ABOUT THINKERY

Thinkery is where Austin’s children and their families come to enjoy play-based, inquiry-rich, hands-on learning experiences. We believe that innovative, play-based, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning experiences are a powerful way for children to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and curiosity about the world around them. Our exhibits and programs encourage children—alongside their caregivers—to solve creative challenges, explore a variety of materials, and to develop new ways to complete unfamiliar projects. Through these activities, children gain the tools and confidence to develop and grow into enthusiastic, creative, lifelong STEAM learners and thinkers.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Play & Learning Specialist (PLS) - Maker Learning is Thinkery’s champion of play-based STEAM learning! This dynamic, customer-facing role brings energy, curiosity, and joy to every guest interaction. PLSs facilitate hands-on learning experiences in museum galleries, the makerspace, and special programs—ensuring every visit is engaging, educational, and memorable. They model and mentor best practices in playful facilitation, helping to create an inclusive, welcoming environment where children and caregivers learn together. 

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Are you the kind of person who can turn a regular day into something special just by showing up? Do you thrive on bringing joy, curiosity, and energy to every interaction? Are you outgoing, positive, and excited to engage with people—whether it’s a toddler discovering something new, a caregiver looking for guidance, or a teammate who needs a high-five?

At Thinkery, we believe learning should be playful, hands-on, and fun—for kids, caregivers, and staff alike. We’re looking for a Play & Learning Specialist who: 

• Thrives in a busy, high-volume environment. Thinkery, as Austin’s premier children’s museum, we serve hundreds of children and families per day. 
• Has experience and expertise facilitating in maker-focused environments. An understanding of tools, materials and maker techniques are key! 
• Loves engaging with people and knows how to make every guest feel welcome. 
• Is naturally curious, energetic, and ready to dive into play—whether that means leading a STEAM activity, reading aloud with dramatic flair, or helping a child build their next big invention. 
• Is a positive, patient, problem-solver, able to think on their feet, turn challenges into learning moments is eager to offer ideas for improvements and self-aware enough to understand that in a small, but busy organization making changes takes time 
• Sees feedback as a gift, always looking for ways to grow and improve. 
• Works well on a team, collaborating across departments to make Thinkery the best it can be. 

If you’re looking for a job where you can move, play, learn, and make a real impact, this is the place for you. Let’s make something awesome together! 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Facilitate Play-Based STEAM Learning: Deliver daily interactive, engaging experiences based on Thinkery’s Learning Framework, including multiple types of engagement on a vibrant, busy museum floor. This requires regular, repetitive, positive, people-centric interactions with guests of all ages. 
• Create a Welcoming Environment: Proactively engage with children and their caregivers with enthusiasm and kindness, fostering belonging among guests, volunteers, partners, and staff. 
• Thrive on Feedback & Growth: Embrace and accept feedback as a tool for personal and professional growth, actively contributing to Thinkery’s culture of continuous improvement. 
• Support Museum Operations: Ensure museum spaces are clean, safe, inviting, and set for exploration. Assist with daily museum opening, closing, cleaning, exhibit resets, policy redirection, and guest interactions to ensure smooth daily operations.  
• Collaborate Across Teams: Work flexibly with all Thinkery teams to meet guest needs and the organization’s strategic priorities. 

COMPETENCIES

• Community Focus: Building strong community relationships and delivering community-centric solutions  
• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments. 
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives 
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. 
• Nimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES  

• Exceptional communication and collaboration. 
• Flexible thinking and ability to practice in the moment problem solving. 
• Ability to create, formulate and successfully implement playful, engaging, and innovative experiences for a variety of learning styles and ages.  
• Ability to quickly adapt existing activities and programs to serve changing audience needs.  
• Spanish language skills an asset. 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP 

• Reports to Play & Learning Team Manager 
• No direct supervision 
• Peer collaboration with Guest Service Specialists 

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION  

• 2+ years of equivalent experience working with children and families delivering content in informal learning settings, with at least one year focused in Maker-based environments. 
• 2+ years customer service experience working in a busy, loud, public-facing environment, i.e. museums, food service, retail, etc. 
• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred. 
• Schedule and availability reflect that the organization is a 7-day-a-week operation.  Staff are expected to work weekends and some holidays.  Periodic duties outside of/in excess of regular work week schedule during seasonal high-volume times. Typical schedule would be Tuesday-Saturday or Sunday-Thursday.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

This position is very active. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to: 

• Observe and react to the needs of guests, staff, volunteers, and community partners. 
• Move throughout the museum 
• Manipulate and move exhibit components weighing up to 25 pounds, including those that may be low to the ground or above eye level  
• Communicate and exchange accurate information with guests, staff, volunteers, and community partners 
• Detect and respond to safety hazards 
• Occasionally work in outdoor environments 

BENEFITS 

Thinkery offers competitive and affordable benefits for our full-time staff including options for 100% employer sponsored medical coverage. Our benefits package includes: 

• Medical insurance options including HSA, PPO Gold, and PPO Platinum plans  
• Affordable dental and vision
• 100% employer sponsored EAP, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance 
• 2 weeks of paid vacation, 12 days of paid sick leave, and 13 paid holidays each year 
• Paid Family Leave 
• Pet and child friendly offices 
• Membership to the museum and discounted rates to Little Thinker’s Preschool and Camps 

This job description should not be construed to imply these requirements are the only duties, responsibilities and qualifications for this job.? Incumbents may be required to follow any additional related instructions, acquire related job skills, and perform other related work as required.? This job description may be updated as needed.

Thinkery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above listed items.? All candidates offered a position will be required to submit to a background and reference checks.