magic City, by forming STEM‑based connections to everyday life.
• Assist with the care of the animals in our educational animal collection which includes feeding, cleaning, and animal handling.
• Implement daily opening and closing procedures in exhibits as scheduled.
• Assist the Museum Engagement division in creating a vibrant and exciting atmosphere on the museum floor.
• Answer specific and general questions from visitors that pertain to the center, exhibits, and programming.
• Regular upkeep and maintenance of programming venues, classrooms, and supplies.
• Comply with a Safety Procedures Program that ensures the safety of Education staff and visitors engaged in educational programs. Compliance with OSHA regulations and MSDS requirements is mandatory.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Friendly, outgoing, and upbeat personality with excellent customer service skills.
• Excellent communication, problem‑solving, and teamwork skills.
• Comfort in leading presentations and interacting in a group setting and an ability to engage with children and adults in a friendly, outgoing, and professional manner.
• Experience In Presentation Of Informal Science Programs Preferred.
• Ability to accurately interpret and communicate science concepts and a passion for learning.
• Must be able and willing to work weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Ability to handle small animals, including reptiles and marine animals, in program presentations required.

Minimum Physical Qualifications

• Sit/stand for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area.
• Lift objects frequently in performing the work (10-20 lbs. frequently; 70 lbs. on occasion); pull/push objects on a regular basis (50 lbs.). Reach for objects above the head or below the waist; stoop or crouch by bending at the waist or by bending legs.
• Grasp object utilizing the fingers.
• Hearing and visual acuity.
• Exposure to chemicals, fumes and vapors that could potentially affect the health of the employee.