Outreach Educator

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 PacScis values and support our mission, we encourage you to apply.

Position Title: Outreach Educator

Department: Science on Wheels

Reports to: Outreach Education Supervisor

Pay Class: Full-time Regular

FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt

We are recruiting for 3 outreach educator roles, at least 1 of whom will be Bilingual Spanish and receive a $1/hr Language Proficiency Premium (Spanish) - see below. If you are not interested in the Language Proficiency Premium (Spanish), please skip the last 2 Position Specific application questions.

Position Summary

Outreach Educators bring the best of Pacific Science Center (PacSci) to schools and community events across Washington state through our Science on Wheels (SOW) program. These engaging educators contribute to PacSci's mission to spark curiosity and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking through the facilitation of hands-on learning experiences. This role is also essential to PacSci's commitment to provide access to inclusive STEM education for all.

Outreach Educators deliver exciting and inspiring science programs both within K-8th grade schools, and during out-of-school community programs in libraries, festivals, and community centers. Programming styles include large group stage presentations, small classroom-style hands-on activity lessons, and facilitation of pop-up interactive exhibits. Content we currently teach includes astronomy, engineering, math, chemistry, physics, and human and animal biology. Deep knowledge content in all fields is not required, but a love of learning and interest in science education is.

When not delivering programs, this position arranges logistics and travel for upcoming programs, supports improvements to programs and materials, and may also support other PacSci education programming.

PacSci is committed to strengthening inclusion, diversity, equity, and access both within our workplace and in our community. This role embodies the spirit of curiosity and real-world STEM experiences, supporting and celebrating the role of STEM in the lives of all learners, regardless of background and identity. We believe that curiosity and critical thinking are essential to equity and justice for all. We embrace science as a process of inquiry, discovery, and problem solving that helps us better understand our universe and each other.

This position requires an irregular work schedule that varies week to week, including some weekends and regular overnight stays across the state while delivering programming (drive time, room and board paid by PacSci).

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Science Education:

• Use inclusive and culturally relevant teaching strategies and classroom management methods to lead classroom workshops, perform exciting science shows, and facilitate hands-on exhibit sets.
• Maintain a welcoming and accessible learning environment by prioritizing the needs of all learners with excellent and compassionate customer service.
• Engage with diverse audiences, primarily in K-8th grade, ranging from small classroom groups to whole school assemblies of over 400 students.
• Support department efforts to make improvements to programs by providing feedback, assisting with curriculum revisions, testing new materials, etc.
• Occasionally support other science education departments at the Pacific Science Center by facilitating activities for Science Center guests, leading programs with groups of campers, and other duties as assigned.

Customer Service:

• Ensure excellent customer service by working closely and professionally with school staff, community leaders and parent volunteers in coordination of the Science on Wheels visit. Interact appropriately with students and represent Pacific Science Center's Guiding Principle to delight our guests.
• Program Operations and Material Management
• Discuss logistics of visits with program delivery site contacts, make travel arrangements, and maintain timely written and verbal communication. Support maintenance of program materials and vehicles in the office and on the road.

Safety:

• Contribute to the safety of Pacific Science Center staff and program participants by exercising good judgment, attending trainings, following safety procedures, maintaining a good driving record, and alerting others of problems when necessary.
• Other projects and responsibilities may be added at the organization's discretion.

Position Requirements

• Knowledge of K-8th grade level Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) educational principles and basic content knowledge
• Personal bias awareness and desire to be an anti-racist educator
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Excellent customer service skills including composure under pressure, conflict resolution skills, and the ability to represent Pacific Science Center's mission and focus on guest experience on and off site
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, guest facing environment and be flexible, with good judgment and solutions-oriented focus in the face of challenges
• Ability to maintain energy and enthusiasm with a friendly, positive demeanor and outlook when faced with unexpected challenges during travel or program delivery
• Excellent public speaking skills - ability to present dynamic educational programs for both small and large groups (up to 500 people)
• Ability to quickly learn and apply new STEM content and informal learning concepts
• Strong interpersonal, listening, and writing skills
• Ability to assess age-appropriate risk and activities and apply good judgment and critical thinking skills
• Excellent time management
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and file sharing programs
• Enthusiastic self-learner; comfortable teaching and learning from peers

Qualifications

Required

• At least 6 months experience working with youth in an educational setting, i.e., school, community center, library, summer camp, etc.
• Undergraduate degree in a related field, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Work must be performed onsite and at program locations, ranging from nearby programs in the Seattle area to regional programs across the state of Washington. Work schedules will flex based on seasonal cycle needs throughout the year and will include some evenings and weekends, as well as multi-day travel.
• Ability to travel up to 4 consecutive days for regional program delivery.
• Valid driver's license with 5 years of driving experience, good driving record and ability and willingness to drive a 15-passenger van. Must be at least 21 years old for vehicle insurance purposes.

Preferred

• Experience working with multilingual learners

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

The workplace environment will include outdoors, inside schools, and in an office environment. 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 in volume as the number of participants increases.  Running technology requires varying levels of visual acuity.

Position will also have exposure to dust, fumes, some loud noises and chemicals (including but not limited to liquid nitrogen, helium and hydrogen gas, dry ice, acids and bases, irritants and latex). Must be able to drive 15 passenger van.

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.

Outreach Educators are eligible for a $1/hr Language Proficiency Premium (Spanish) on top of base pay rate. Eligibility for the premium requires the ability to communicate science concepts at a PreK-8th grade level in Spanish clearly, accurately, and appropriately in professional educational settings. Applicants considered for the Language Proficiency Premium will be tested during the recruitment process.

• Deliver 45‑minute workshops in Spanish or in dual language English/Spanish classroom settings
• Deliver key words and phrases from assemblies in Spanish
• Review and provide feedback on terminology that has been professionally translated from English to Spanish
• Support Spanish language assessment in recruitment efforts

Compensation

Starting base pay for this role is $24.97/hr. In addition to base salary, all employees receive:

• Employee PacSci Membership
• Commuter Benefits
• 403b Retirement Plan

Full-time regular employees (40 hrs/week) additionally receive 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
• Employee Assistance Program

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 HRDepartment@pacsci.org.