Museum Hue
Spark!Lab Facilitator
Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
This position is located in the Lemelson Center, Division of Public History, National Museum of American History (NMAH), Smithsonian Institution (SI). The Lemelson Center’s mission is to promote public understanding of the history and role of invention and innovation in society.
The Lemelson Center’s Spark!Lab, located at NMAH, is a hands‑on invention learning space that provides museum visitors, particularly children and their families, the opportunity to engage in the invention process through history, engineering, science, and creative activities.
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an invention education facilitator in the Lemelson Center’s Spark!Lab, supporting operations of an invention education interactive exhibit and supporting children and adults in hands‑on activities with inquiry‑based facilitation.
In this position, the Spark!Lab Facilitator:
Supports meaningful engagement with the invention process through hands‑on activities based in inquiry, creatively inspiring children and families to identify problems, imagine solutions, create prototypes, and test ideas in order to practice skills such as collaboration, perseverance, and curiosity.
Ensures a positive visitor experience by greeting visitors, engaging visitors through conversation, inquiry and experimentation appropriate to age level and interest.
Supports the opening, operation, and closing of Spark!Lab and performs routine maintenance such as replenishing supplies, keeping equipment cleaned, and monitoring Spark!Lab for safety and accessibility.
Recommends and makes basic changes to activity materials or signage, suggests topics for new activities related to museum priorities and incorporates volunteer suggestions.
Develops recommendations to improve visitor experience and invention education resources, such as developing posters highlighting museum objects or inventors connected to other exhibits.
The best qualified candidates will have skill in facilitating pre‑designed learning activities, knowledge of group management and instructional support techniques, and the ability to communicate orally with audiences of up to 30 about select topics in invention, history, and science in an informal setting.
This is a part‑time, 2‑year temporary Trust (non‑Federal) position at pay grade IS‑04 with promotion potential to IS‑05. Regular schedule is 21 hours/week, 3 days/week to include one weekend day. The starting salary is $19.76 hourly with excellent benefits.
To Be Considered Please submit your résumé and cover letter that describes how your skill set and background aligns with the requirements and opportunities of the position via the link below.
Applications must be received by January 5, 2026. For more information and to apply, visit this link: https://trustcareers.si.edu/postings/5ee34a63-b9d5-4495-9c39-d9b24b9c5c71.
If you have further questions, please send your inquiries to: NMAHApplications@si.edu.
The Smithsonian Istitution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact the Human Resources Specialist listed. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds supports and enhances our daily work life and contributes to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. For more information on the Smithsonian EEO program please see www.si.edu/oeema.
Conditions of Employment
Pass a pre‑employment background investigation.
Direct deposit/electronic funds transfer is required for salary payment.
The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. is not required to apply.
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This position is located in the Lemelson Center, Division of Public History, National Museum of American History (NMAH), Smithsonian Institution (SI). The Lemelson Center’s mission is to promote public understanding of the history and role of invention and innovation in society.
The Lemelson Center’s Spark!Lab, located at NMAH, is a hands‑on invention learning space that provides museum visitors, particularly children and their families, the opportunity to engage in the invention process through history, engineering, science, and creative activities.
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an invention education facilitator in the Lemelson Center’s Spark!Lab, supporting operations of an invention education interactive exhibit and supporting children and adults in hands‑on activities with inquiry‑based facilitation.
In this position, the Spark!Lab Facilitator:
Supports meaningful engagement with the invention process through hands‑on activities based in inquiry, creatively inspiring children and families to identify problems, imagine solutions, create prototypes, and test ideas in order to practice skills such as collaboration, perseverance, and curiosity.
Ensures a positive visitor experience by greeting visitors, engaging visitors through conversation, inquiry and experimentation appropriate to age level and interest.
Supports the opening, operation, and closing of Spark!Lab and performs routine maintenance such as replenishing supplies, keeping equipment cleaned, and monitoring Spark!Lab for safety and accessibility.
Recommends and makes basic changes to activity materials or signage, suggests topics for new activities related to museum priorities and incorporates volunteer suggestions.
Develops recommendations to improve visitor experience and invention education resources, such as developing posters highlighting museum objects or inventors connected to other exhibits.
The best qualified candidates will have skill in facilitating pre‑designed learning activities, knowledge of group management and instructional support techniques, and the ability to communicate orally with audiences of up to 30 about select topics in invention, history, and science in an informal setting.
This is a part‑time, 2‑year temporary Trust (non‑Federal) position at pay grade IS‑04 with promotion potential to IS‑05. Regular schedule is 21 hours/week, 3 days/week to include one weekend day. The starting salary is $19.76 hourly with excellent benefits.
To Be Considered Please submit your résumé and cover letter that describes how your skill set and background aligns with the requirements and opportunities of the position via the link below.
Applications must be received by January 5, 2026. For more information and to apply, visit this link: https://trustcareers.si.edu/postings/5ee34a63-b9d5-4495-9c39-d9b24b9c5c71.
If you have further questions, please send your inquiries to: NMAHApplications@si.edu.
The Smithsonian Istitution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact the Human Resources Specialist listed. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds supports and enhances our daily work life and contributes to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. For more information on the Smithsonian EEO program please see www.si.edu/oeema.
Conditions of Employment
Pass a pre‑employment background investigation.
Direct deposit/electronic funds transfer is required for salary payment.
The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. is not required to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr