Exhibits Technician (Arts and Science Professional II - H)

Job Description:

Exhibits Technician (Arts and Science Professional II - H)

Description

Description

Join our team and play a key role in fostering community engagement while enriching the lives of families in our community!

The City’s Community Services Department is seeking a part-time Exhibits Technician (Arts & Science Professional II - H) to help build and maintain hands-on exhibits at the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo. The Junior Museum and Zoo is a local family destination that serves children, birth to age 8, through its science exhibits and zoo, and children to age 11 through its school programs and summer camps. Approximately 117,000 visitors enjoy the Museum and Zoo each year and 23,000 take part in its science lessons and field trips at the Museum, in local schools, and in local open spaces. The Junior Museum’s mission is to engage a child’s curiosity in science and nature.

The Exhibits Technician will be responsible for maintaining and improving existing hands-on exhibits. Additionally, they will assist in the construction of new exhibits, from initial prototypes to completed installations. This position requires both teamwork and the ability to work independently. For maintenance tasks, the technician must be able to develop creative, effective solutions to persistent exhibit challenges. For exhibit fabrication, the ability to work from schematics, sketches, or verbal descriptions is essential. If the individual has design skills, exhibit design tasks may also be assigned. A willingness to work creatively within project constraints is essential.

• This is a part-time position, requiring 19 hours per week, and reports to the Exhibits Director.
  

This is an SEIU Hourly (limited benefits) position that is budgeted to not exceed 1,000 hours per fiscal year.

(In lieu of providing a medical plan, the City grants a medical stipend of $3.80 per hour in paid status)

Essential Duties

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include but are not limited to following, depending on assigned operations and functional areas:

• Inspect and Repair Exhibits: Perform weekly inspections and necessary repairs.
• Procure Materials: Purchase and maintain stock of required parts and consumables.
• Minimize Downtime: Contribute to systems that reduce exhibit downtime.
• Ongoing Maintenance: Oversee regular exhibit upkeep.
• Collaborate on Design: Provide functional input on exhibit designs.
• Build Mechanical Interactives: Design and build interactives as specified by the Exhibits Director.
• Source Materials and Vendors: Procure parts, materials, and manage vendor relationships.
• Enhance Exhibit Functionality: Implement improvements to optimize exhibit performance.
• Manage Budgets and Timelines: Ensure projects stay on schedule and within budget.
• Maintain Workshop Equipment: Assist in the upkeep of tools and equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience, in science, art/design, museum studies, architecture, engineering, or related fields;
• At least one year experience repairing, building, and/or designing exhibits for museums, zoos, or a similar profession such as carpentry or construction.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in CAD or production drawing software with additional design skills considered a plus.

For job description, click Here .

Supplemental Information

Application Process:

• Complete an online application with cover letter and resume attached.

The Selection Process:

• Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email (governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates).
• Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time.
• The screening process for this position typically may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
• During the interview process, candidates will be asked to provide at least 6 photos of things they have built.

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

City of Palo Alto offers the following benefits to those in a SEIU Hourly position:

Medical Stipend
$3.80 effectivethe pay period including July 1, 2024.

Sick Leave
Earn .03 hour of sick leave for each hour worked.

Retirement
City of Palo Alto PST (Part-time, Seasonal & Temporary Employees) Retirement Plan

Please note: The City does not participate in CA State Disability Insurance (SDI) or Social Security.

Closing Date/Time: 1/31/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$32.58 - $39.99 Hourly