Exhibit Technician, spectrUM Discovery/NSF Epscor

Description

Campus-Only Recruitment

Only current UM Employees* are eligible.

*Open to all employee types including Temporary Staff and Student Employees.

This position will help to repair and troubleshoot exhibits located within our museum at the Missoula Public Library, as well as in satellite locations where exhibits are temporarily installed. In addition to maintenance, light fabrication and mechanical triage duties, this staff member will fulfill spectrUM’s presence in the Missoula Public Library Makerspace, a collaborative space between spectrUM and MPL that assists visitors with personal projects leveraging a wide variety of tools and technology.

Working Conditions: This position will vary in location between the library museum (Discovery Area), MPL workshop, Makerspace and occasional offsite work. Applicant must be able to front carry 50 pounds for 10 feet, assist in moving exhibits weighing over 300 pounds on wheels, and able to stoop, stand and crouch, as well as balance when climbing and working on a ladder.

This position will be 0.75 FTE with varying hours week-to-week. The schedule for this position will be variable depending on exhibit installation and maintenance needs, with some hours outside of regular operational hours to minimize disruption to patrons. The general schedule will be up to 40 hours per week Monday-Friday, with travel to offsite outreach events or locations for exhibit installations as required on occasional weekends or evenings. Shifts of up to 12 hours will occasionally be required for lengthy installations and events related to exhibit launches.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Exhibits and Installations:

• Perform weekly maintenance tasks on exhibits such as our Watershed Experience and rotating exhibitions that are installed on the museum floor
• Identify and perform preventative maintenance on exhibits on a regular basis
• Work with museum directors on exhibit development tasks for upcoming exhibitions and traveling science programs
• Assist whenever possible with technical and mechanical issues in the case of exhibit breakdown or failure
• Assist during walk-in hours at the Missoula Public Library Makerspace, working with patrons to complete projects using the available technology in the space
• Assist with exhibit installations ranging from several hours to those that take place over the course of several days
• Employ and promote good behavior, best practices, and safety for children interacting with exhibits, activities, and special demonstrations
• Represent spectrUM and the University of Montana in an appropriate, professional and positive manner
• Maintain a safe and secure environment for guests and staff
• Safely operate basic hand tools and power tools
• Maintain integrity and appearance of spectrUM exhibits and activities
• Generate new exhibit prototypes and interpretive designs
• Document exhibit designs, layouts, and interpretive decisions for future alteration and iteration

Collaborations and Informal Education

• Collaborate with partners in the All Under One Roof museum/library complex to ensure shared spaces such as the workshop, storage areas and shared exhibit spaces are appropriately cleaned and utilized in a respectful manner
• Collaborate with Missoula Public Library Facilities and IT staff to ensure exhibits and installations meet building policies
• Serve as a traveling science educator for spectrUM’s traveling programs such as Science on Wheels, Summer of Science, Science Bytes, Pow Wows and others.
• Assist in the delivery of summer camp, field trip and special programs curriculum where applicable for the incumbent’s expertise and knowledge.

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong communication skills with children and adults
• Customer service skills and general approachability when working with members of the general public in an educational setting
• Knowledge of a wide variety of fabrication and rapid prototyping techniques (3D printing, laser-cutting, microprocessors such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi) or willingness to learn these platforms quickly
• Knowledge of a wide variety of hand tools and their proper safe use
• General knowledge of a wide variety of mechanical trades (plumbing, carpentry, metal and wood fabrication techniques, mains and low-volt electrical) or willingness to learn these quickly
• Ability to propose and implement creative solutions to mechanical problems
• Ability to execute a physical design from basic drawings and discussions
• Ability to respect the learner and their choice to visit spectrUM and the Missoula Public Library
• Ability to inspire fun and passion in others
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and assist in moving exhibits weighing up to 300 pounds in out and out of Uhauls

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree
• Previous experience in retail or the trades/fabrication
• An interest in sharing knowledge and expertise with the general public, especially as it relates to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM)
• Previous experience with science museum exhibit fabrication and design
• Previous experience with informal STEAM education

Additional Information

Position Number: 297170

Work Schedule: Full-time, 0.75 FTE (30 Hours a week), Monday through Friday

Probationary Period: Six (6) months minimum

Salary: $17.79/hr - Current employee’s rate of pay for this position will be determined by the staff compensation plan and will minimally be this posted salary. For questions and details regarding the staff compensation plan, email the Compensation Department .

Benefits Include : Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Screening of applications will begin after the closing date however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

A complete application includes:

Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.

Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience

Three (3) Professional References – names and contact information