Title: Part-Time Forge Facilitator

State Role Title: Education Support Spec I

Hiring Range: $17.00/Hourly

Pay Band: 2

Agency: The Science Museum of Virginia

Location: Broad Street Station

Agency Website: https://smv.org/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Do you love science, creativity, and hands-on making? Are you passionate about engaging with people and facilitating meaningful learning experiences for audiences of all ages?

The Maker Team is responsible for staffing and facilitating programming in the Forge, the Science Museum’s public maker space. Forge facilitators play a vital role in program development, materials preparation and organization, and the daily delivery of key Forge experiences. These include drop-in design challenges, structured maker workshops, and specialized activities that support museum-wide events and initiatives.

The Forge is an interactive learning environment that provides creative and maker-centric opportunities for a diverse, multigenerational community of visitors. Through participation in Forge experiences, guests explore how STEM concepts can be applied to the creative process, develop foundational skills with both high and low-tech tools, connect newly acquired skills to potential career interests and hobbies, and engage in the design process. These experiences help foster an understanding of the value and impact of making as a tool for innovation, problem solving, and self-expression.

The Forge Facilitator is a member of the Education Team and works primarily within the Forge. This position is responsible for facilitating hands-on activities and learning experiences for individual guests, families, school groups, and other audiences during regular museum hours as well as special events.

Please note that this is a part-time position and hours will vary each week based on operations but no more than up to 29 hours a week on average with a maximum of 1500 hours in a 12-month period. No state benefits are provided. Interested candidates must apply at https://jobs.virginia.gov/

Minimum Qualifications

Desirable candidates should energetic, outgoing, and enthusiastic about working with diverse audiences of all ages. Candidates should possess strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, as well as experience in informal education settings such as museums, makerspaces, camps, libraries, or community programs. Experience developing and facilitating maker-centered projects independently and collaboratively is highly desirable. Candidates should have experience with interdisciplinary creative and technical projects involving skills such as sewing, woodworking, robotics, electronics assembly, weaving, embroidery, model fabrication, cardboard construction, ceramics, 3D modeling, and vector and raster graphics. A combination of educational, technical, creative, and facilitation experience is highly valued. Must be available to regularly work evenings, weekends and holidays.

Additional Considerations

Experience working with groups of children and the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team in a dynamic, cooperative environment. Candidates should have demonstrated familiarity with maker, fabrication, or shop environments and a commitment to learning and following safe operating procedures. Experience operating and maintaining equipment such as sewing machines, laser cutters, table saws, band saws, CNC machines, 3D printers, Cricut machines, ceramic wheels and kilns, drills, rotary tools, and other hand and power tools is a plus.

ASL or Spanish language competencies a plus.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The Science Museum of Virginia will accept ONLY online applications for all Science Museum employment opportunities. To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (RMS) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. If the position is an open until filled recruitment; the position will remain open for a minimum of 5 workdays or until the position is filled. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application; therefore, it is essential to provide detailed information. Submitting an application lacking in detail, may impact your interview eligibility. The RMS website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Please refer to your RMS account for the status of your application and this position. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date. Computers are available for applying for jobs in public libraries and the Virginia Employment Commission offices.

The Science Museum seeks motivated people of all backgrounds. We value diversity of cultures, races and ethnicities, gender expressions, and abilities. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer the Science Museum Welcomes Veterans to apply! We provide hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application or resume.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

The Science Museum will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: ‪804.372.3766‬

Email: hr@smv.org

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.