Position Summary:

The EcoTarium, A Museum of Science & Nature seeks an Exhibit Specialist to support the EcoTarium’s mission of inspiring a passion for science and nature through its interactive, engaging exhibits. The Exhibit Specialist will be responsible for maintaining safe and well managed exhibits, in a cost effective manner, through scheduled and routine maintenance and improvements to the Museum’s permanent exhibits as well as through installation and strike of temporary and traveling exhibits. The Specialist is responsible for inspecting, cleaning, maintaining and repairing indoor and outdoor exhibits, including close coordination with the Zoo department for repairs of live animal exhibits. The Exhibit Specialist will support the operating and maintaining state of the art digital projector and its related technical auxiliary systems, theater audio systems and other audio/visual support equipment for show presentations and other special Planetarium spaced events. This position will also serve as the technical liaison/service provider for internal and external high-profile projects, providing them with logistic support, expertise, and guidance, contributing to the successful operations of the theater and all events that take place within it. The Exhibit Specialist is part of the Exhibit team supporting the technical and maintenance needs of the exhibits, working as part of a committed department to ensure optimal functioning of the interactives and gallery experience for visitors, groups, and event guests.

Responsibilities:

● Make repairs and improvement to exhibits as needed to ensure maximum customer satisfaction, engagement and safety; work with manager on repairs that may need outside vendor coordination

● Conduct regular inspections and test exhibits inside and outside and add to the worklog to allow for shared decision making on priority of needed repairs.

● Upkeep and repair of electrical and mechanical equipment used in exhibits and programs

● Stock spare parts, purchase, replace, pick up needed supplies and manage inventory

● Maintain an organized stock system and storage

● Maintain exhibit repair documentation for ongoing reference; log all work completed

● Assist with installation, de-installation, packing and shipping of exhibits and events

● Interact with museum guests and guide them through museum exhibit use

● Cleaning of exhibits and display cases, inside and out as needed/scheduled.

● Upkeep and repair of electrical, mechanical, and computer equipment used in exhibits and programs, document existing systems, work with other Exhibits staff to develop consistent systems where possible, and document exceptions where the typical solution will not work.

● Prepare, test, and operate multimedia equipment for lectures, events, presentations, and other special activities occurring in the theater including troubleshooting as necessary without assistance.

● Assist with the technical support of in-house productions of educational and entertaining stage shows, presentations, theatrical productions, and other mission driven work.

● Maintain and understand the operations of the planetarium’s digital projection systems and its auxiliary support equipment including but not limited to touch screen controller panels, computer/keyboard interfaces, media servers, audio processors and amplifiers, lights and microphones.

● Work with other exhibits and museum staff to maintain and develop other presentation spaces in the museum, including projectors, sound and lighting control systems, and other infrastructure.

● Communicate to appropriate staff so that operating plans can be adjusted.

● Maintain working and public areas that are clear and safe for work, including keeping the planetarium, console, and, and all event spaces used for internal and external events, clean and organized.

● When working on the museum floor, understands the impact of their actions on visitor safety and ensures barricades are in place and/or makes components safe even if they cannot be immediately restored to normal operation.

● Maintain equipment inventory.

● Work with all members of the Exhibits staff to maintain, upgrade, and fabricate exhibits/exhibit parts through the use and implementation of carpentry, electronic, audio/visual/computer, mechanical skills.

● Responds to and addresses exhibit maintenance needs during occupied hours of operation

● Ensure proper daily start-up and shutdown of exhibits while conducting morning/evening rounds before/after opening, replaces consumable components, tidies exhibit interactives, and proactively tests all interactives to ensure they are ready for visitors. Make note of repairs needed rather than immediately getting tunnel vision on one repair. Repeat these rounds throughout the day as scheduled.

● Pro-Actively monitors, tests, and repairs exhibits on a constant and ongoing basis during operational hours and at after hour

● Maintain appropriate maintenance and operational data in logbooks.

● Communicate with staff, guests, and clients regarding Alden Planetarium and other Event activities.

● Implement emergency evacuation procedures when necessary as described within EcoTarium operating policies.

● Maintain a professional appearance and behavior in accordance with policies/guidelines.

● Work collaboratively with EcoTarium staff on museum-wide and cross-departmental initiatives.

● Participate actively in all-staff community meetings, daily huddles (when possible), and staff training.

● Contribute to a professional and motivational work environment by encouraging teamwork and providing positive reinforcement to team members when a job is well done.

Qualifications:

● A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

● College experience including multimedia and computer knowledge is desirable.

● Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and shift timeline and schedules accordingly

● Ability to use a variety of tools including hand and power tools

● Demonstrated experience with electrical, mechanical and technical repair

● Previous experience working in a theater independently operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting multimedia systems is highly preferred.

● A fascination and appreciation of working within a high-tech environment is also preferred.

● Strong comfort and demonstrated skills working with audiovisual equipment including but not limited to setting up microphones and other audio equipment, replacing projector bulbs, setting up/running/troubleshooting PowerPoint and multimedia presentations, connecting ancillary devices (such as gaming systems) to the projection equipment.

● Excellent interpersonal and communications skills (verbal and written), as well as the ability to work with the public which requires a high degree of patience and the ability to maintain a calm exterior during periods of high volume, high stress, or unusual events is required.

● Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external corporate clients, as well as all levels of management.

● Maintain consistent work attendance and punctuality.

● Ability to work weekends and some holidays. occasional early morning or evening hours as required.

● Flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, and evening hours.

Physical Requirements:

● Repetitive movement of hands and fingers – typing and/or writing.

● Occasional standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, or crouching and sitting for periods of time.

● Ability to do physical labor, including climbing a 10-foot ladder, lifting 50 lbs., reaching overhead, pushing and pulling objects and to work in cramped or awkward spaces, such as under and behind exhibits by crawling, or kneeling

● Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Non-Essential Functions:

● Serve on staff ad-hoc committees when needed

● Other duties as may be assigned

Disclaimer: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $22.67 per hour

Expected hours: 30 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Grade school specialties:

• Visual & Performing Arts

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evenings as needed
• Every weekend
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Worcester, MA 01604 (Required)

Work Location: In person