STEM Community Liaison

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: 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 community programs from concept 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 organizations 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 in volume 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.

Compensation

The hourly pay rate for this role is $28-$36/hr.

In addition to base salary, all employees receive:

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

Full-time regular employees (at least 30 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.