Already recognized as a leader in inquiry-based learning, Kentucky Science Center is advancing a statewide science literacy campaign to encourage people of all ages to explore science in everyday life. Its flagship location on Louisville, KY’s historic Museum Row, welcomes visitors from across the globe with 3-floors of interactive exhibits and films on a 4-story screen. With daily programming for children, families, and adults, the Science Center plays an ongoing role in the region as a resource for caregivers and teachers, a gathering place for the science community, and a chosen source of entertainment for all. Its designation as the State Science Center of Kentucky in 2002 underscored the Science Center’s history of reaching all audiences through its mission to DO SCIENCE in ways that are engaging, educational, and entertaining to inspire a lifetime of learning.

This role is a temporary, part-time position available between mid-November 2024 and early-March 2025.

Designed by Kentucky Science Center and coming soon to a library near you, Science in Play2Go is a state-of-the-art progressive exhibit with the express purpose of encouraging children to be discoverers of knowledge and champions of their own growth. Through play, this exhibit puts a strong emphasis on the act of scientific thinking rather than scientific content. 

Children have superpowers. They are experts at play. The successful Play Specialist will be somebody who loves to play and is excited about supporting and encouraging play in children. Play is at the heart of everything that children do, so it should also be at the heart of everything we do to support their learning and development. 

As the Play Specialist, you will be responsible for helping to get the library ready to receive Science in Play2Go, maintaining the exhibit, and implementing and facilitating programs for school groups, families, and teachers.

Areas of Concentration:

• 60% - Playing in Science in Play2Go with visiting children, families, and field trips
• 20% - Cleaning, restaging, and maintaining Science in Play2Go
• 10% - Reaching out to and scheduling potential field trips
• 5% - Administering surveys to visitors
• 5% - Communicating with the Manager of Early Childhood Education at the Flagship

The Play Specialist is responsible for:

• Creating a fun and welcoming environment for visitors to Science in Play2Go
• Working prior to the arrival of Science in Play2Go at the library to ready the community, library staff, and yourself.
• Helping to set up field trips, special programs and events around the Science in Play2Go experience.
• Keeping track of and communicating about the maintenance and materials needs of the exhibit.
• Presenting programs and activities associated with Science in Play2Go that accurately reflect the mission of the Kentucky Science Center and conform to strategic goals, objectives and outcomes.
• Assisting in the training and coaching of library staff and volunteers assigned to the exhibit.
• Communicate daily with the Manager of Early Childhood Education
• Encouraging visitors to complete evaluation forms regarding Science in Play2Go

The ideal candidate will:

• Enjoy playing and having fun.
• Enjoy working with children and their families.
• Be able to work comfortably with the public of all ages and backgrounds.
• Be organized, efficient, and adaptable; good critical eye for spotting small issues before they become problems.
• Have the ability to work proactively with little direct supervision.
• Appreciate working in a dynamic environment.
• Be excited about learning - both when it comes to themselves and others.

Physical requirements of the job:

The Play Specialist must be able to read and closely examine items and information. They will spend a considerable amount of time interacting with children, moving, picking items up off of the floor, stretching, and manipulating objects with fingers and hands. They must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Part-time, seasonal non-exempt position, working 25-30 hours per week.
• Starting at $16.00 per hour.
• Casual Dress Code.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to those who are able to perform the essential duties of this job.