Port Discovery Children's Museum, one of the top Children's Museum in the United States and a top cultural institution in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, is seeking a full-time Exhibit Technician with a talent, interest and passion for museum exhibits. The Museum provides experiences that ignite imagination, inspire learning, and nurture growth through play.

General Summary of the Job:

The Exhibit Technician assists with the construction and routine maintenance of all museum exhibits, general repair of exhibit activities, components and areas and cosmetic repairs, control systems, plumbing and light electrical work of the facility and grounds. Must know and adhere to safety protocol in handling machinery, electrical equipment and power tools. Occasionally, the Exhibit Technician will need to drive the company van for repair or other related events. This position is categorized as "Essential Services" and must be available for on-site work in inclement weather.

This is a full-time position with a Sunday to Thursday schedule, but participation in special events, evenings, weekends, and holidays will be necessary.

The hourly pay rate for this position is $15 to $17, based on experience.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Maintain an exhibit maintenance program through regularly scheduled inspections and documentation for submittal to the Exhibits Manager and Exhibits Director.
• Participate in all phases of exhibit installation, including demolition of previous exhibit, site preparation and exhibit component installation.
• Maintain exhibit supply inventory.
• Mend costumes, fabric and soft play exhibit items.
• Prepare and maintain props as needed for exhibit activities.
• Produce working prototypes of exhibits and components for testing under the direction of the Exhibits Director.
• Perform basic general building and facilities maintenance including drywall work, painting, minor electrical, plumbing and carpentry as needed.
• Adhere to safety protocol at all times and encourage others to respect safety standards and precautions.

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of three years of experience in cabinet/casework production, carpentry, metal work, plastic forming and other related trades.
• A college degree in Fine Art or Arts is preferred. A combination of successfully completed post-high school education focused in Art or Education, and skill specific work experience may be provided to meet total minimum qualification requirements.
• Knowledge of exhibit fabrication and general building maintenance are required.
• Must be able to interpret shop drawings and produce sketches based upon design concepts.
• A very strong attention to detail is necessary and the ability to focus and complete projects in a cost effective and timely manner is essential.
• Must have a flexible work schedule and will be required to work weekends and evenings as needed.
• Must have skills to work independently, as well as part of a team.
• Must be able to comply with all museum policies, procedures and safety regulations as provided by the personnel handbook and additional safety measures specified by the Exhibit Director.
• Experience with microcontrollers such as Arduino, knowledge of programming languages including Java, particularly within the Processing environment are a plus.
• Ability to solder and build simple circuits for interactive exhibit elements are a plus.
• Knowledge and experience with sculpting and molding materials such as foam, resins, and silicones are a plus.
• Must be sensitive to the needs of young children and be flexible, patient and respectful when interacting with the public or other staff members.
• Qualities of being innovative and having a good sense of humor are essential.
• A valid driver's license is required.

Port Discovery provides you with the opportunity to make a difference in the community and in the lives of children. Additional benefits include:

• Free parking
• Free admission to the Museum for family
• Group medical, dental and / or vision insurance options
• Vacation, personal and sick leave
• Retirement savings with Museum match after 6 months
• Museum provided life and disability insurance, as well as EAP, travel assistance and grief counseling support.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 lbs; occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 lbs.
• Climbing and crawling through tight spaces.
• Use of ladders and lifts to high elevations.
• Use of machine tools with the need to protect against exposure to dust, chemicals and solvents.

Covid-19 Precautions:

• Proof of Covid-19 vaccination
• Virtual interview process
• Personal protective equipment provided or required
• Physical distancing guidelines in place
• Capacity levels set in exhibit spaces
• Sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place
• Daily health monitoring process

Send us your resume and cover letter, and let's start this journey together!

To learn more about Port Discovery Children's Museum, visit https://www.portdiscovery.org/. Port Discovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.