Discovery Guide (Part-Time)

Description

Position Summary:

The Discovery Guide brings classroom visits to life at Imagine Children’s Museum and through outreach programming delivered at offsite school and community-based locations. This position guides playful, hands-on, experiential programs for children ages 2–12 in school and group settings. Rooted in choice wonder, and delight, this role helps young learners connect classroom concepts to real-world experiences through joyful, non-formal and informal learning. Discovery Guides create welcoming environments, spark curiosity, and ensure every group visit is filled with imagination, delight, and meaning.

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:

Program Delivery

• Deliver innovative and creative Museum programming by presenting learning experiences to schools, camps and other community groups at Imagine, in schools and other community venues.
• Coordinate curriculum delivery for an ongoing Education program, supporting a team of other Educators.
• Learn Imagine curriculum offerings and be comfortable with delivery of programming with thoughtful preparation or under quick timelines.
• Guide children through interactive activities that support creativity, critical thinking, and playful learning
• Tailor facilitation techniques to support different learning styles, developmental stages, and group sizes.

Learning & Play

• Encourage inquiry-based learning by asking open-ended questions and following children’s curiosity.
• Foster a sense of wonder and agency by inviting children to explore, imagine, and make choices in their learning.
• Promote inclusive practices that ensure all children feel welcomed, seen, and supported.

Program Support

• Prepare materials and learning spaces before each program and assist with clean-up and reset afterward.
• Maintain education equipment, curriculum boxes, inventories, and designated Museum spaces.
• Participate as a member of the Imagine team for the evaluation of the overall program experience.
• Help monitor logistics and transitions in partnership with department Manager, Coordinator, or Lead.
• Communicate clearly and kindly with group leaders, caregivers, and fellow staff.

Growth & Collaboration

• Participate in team trainings and meetings to deepen knowledge of museum facilitation practices.
• Provide informal support to peers and contribute ideas for improving the school and group learning experience.
• Model curiosity, flexibility, and joy in every interaction.

Requirements

Position Requirements:

• Facilitate engaging, hands-on learning programs for students ages 2–12 aligned with museum exhibits and educational standards.
• Communicate clearly and warmly with teachers, group leaders, and chaperones to ensure a positive visitor experience on and off site.
• Monitor group behavior and safety while modeling inclusive and respectful interactions.
• Gather feedback from visitors and staff to help assess and improve program quality.
• Help manage materials, classroom spaces, and learning supplies to ensure readiness and cleanliness.
• Work in a team environment with Imagine staff to ensure program success.
• Interest in and enthusiasm for working with both preschool and elementary audiences.
• Excellent classroom management skills.
• Voice projection, improvisational skills, and know-how to present information in an engaging and hands-on manner.
• Flexibility and adaptability when working in highly variable teaching environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with fellow educators around student learning goals lesson delivery.
• Demonstrated initiative, creative problem-solving and good organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Curiosity and love of learning new or unfamiliar topics.
• Ability to foster an environment where positive thinking and attitudes are valued and expected.
• Ability to work varying hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Passion for advancing diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion in education.
• Commitment to Imagine Children’s Museum Core Values.
• Must be able to complete basic first aid training. 
• Must have a reliable car, valid driver’s license, and clean driving record.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, child development, museum studies, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Experience working with children ages 2–12 in education, camps, childcare, or similar settings.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a love for playful, informal learning.
• Ability to work with diverse groups in a fast-paced, visitor-centered environment.
• Comfort speaking to groups and adapting to changing situations.
• Coursework or background in education, child development, or museum studies preferred.
• Familiarity with school environments or Washington State learning standards preferred.
• Bilingual or multilingual is a plus.

Supervisory Responsibility:

None

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in a typical interactive exhibit environment with moderate noise levels. 

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• High level of public contact. 
• Regularly required to stand and walk for long periods of time, climb ladders and stairs. 
• Occasionally lift and or move up to 30 pounds. 
• Speak and hear sufficiently to communicate clearly in person, over the telephone, and in small groups.
• Mental stamina for problem solving and dealing with stressful situations; prioritizing multiple tasks; interpreting and applying oral/written instructions. 
• Ability to bend, carry, reach to the side, front and overhead, push, pull, walk, stand, twist and squat, grab, squeeze are repetitive motions required of the position. 
• Occasionally exposed to outdoor elements including high and low temperatures, precipitation, and wind. 
• Regularly exposed to moderate noise in and around exhibits. 
• Occasionally exposed to small and/or enclosed spaces. 

This is a part-time position, onsite in Everett. The pay is $21.50 an hour, and approximately 15-25 hours per week. Candidates should be available for evenings and weekends as needed.

All part-time employees receive accrued sick time, anniversary appreciation day, free museum membership, discounts, and other museum perks!