Play Facilitator

Position Title: Play Facilitator

Reports to: Guest Experience Manager

Classification

Type: Hourly, part-time, non-exempt

Schedule: less than 30 hours per week with the ability to adjust to a flexible work schedule including weekdays, weekends, evenings and some holidays

Reports to: Guest Experience Manager

Starting hourly wage: $12.00 per hour

Scott Family Amazeum Overview

The Scott Family Amazeum is a hands-on, interactive museum in Northwest Arkansas and recognized as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. We create a fun environment where risk taking, imagining, problem solving, discovery, collaboration, and exploration bring children and adults together to learn and grow.

Core Purpose: The Amazeum exists to spark and nurture the curious and creative spirit in all of us.

Through experiences with the Amazeum, individuals and the community are engaged in building relationships and developing identities as creative, curious, and innovative shapers for the region. Learning at the Amazeum is an active, playful exploration that inspires curiosity. It is rooted in inquiry-based discovery and involves an element of risk. Hands-on learning opportunities allow guests to exercise critical thinking in the context of play.

The Amazeum facility includes approximately 50,000 square feet of indoor space and one acre of outdoor exhibition and activity space. The museum is located at the intersection of Museum Way and J Street in Bentonville, AR.

Position Summary

Play Facilitators are at the heart of the Amazeum experience, transforming everyday moments into opportunities for curiosity, creativity, and discovery. Through playful, inquiry-driven interactions, they engage guests of all ages in meaningful learning experiences that extend thinking, invite exploration, and build connections.

Play Facilitators take ownership of the guest experience. They recognize and act on opportunities to deepen engagement, adapt their facilitation to meet diverse learners, and help shape an environment where learning is active, playful, and continuous. They utilize play-based and inquiry-based facilitation strategies in order to elevate the guest experiences across the museum.

Essential Functions

Guest Engagement & Facilitation

• Consistently initiates and deepens meaningful, play-based interactions that spark guest curiosity and exploration
• Uses open-ended questioning and responsive facilitation to extend guest thinking and learning
• Adapts facilitation strategies in real time to meet diverse development levels and learning styles
• Creates an inviting presence that ensures guests feel welcomed, supported, and engaged throughout their experiences
• Recognizes and seizes in-the-moment opportunities to enrich the guest engagement
• Confidently facilitates guest engagement within exhibit spaces with clarity, energy, and purpose
• Connects activities to broader STEAM concepts in developmentally appropriate ways
• Maintains strong working knowledge of exhibits, experiences and STEAM content
• Supports the delivery of onsite programs, events, and occasional offsite experiences with professionalism and adaptability

Environment & Safety Ownership

• Ensures environments are in a consistent “play-ready” state by proactively resetting, organizing, cleaning and restoring materials
• Ensures guest safety through active supervision, clear boundaries, and timely intervention when needed
• Identifies, communicates, and responds to maintenance and safety concerns quickly and effectively by following approved protocols
• Actively invites guests in caring for and resetting exhibits and materials to collaboratively ensure spaces are accessible and functional for all guests.

Continuous Learning Mindset

• Actively participates in training, coaching, and feedback opportunities
• Seeks out new strategies, content knowledge, and approaches to improve guest engagement
• Reflects on experiences and applies learning to future interactions
• Shares observations and ideas that help improve guest experience and team practice

Professionalism & Amazeum Culture

• Communicates clearly and proactively with team members and leadership
• Contributes to a culture of accountability, ownership, and trust
• Demonstrates curiosity, creativity, and commitment to lifelong learning
• Maintains a positive, playful and professional presence with guests and with team members
• Balances flexibility and responsibility in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
• Communicates respectfully and effectively with diverse audiences
• Represents the Amazeum mission and guiding principles in all interactions

General Duties

The responsibilities listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The Amazeum reserves the right to revise or change position duties and responsibilities as necessary to accommodate changing organizational needs.

Minimum Requirements:

• 16 year of age at time on hire
• Completed or working towards a high school diploma or equivalent.
• 1 year experience working with children (such as babysitting, youth groups, children' s church groups, etc.)
• Demonstrated success in guest engagement/customer service
• Strong verbal communication skills with emphasis on interacting with diverse audiences of all ages in an engaging and compelling fashion
• Able to problem solve effectively under pressure
• Proven ability to work independently as well as within a team environment
• Must have reliable transportation to commute to and from various offsite locations

All applicants must be able to:

• Provide the necessary documentation to prove that you are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or a foreign national with authorization to work in the United States
• Complete and pass a background check

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to remain active for extended periods, including standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, and moving quickly throughout exhibit spaces
• Ability to actively engage with children and families at floor level, including sitting, kneeling, and transitioning between positions frequently
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials up to 20 pounds regularly and up to 40 pounds occasionally
• Ability to reach overhead and below waist level to set up, reset, and maintain exhibits and materials
• Ability to work in a high-energy, fast-paced environment with frequent movement and constant interaction
• Ability to work in environments with moderate to high noise levels and visual stimulation
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a dynamic environment, including projecting voice when needed
• Comfortable working in environments that may include water, outdoor weather conditions, or hands-on/messy materials

Preferred Skills:

• Working towards BS/BA/AA in Education, Play Therapy, Science, Art, Theater, Museum Studies, or related field
• Bilingual skills
• Basic understanding of inquiry-based or play facilitation
• Basic understanding of developmental levels and different learning styles
• Capacity to be spontaneous and interact positively with guests
• Ability to demonstrate curiosity and passion for learning
• Ability to balance shifting priorities in a dynamic, fast paced, and ever-changing environment
• Comfortable being silly and playful while also being respectful in speech, actions, and demeanor.

How to apply: Submit your completed Amazeum application, resume and cover letter via the Amazeum Career Porta