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Employment

The Science Center of Iowa engages and inspires Iowans along their journey of lifelong science learning.

Thank you for your interest in joining our dedicated, enthusiastic staff!

Use the filters below to view full-time, part-time, event, internship and preschool positions. Once you have identified a position to apply for:

For more information, contact scihr@sciowa.org.

Positions

  • Preschool Assistant Teacher

    Classification: Non-Exempt
    Department: Preschool
    Reports To: Director of Early Childhood

    Position Overview

    The Preschool Assistant is responsible for assisting with the implementation of the Science Center of Iowa Preschool program and other SCI early childhood programs. 

    Responsibilities

    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation, and perform other duties as assigned.

    • Greet all customers in a professional, friendly, and timely manner, including answering phones drop in visits and directing inquiries
    • Assist with maintaining SCI’s NAEYC accreditation standards including uploading digital files into the accreditation system
    • Teach and direct classroom activities when assigned
    • Prepare, clean and maintain classrooms and office space for daily use
    • Maintain appropriate levels of supplies and timely placement of orders
    • Basic office duties such as data entry and organize, file and maintain documents or records
    • Attend and assist with parent/preschooler special events during the school year
    • Manage and organize supplies and teaching materials
    • Follow all policies and procedures of the Science Center and the Preschool
    • Assist with oversight of children to ensure they are safe and engaged in the programming
    • Actively participate on various internal and/or cross-functional teams as needed in furtherance of SCI’s goals and objectives
    • Plan and carry out other EC programs and activities with in SCI as assigned
    • Please note this job description does not contain a comprehensive listing of all 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

    Supervisory Responsibility

    This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

    Education, Experience and/or Other Requirements

    Required

    • Maintain current First Aid, Universal Precautions, CPR, and Mandatory Reporter credentials
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
    • Has a passion and love for all young children and their families
    • Possesses character qualities such as patience, creativity, flexibility, joyfulness and endurance
    • Ability to work independently while also constructively contributing in a team environment
    • Trustworthy and of high integrity, showing high respect for confidential information
    • Pass a physical examination and TB test every 2 years
    • Successfully pass a background check and DCI fingerprinting

    Preferred

    • Clerical and office experience
    • Para associate I and II or CDA or AA in Early Childhood

    Physical Demands

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position is primarily focused on time with children and will require prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout the program space. The employee will also need to sit and stand on the floor throughout the day, and bend, kneel, stoop, crawl and crouch to be at eye level with children. The employee may be required to regularly lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

    Hours & Work Schedule

    Hours will vary based on business needs and may include days, evenings, weekends and holidays. Primarily Monday through Friday schedule. Typically, no travel will be required.

    To Apply

    Email your resume and completed application materials to scihr@sciowa.org.


  • Camp Behavior Specialist

    Classification: Non-Exempt
    Department: Seasonal – Guided Learning
    Reports To: Guided Learning Manager

    Position Overview

    The Camp Behavior Specialist position participates and is responsible for supporting the daily function of camps, supporting camp educators, and providing behavior support to campers and educators.

    Responsibilities

    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation, and perform other duties as assigned.

    • Create and implement activity-based curriculum to facilitate inquiry-based learning on a variety of science themes and concepts
    • Present, teach, and facilitate hands-on activities in a traditional classroom setting
    • Assist with the daily operations of camp, check-in, lunch, and behavior intervention
    • Develop and implement behavior management and time management skills in a classroom setting
    • Implement behavior management with campers that is respectful, effective, gentle, and documented
    • Prepare environmental and educational curriculum for extended care learning opportunities in non-traditional classroom settings with combined ages of youth
    • Meet with fellow Camp Educators, Americorps Ladders, and Camp Coordinator to review daily and weekly curriculum plans and ensure Camp and STEM goals are met
    • Communicate daily with parents and campers to ensure SCI's mission & program guidelines are being met
    • Please note this job description does not contain a comprehensive listing of all 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

