At Pacific Science Center, our mission is to ignite curiosity in every child and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us. Our colleagues are passionate lifelong learners who live our mission every day. Each of us commits to bring an inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) focus in every aspect of our work. Join our collaborative team and help steward our warm, welcoming, community-learning environment at PacSci. As part of our ongoing commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, we're invested in building teams with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Data shows that women and BIPOC candidates more frequently do not apply to a job because they don't feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed. If you have some of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed and you share PacSci's values and support our mission, we encourage you to apply. Position Title: Makerspace Supervisor Department: Maker & Innovation Lab Reports to: Maker & Innovation Lab Manager Pay Class: Full-time Regular FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt Position Summary The Makerspace Supervisor contributes to Pacific Science Center's mission to spark curiosity and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in Maker & Innovation Lab (MIL), PacSci's hands-on tinker activity area and makerspace. This role leads our prototype makerspace program, currently providing high quality maker experiences through teen engagement, drop- in maker activities, and maker equipment workshops. The Makerspace Supervisor acts as lead in the space, working with an innovative team to deliver programming and trainings, create and maintain organization systems, and ensure the maintenance of makerspace equipment. The Makerspace Supervisor develops and maintains community partnerships and acts on networking opportunities. This role is also a significant voice in the project developing the future expansion of Maker & Innovation Lab. Though not the final decision maker on the project, this role will lead work that will inform the final vision, including developing an operations approach and prototyping potential programs. The Makerspace Supervisor proactively leads by example, working alongside team members and supporting all levels of cleaning and maintenance in the department. Throughout this work the Makerspace Supervisor is committed to ensuring that Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access is prioritized in these efforts as well as colleague and community relationships. Essential Duties & Responsibilities This role works in close partnership with the Innovation Exhibit Supervisor. Much of the duties overlap, as both roles are people leaders who support the daily operations of Maker & Innovation Lab. The Makerspace Supervisor provides direction and operational leadership for programming that aims to deepen engagement with makerspace tools and processes. The Innovation Exhibit Supervisor provides direction and operational leadership for programming that aims to provide largely unfacilitated drop-in experiences for the general PacSci visitor, where they experience success in some aspect of design or innovation. Duties and responsibilities that distinctly reside with the Makerspace Supervisor include the following:
- Plans and supports the programming efforts inside the makerspace, including the creation, delivery and evaluation of makerspace workshops, special equipment trainings, and other maker events that provide opportunities for staff, community partners, and PacSci guests to engage in the space on varying levels. The supervisor will take on some projects themselves but will always work in collaboration with others.
- Collaborates with the Maker Programs Specialist, supervising and/or co-developing projects that aim to create programming in the makerspace.
- Models appropriate and effective open ended facilitation techniques for makerspace programming, such as hands-on learning, parallel making, inquiry-based facilitation, demonstrations, and direct instruction.
- Coordinates programming with partners pre-selected by the MIL Manager. Collaborates on program structure. Schedules and supervises programming, supports the facilitators delivering programming as well as facilitating directly when scheduling necessitates.
- Recruits, trains, supervises, and supports volunteer Makers In Residence. Includes reviewing portfolios, interviewing, ensuring background checks, ordering supplies, and acting as the onsite point person.
- Creates and manages makerspace materials, supplies and equipment inventories; submits purchasing requests for supplies and tracks spending; troubleshoots and repairs equipment as able and needed; delegates repairs and maintenance tasks to facilitators; monitors the cost of materials and assesses durability and associated maintenance costs across all aspects of makerspace operations.
- Brings an innovative mindset to Maker & Innovation Lab programming integration and expansion, iterates on a variety of delivery platforms such as existing programs and workshops, and afterschool programs, as well as through community partner opportunities.
Areas in which responsibilities of both supervisors overlap include the following:
- Works in partnership with the MIL leadership team, including the Innovation Exhibit Supervisor and the Maker & Innovation Lab Manager.
- Supervises MIL operations in partnership with the Innovation Exhibit Supervisor, providing a structured and positive work environment in partnership with the manager, that includes supporting staff, volunteers, and youth with recruiting, training, scheduling, supervising, reviewing and approving time sheets, tracking attendance, daily shift rotations, etc.
- Acts as the designated department operations lead when scheduled, on a rotation with the MIL leadership team. While doing so, supports the MIL team by responding to needs such as break coverage or guest concerns, as well as giving direction and providing supervision to ensure operations. Additionally, supports MIL and the broader PacSci guest operations by responding to radio calls for lost parties, first aid situations, etc.
