Exhibit Technician

About KID Museum

KID Museum is the nation’s leading educational makerspace for youth. Our mission is to revolutionize how kids learn through the maker experience. Through hands-on programming and deep learning experiences, we empower youth with the creative problem-solving and STEM skills to invent the future. With a focus on engaging populations traditionally underrepresented in STEM, our programs aim to build economic opportunity and diversify the future talent pipeline.

Our vision is to become the standard of excellence for inclusive, impactful maker learning nationally, and a model for how to expand access to maker learning at scale. Our headquarters in the Washington, DC region serves as our innovation hub. In partnership with local school systems, government and philanthropic leaders, we design and deliver K-12 programs that produce results at scale in a large and diverse metropolitan region. We leverage the learnings from this learning lab to create resources, training, and technical support to expand high-impact maker learning nationally. For more information, please visit www.kid-museum.org.

Position Overview

KID Museum is seeking an Exhibit Technician for a 6 to 12 month assignment to focus their energy in three primary categories: management and fabrication of CAD/CAM equipment and materials; maintenance and upgrades of existing exhibits; and support with designing and building new interactive exhibits. The ideal candidate will be a lifelong learner with confident shop tool and machinery skills as well as the ability to research, identify, and procure parts and supplies. This position works closely with the Exhibit Development Manager, the Managing Director of Programs, Maker Educators, Program Managers, and the Education Leadership Team to support the design, fabrication, testing, and refinement of interactive exhibits and installations. The ideal candidate must be a resourceful and excited creator with the ability to analyze and troubleshoot. They will be eager to learn new things and generate solutions with resourcefulness and be a team player who asks for help and offers help generously. Able to work 1-2 Sundays a month to provide exhibit support. This is a part-time, hourly role, working up to 28 hours per week.

Essential Job Functions

• Build and maintain exhibits and installations, ensuring high-quality visitor experiences through thoughtful design and craftsmanship. Exhibit maintenance includes daily rounds/checking of physical condition of exhibits.
• Operate and maintain CAD and CAM equipment.
• Repair, upgrade, and remix existing exhibits to keep installations safe, engaging, and impactful for visitors.
• Collaborate on ideation, design, prototyping, and fabricating new exhibits to deliver fresh and enjoyable experiences for visitors.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and functional exhibit shop space that is safe, inviting, and inspiring for all users.
• Master all exhibit shop tools to ensure effective use in fabrication and to support training efforts when needed.
• Successfully complete other duties as assigned to support the exhibit team.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated safe habits and practices in shared shop environments, including the use of tools, equipment, materials, and workspace.
• Experience with CAD and CAM processes, including the ability to learn new design software as needed.
• Strong organizational skills for stocking and maintaining materials, tools, and parts in intuitive systems.
• Ability to discern the appropriate level of precision for a project, from quick prototyping to detailed, exact work.
• Capable of lifting up to 50 lbs. and performing physical tasks required in a fabrication shop.
• Confident in woodshop basics and able to create quick prototypes.
• Skilled at identifying potential failure points and proactively building for durability and serviceability.
• Self-motivated and forward-thinking, with the ability to work independently.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate and interact with the public, staff, vendors, and contractors.

The candidate must be able to perform the above tasks independently, accurately, reliably, and in a timely manner. Compensation will be commensurate with experience. For consideration please click the 'apply' link.

Diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion are important, interdependent components of everyday life at KID Museum and are critical to our pursuit of excellence. KID Museum is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment or contractor based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sex, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, or military status.