Federal Government Computer Science Jobs in Arizona

Job Title: Science Communicator, Makerspace

Organization: Arizona Science Center

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Position Type: Part-Time (Weekends and Evenings required)

Reports To: Sr. Scientist, Computer Science and Technology

Job Description:

As a Makerspace Science Communicator, you will play a crucial role in enhancing the guest experience by providing engaging and relevant science experiences to visitors of all ages in our Makerspace. Reporting directly to the Senior Scientist of Computer Science and Technology, this position supports the CREATE makerspace by fabricating educational materials, facilitating engaging hands-on STEM experiences, and ensuring safety workshops, field trips, Skill Studios, homeschool programs, special events, and other educational offerings are delivered safely, efficiently, and with exceptional guest experiences.  You will be responsible for the training and utilization of equipment including but not limited to large-format laser cutters, 3D Printers, CAD design software, power tools, and more. Your proficiency in a variety of equipment, hardware, and CAD/CAM software will be essential in executing diverse fabrication and facilitation tasks.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Visitor Experience & Educational Facilitation

• Facilitate Skill Studios, workshops, field trips, homeschool programs, large programming, and other educational offerings.
• Adapt facilitation techniques to support diverse learning styles and abilities while adapting instruction to meet participant needs.
• Foster an inclusive, welcoming environment that encourages creativity, experimentation, and problem-solving.
• Deliver excellent customer service while representing Arizona Science Center and CREATE makerspace.

Program Preparation

• Fabricate educational materials, prototypes, kits, and activity components using makerspace tools and technologies.
• Prepare materials and equipment for daily programming, one-time and recurring workshops, and special events.
• Assist with developing and improving projects, activities, and educational experiences.
• Support fabrication for exhibits, demonstrations, and seasonal programming as approved by Senior Scientists.

Resource Management

• Organize, inventory, fabricate, maintain, and restock materials and consumable supplies.
• Ensure program setup, breakdown, and transportation of equipment and materials for CREATE programming.

Makerspace Operations and Collaboration

• Maintain organized workspaces that support efficient fabrication and safe operation.
• Follow all makerspace safety procedures and operational standards.
• Collaborate with makerspace staff and volunteers to develop, test, refine, and document educational programming.
• Contribute ideas for new workshops, activities, and maker experiences.
• Adapt to changing priorities, schedules, and programming needs.
• Represent CREATE professionally while promoting Arizona Science Center's mission.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Arizona Science Center maintains a strong policy of equal employment opportunity for all Employees and applicants.  We recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and dismiss Employees on the basis of such factors as experience, character, ability and skill, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or heritage, age, marital or veteran status, disability, citizenship, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

ACCOMODATIONS:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to be relied upon to be on time.
• Ability to work individually and in a team.
• Ability to present effectively with diverse audiences.
• Ability to engage the audience in higher-level thinking through inquiry-based questioning and discussion.
• Ability to adjust quickly to changing priorities or organizational needs.
• Experience engaging people in interactive, hands-on, engaging learning experiences.
• Ability to work weekends, particularly Saturdays, and evenings.

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Two year degree preferred and/or equivalent of at least 2 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with physical makerspace equipment including but not limited to: CO2 laser, 3D Printer, woodshop tools, sewing machines, etc
• Proficient in Google Suite skills, including Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Slides.
• Interest in making and engineering

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Ability to read, write, and converse in Spanish, Navajo, or Dine preferred.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS 

Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions in practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY 

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

An employee must meet the physical demands described here to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand.  The employee must frequently lift or move up to 30 pounds.  Occasionally, employees must lift up 65 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

This job also requires a computer, which will be placed somewhere in the employee's workspace.  The employee must have the necessary keyboard and computer mouse skills and the ability to read a color monitor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

BENEFITS Include, but are not limited to:

• Sick time
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Family membership to Arizona Science Center and 600+ Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
• Admission Exchange Program - Year-round complimentary admission for the employee and one guest to visit the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Arizona Museum of Natural History, etc.