- Works in collaboration with other team members to ensure that MIL serves all audiences, including families, adults, youth and educators that are aligned with formal and informal learning standards.
- Actively seeks out methods for embedding culturally responsive adaptations across these platforms.
- Supervises direct reports. Includes hiring, training, assigning tasks, performance coaching, annual performance reviews, and other support as needed.
- Works in collaboration with the MIL leadership team to co-create and maintain project management solutions, including the management of tasks, maintenance routines, and long-term projects.
- Ensures implementation of all policies and procedures, including first aid and emergency procedures and safe use of all tools and materials.
- Acts on opportunities to do informal and formal evaluation on the effectiveness of programs and activities that can contribute to the body of knowledge regarding open ended exploration, maker facilitation, and project-based challenges.
- Assists in marketing, web and social media efforts regarding programming.
- Attends and contributes to interdepartmental meetings and collaborations, representing MIL concerns and responsibilities.
- Other duties as assigned.
Position Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- Personal bias awareness and a desire to be an anti-racist leader.
- Demonstrated understanding of systemic race and gender imbalance in STEM/STEAM education.
- Knowledge of effective management strategies.
- Familiarity with making and tinkering practices in museums, community organizations, and other settings such as makerspaces.
- Ability to use hand tools and basic electronics.
- Excellent attention to detail and strong administrative skills.
- Ability to work effectively and respectfully with people from different cultural backgrounds.
- Flexibility and the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment
- Excellent customer service skills including composure under pressure, conflict resolution skills, and the ability to represent Pacific Science Center's mission and guiding principles.
- Situational awareness, attention to safety, and creative problem-solving.
- Tracking spending on program level budgets.
- Excellent writing, speaking, time management, and organizational skills. Makes complex, technical information accessible both verbally and in writing
- Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and file sharing programs
- Ability to supervise and support staff and volunteers, responding appropriately to the varying professional needs of individual staff
- Ability to ensure guests of all ages and from diverse backgrounds are welcomed and served in a manner that makes their visit positive, memorable and consistent with Pacific Science Center's mission, vision, and values
- Ability to communicate the value of a makerspace to museum guests, partners, and prospective donors, e.g. the broader developmental benefits kids take from participation in maker activities
- Demonstrated literacy with maker technology, and the ability to self-teach and evaluate tools for their potential use inside the makerspace, balancing benefits, risks and requirements with budget and maintenance considerations in the decision - making process
- Taking initiative and acting independently, as well as with a team
- Quickly learning and applying new content, policies and procedures
Qualifications Required
- Minimum two years supervisory experience, preferably including both staff and volunteers, in a customer service-oriented environment (museum, retail, food service, etc.)
- A demonstrated passion for tinkering and making
- Work schedules will flex based on seasonal cycle needs throughout the year and includes occasional early mornings and late evenings. Availability to work Saturday and Sunday is preferred
- Willingness to be first aid and CPR certified, training provided by PacSci
- Work must be performed onsite
Preferred
- Prior career or volunteer experience working in a science museum or similar organization (children's museum, zoo, aquarium, etc.)
- Prior experience developing educational programming, ideally in a makerspace, museum, or similar informal STEM or workshop setting
- Comfort with simple coding and with 2D and 3D design software used in digital fabrication
- Valid driver's license and personal transportation
- Guests visiting PacSci come from many diverse backgrounds. Proficiency in a second language such as but not limited to Spanish, Somali, Mandarin, ASL, and/or Vietnamese is a highly preferred skill to support with on floor communication
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. Compensation Pay is based on several factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and years of experience. Starting Base Salary Range: $27.76 - 30.40/hr In addition to base salary, regular employees working 40 hrs/week can expect the following benefits:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, basic life insurance, and disability insurance
- 4 weeks of vacation, 12 floating holidays, and sick pay
- 403(b) Retirement Savings
- Commuter benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee PacSci Membership
Pacific Science Center stands with those who are courageously fighting against hate, racism, and injustice. We recognize that not being racist is not sufficient. We must be actively anti-racist, and we commit to doing so. We prioritize inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in everything we do. Curiosity and critical thinking are essential to the dialogue and changes that need to happen. Pacific Science Center complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us at ...@pacsci.org.