Visitor Engagement Facilitator

SupportFinity™; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 35,610 - 37,691; Part time

Job summary

Exploratorium in San Francisco is seeking a part-time Visitor Engagement Facilitator. You will greet visitors, teach concepts, assist with field trips, and ensure an engaging, inclusive museum experience across exhibits, programs, and services.

The role emphasizes customer service, cross-department collaboration, and effective communication with guests of all ages. Onsite work, flexible hours, and union pay scale apply.

Qualifications

• Weekend, evening, holiday hours may be required.
• Ability and interest in learning exhibits and communicating principles.
• Guest-first customer service mindset is essential.
• Professional and courteous with the public, donors, and staff.
• Punctual, neat, and detail oriented; strong interpersonal skills.
• Able to work in a noisy environment and with large groups.
• Self-starter with initiative; proficient in math and English; computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Initiate visitor engagement and assist guests at all points of the visitor journey.
• Facilitate enriching experiences through exhibits, demonstrations, and inquiry.
• Participate in field trips and programs linking students, teachers, and visitors.
• Provide excellent guest service and meet or exceed service targets.
• Assist guests with accessibility needs and special requests.
• Prepare spaces for daily operations and maintain the museum floor.
• Communicate museum information clearly to guests in a hands-on setting.
• Handle sales, ticketing, retail, and memberships per policies.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Facilitation

Teaching/education

Visitor services

Job description

Summary

The Visitor Engagement Facilitator is a multi‑department position that serves as educator and facilitator of informal science and art experiences for all museum visitors. This position works cross‑functionally in visitor experience and visitor services roles to welcome and provide visitors with meaningful educational engagement throughout their journey. The position uses teaching and facilitation skills to work both at the museum and off‑site for programming as needed. It is the first point of contact for all visitors, members, donors, field trips, groups, and customers. VEF staff will be assigned to stations throughout the museum, including entry, exit, stores, and the museum galleries, including temporary programs and exhibitions. Staff must be friendly, approachable, and knowledgeable about the museum, focusing on meeting and exceeding the expectations of guests and members, and contributing to an exceptional museum experience.

Essential Functions

• Initiate visitor engagement and assist all museum guests at all points of the visitor journey.
• Serve as a facilitator to enrich the museum experience for visitors of all ages through exhibit explorations, scientific demonstrations, and inquiry‑based processes.
• Participate in the field trip program and other programs and projects that strengthen connections between students, teachers, visitors, and their museum learning experiences.
• Use initiative and enthusiasm to provide excellent guest service and create exceptional experiences; go above and beyond expectations to meet or exceed service targets.
• Provide assistance to guests with additional needs throughout the museum, including those who have been separated from their party, lost and found requests, and ensuring visitor comfort and accessibility needs are met.
• Prepare the museum for daily operations; maintain appearance, report dysfunctional exhibits to technical staff, and manage all assigned spaces and positions.
• Be knowledgeable about the museum, its history, programs, exhibits, and special events and effectively communicate this information to guests in a dynamic hands‑on environment.
• Effectively handle sales, service, and payments for ticketing, retail, membership, and museum programs in accordance with established museum policies and procedures.
• Answer requests for information by phone, electronically, and in person; troubleshoot technical issues and perform routine office tasks as needed.
• Collaborate with other internal departments to ensure all areas of the museum floor are functional, safe, and visitor ready, and assist during emergency procedures.
• Participate in professional development through individual and group learning and collaborative project work, and ongoing trainings in visitor service, business operations, and inquiry‑based practices.
• Perform additional duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Weekend, evening, holiday hours and occasional extended shifts required.
• Ability and interest in learning exhibits and their scientific principles and communicating these to students, teachers, and general visitors.
• Commitment to providing exceptional customer service with a guests‑first mentality.
• Professional and courteous with the general public, educational community, museum staff, and professional guests; able to interact with senior management, high‑level donors, and all other members of a diverse community.
• Punctual, neat, and accurate in work habits; precise and detail‑oriented.
• Excellent telephone, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a noisy and sometimes chaotic environment and be flexible under a variety of circumstances.
• Ability to interact with and manage large groups; friendly, outgoing, positive, and enthusiastic attitude.
• Exercise good judgment while working independently and collaboratively within a diverse team environment.
• Reliable and a self‑starter with initiative.
• Math and English proficiency required.
• Computer proficiency required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual skills.
• Investment in diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.
• Experience in visitor service, cashier, and/or retail.
• Experience in an informal education setting or visitor‑focused role.
• Background in working with youth and knowledge of crisis intervention.

Physical Requirement

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position is based in San Francisco, California, with staff expected to work onsite a certain number of days per week based on department requirements.
• Able to move from place to place, which may include standing and/or walking for extended periods, lift and carry up to 50 pounds for short distances, bend, kneel, and reach.

Application Deadline

This position is open until filled.

How To Apply

This is a regular, part‑time (30 hours per week), non‑exempt, union position that includes benefits. The starting range for this role is $25.85 to $27.36. This range represents step 1‑3 on a 6‑step union pay scale. Please, no phone calls in regards to this job. To apply, please visit the Exploratorium job page.

The Exploratorium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and values diversity, inclusion and respect. We welcome and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The Exploratorium is committed to an inclusive workforce.

Exploratorium
Piers 15/17, San Francisco, CA 94111
Website: https://www.exploratorium.edu/about/jobs.