    Supervisory Responsibility

    This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

    Education, Experience and/or Other Requirements

    Required

    • High School Diploma
    • General knowledge of, or interest in, science and education
    • Comfortable with public speaking to children, parents, mentors, and supervisors
    • Demonstrates excellent communication and problem-solving skills
    • Organized self-starter
    • Ability to work independently while also constructively contributing in a team environment
    • Trustworthy and of high integrity, showing high respect for confidential information
    • Valid Driver’s License; Ability to acquire a Noncommercial Chauffeur’s License (Class D- Endorsement 3 in Iowa)
    • Maintain CPR/First Aid Credentials
    • Successfully pass a background check

    Preferred

    • Previous management and/or camp experience
    • College coursework in Education
    • Significant previous experience working with youth and parents
    • Enthusiastic, energetic, hardworking, flexible, creative and timely

    Physical Demands

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position is primarily focused on time with children and will require prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout the program space. The employee will also need to sit and stand on the floor throughout the day, and bend, kneel, stoop, crawl and crouch to be at eye level with children. The employee may be required to regularly lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

    Hours & Work Schedule

    Hours will vary based on business needs and may include weekends, some evenings, and holidays. This position may have a varied daily schedule beginning in late May and will run through mid-August. Work hours will occur Monday through Friday up to 40 hours per week.  

    To Apply

    Email your resume and completed application materials to scihr@sciowa.org.


  • Camp Educator

    Classification: Non-Exempt
    Department: Seasonal – Guided Learning
    Reports To: Guided Learning Manager

    Position Overview

    The Camp Educator position is responsible for implementing camp curriculum with exciting, hands-on activities around selected science topics in a fun and safe learning environment.  A focus of this position will be providing daily supervision and mentoring of up to 25 children ranging from 4-14 years old.

    Responsibilities

    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation, and perform other duties as assigned.

    • Implement activity-based curriculum to facilitate inquiry based learning on a variety of science themes and concepts
    • Present, teach and facilitate hands-on activities in a classroom setting
    • Implement behavior management and time management skills in a classroom setting
    • Create a supply list and daily schedule
    • Follow the daily schedule in a timely manner
    • Prepare, clean and maintain classroom for daily use
    • Engages students and staff in a fun yet mature and professional manner
    • Please note this job description does not contain a comprehensive listing of all 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

    Supervisory Responsibility

    This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

    Education, Experience and/or Other Requirements

    Required

    • High School Diploma
    • College coursework in Education or Science related fields
    • General knowledge of, or interest in, science and education
    • Comfortable with public speaking to children, parents, mentors and supervisors
    • Demonstrates excellent communication and problem-solving skills
    • Organized self-starter
    • Ability to work independently while also constructively contributing in a team environment
    • Trustworthy and of high integrity, showing high respect for confidential information
    • Valid Driver’s License
    • Successfully pass a background check

    Preferred

    • Previous experience working with youth and parents
    • Enthusiastic, energetic, hardworking, flexible, creative and timely
    • Ability to acquire a Noncommercial Chauffeur’s License (Class D- Endorsement 3 in Iowa)

    Physical Demands

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position is primarily focused on time with children and will require prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout the program space. The employee will also need to sit and stand on the floor throughout the day, and bend, kneel, stoop, crawl and crouch to be at eye level with children. The employee may be required to regularly lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

    Hours & Work Schedule

    Hours will vary based on business needs and may include weekends, some evenings and holidays. Primarily a Monday through Friday schedule.

    To Apply

    Email your resume and completed application materials to scihr@sciowa.org.


  • Visitor Services Associate

    Classification: Part-Time, Non-Exempt
    Department: Visitor Services
    Reports To: Manager of Visitor Services

    Position Overview

    This Visitor Services Associate is a Part Time position responsible for assisting the Visitor Services team with customer service, sales, operations, and problem solving. The successful candidate will perform front line admissions and retail sales duties while engaging and supporting visitors to ensure outstanding customer experiences. This position supports visitor services in various operational areas of the Science Center of Iowa (SCI) including the visitor services desk and A-ha! Gift Store.

    Responsibilities

    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation, and perform other duties as assigned.

