Located on Olympia’s East Bay waterfront, the Hands On Children’s Museum is an award-winning cultural institution and popular early learning destination for families throughout the Northwest and the nation. As a national Museum for All, Hands On served 325,000 annual visitors pre-pandemic, with more than one-third served through a variety of free and low-cost Access programs.

Join the creative & talented Education Team at the Hands On Children’s Museum. 20+ hrs/week flexible schedule. Some weekend hours required. The Visitor Engagement (VE) Lead provides staff supervision and daily operations support in the museum art studio, MakeSpace, Science Table, Naturalist Cabin, and Children’s Garden. This position requires a mission focused person who prioritizes education and engaging with kids and families. Must be outgoing, organized, and task oriented. Interest in the arts, science and tinkering essential. Previous experience with children preferred. Specialized experience with silk screening, animation, nature/garden programs, technology/tools/basic engineering, or general classroom experience a plus.

Specific Job Duties

• Ensures all visitors have an excellent experience in the art studio.
• Supports museum education programs occurring each day as assigned, including MakeSpace, Onsite Activities, and Nature Play.
• Ensures proper child safety practices are used with educational tools and equipment in VE led programs.
• Assists in opening and closing of the art studio, and maintaining the cleanliness, organization, supplies, functionality and safety of the art studio, VE storage areas and VE supported exhibits.
• Processes donated materials for the art studio.
• Preps materials for future activities.
• Participation in special museum events, special projects and in department and staff meetings is required.

• Position actively engages with the public.
• Excellent customer service skills. Must be outgoing, organized, and task oriented.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High School diploma; some college or relevant life experience a plus.
• Must be able to manage time, problem solve, and think dynamically.
• Interest in education, the arts, science, and tinkering essential.
• Able to work independently with limited direction in a fast-paced environment with a great deal of flexibility.
• Ability to work in a team setting with a high degree of daily communication required. Must care about and value the viewpoints of the other team members and organizational mission.
• Fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and must provide proof of vaccination upon hire.
• Must be able to lift 50lbs and be able to be on feet for most of the workday.

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities preferred:

• Experience in providing educational programming for children, including craft make & take activities, science explorations, and garden/planting activities.
• Proficiency with silk screening or other arts, animation/cartooning, nature/garden programs, technology/electronic media, tools/basic engineering a plus.

Workplace Values

Achieving our mission requires great people who actively demonstrate our core values.

When applying, please submit a cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references.

Compensation & Benefits: As a leading non-profit, we offer competitive compensation, medical, dental and vision coverage, an Employee Assistance Plan, paid time off, paid holidays, a 401(k)-retirement plan, and special perks including museum passes and membership, discounts on preschool, camps, in the Museum Store and Café, and paid parking. Benefits vary by number of regularly scheduled hours worked, length of employment, and employment status. See benefit details for this position here.

The Hands On Children’s Museum exhibits, education programs, and employment are available to all without discrimination.