    • Greet all visitors in a professional, friendly, and timely manner, including answering phones and directing customer inquiries
    • Assist visitors with admission ticket sales, basic membership sales, Ah-ha! Store merchandise sales and answering questions and providing information about SCI
    • Must be knowledgeable and well prepared to offer and sell products, services and programs SCI offers
    • Responsible for ensuring complete follow-through for all stages of ticket and store sales
    • Keep accurate and detailed records of all incoming and outgoing calls and messages, and effectively communicating them to their applicable departments
    • Assist as needed in all areas including, but not limited to, Visitor Services Desk, A-ha! Gift Store and the SCI floor experience
    • Ensures accurate transactions by balancing cash register at the beginning and end of shift
    • Rings up merchandise and sales: bag, box and wrap purchased items
    • Stocks shelves, sets up displays and performs cleaning duties
    • Assists visitors in providing information, resolving complaints, locating various products
    • Processes returns and exchanges according to organization policy
    • Maintain and demonstrate an adequate working knowledge and use of all required SCI software and databases
    • Must uphold SCI’s values and commitment to excellence, diversity and inclusion
    • Please note this job description does not contain a comprehensive listing of all 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

    Supervisory Responsibility

    This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

    Education, Experience and/or Other Requirements

    Required

    • Must be dependable and have a history of reliable attendance
    • Effective problem solving skills and strong organizational skills
    • Must be able to multitask and work with great attention to detail
    • Ability to work independently while also constructively contributing to the team environment
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
    • Knowledge of and ability to use cash registers, computers, calculators and scanners
    • Basic mathematical skills, as needed to make change and process refunds
    • Must maintain a professional demeanor
    • Deliver superior customer service experiences that “WOW” and delight customers
    • Trustworthy and of high integrity, showing high respect for confidential information
    • Successfully pass a background check

    Preferred

    • Previous customer service experience
    • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

    Physical Demands

    While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The role is active and requires prolonged standing and walking, as well as bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing. This position also will also have periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. The employee must regularly lift and/or move items up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

    Hours & Work Schedule

    Hours will vary based on business needs and may include days, evenings, weekends and holidays. Ideal candidate will have Thursday-Sunday availability. Typically, no travel will be required.

    To Apply

    Email your resume and completed application materials to scihr@sciowa.org.


  • Programs Presenter

    Classification: Part Time, Non-Exempt
    Reports To: Programs Manager
    Department: Science Learning

    Position Overview

    The Program Presenter is responsible for delivering presentations of SCI programs for public and group participants. This may include both onsite and offsite delivery, throughout the week, weekend, holidays and evenings.   

    Responsibilities

    • Deliver a varied and changing repertoire of live programs and personal table top demonstrations, ranging from small to large format presentations
    • Report consistent program attendance records and monitor their impact in supporting SCI’s mission and existing exhibits
    • Function as a direct representative from the science learning team to the public.
    • Support exhibit staff; including but not limited to opening and closing of the experience platforms
    • Program Department daily operational support including, but not limited to conducting live programs and labs, orientations for visiting schools/groups including Outreach presentations
    • Provide support with other SCI staff on program and project development
    • Maintain individual training log on program presentations and demonstrations
    • Coordinate with the Programs Manager to keep schedules up-to-date
    • On-floor supervision of program supplies in experience platforms and work alongside volunteers
    • Responsible for daily programs operation trouble shooting
    • Support Visitor Services operations as needed
    • Additional duties as assigned

    Education, Experience and/or Other Requirements

    Required

    • Awareness and sensitivity in interacting with diverse populations
    • High School Diploma with an interest in the sciences, education, or theater
    • Ability to communicate complex science concepts in a fun and interesting fashion
    • Motivated and resourceful self-starter with effective multitasking skills
    • Excellent communication skills; engaging, entertaining and confident public speaker
    • Able to work as part of a creative team, being flexible, dependable and creative
    • Proactive; able to identify and improve product quality and development
    • Service oriented; upholds Science Center of Iowa values and integrity
    • Willing to travel if necessary for Outreach presentations

    Preferred

    • Experience in program presentation to small and large groups
    • Working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

    Physical Demands

    While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and hear or talk. The employee is frequently required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stop, kneel or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

    Working Hours

    This is a part-time position, not to exceed 29 hours per week. Hours will vary based on business needs and personal schedules. Work hours may include evenings, weekends and holidays.

    To Apply

    Email your resume and completed application materials to scihr@sciowa.org.


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