Trainee Science Explainer

The Centre for Life is a pioneering science village in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne. Life is an independent and self-funding charitable trust. We receive no public funding.

Our mission is to ignite and nurture a curiosity in everyone for science, technology, engineering and maths and encourage the next generation of STEM professionals. We support world-class science in the region and make a positive economic, social and cultural contribution to North East England and its communities.

Life Science Centre, which opened in May 2000, is the only purpose-built Science Centre in the north, attracting over 200,000 visitors per year. Life's varied and eclectic public engagement programme attracts a broad audience including families, adults, pre-schoolers and teenagers. Life also has the biggest schools' science workshop programme in any European museum or Science Centre.

Trainee Science Explainer

Hourly rates of pay (dependent on NMW age band): -
New Starter: £6.94
Permanent: £8.28 after completion of training and 12 months continuous service.

Assisting in the promotion and enhancement of the Centre for Life, your role will be to make a visit to Life and learning about science, interesting, exciting, entertaining, engaging and fun.

You will deliver informal education to a wide range of audiences.

Your role will include teaching hands-on science workshops to school groups, delivering scripted science and planetarium shows to the general public and explaining the exhibition in terms of its context, how it works, its purpose, its place in history and current and future links to other exhibits.

You will also ensure that Health and Safety standards are met at all times.

The successful candidate will have at least a 2:1 degree or equivalent qualification in a STEM subject with a broad general STEM education at A level.

Hours will vary according to business demand.

Please note that successful applicants will be subject to a DBS check. Details of our DBS policy are available on request.

To apply for this vacancy, please send a letter of application and current CV to
Claire Adams, Corporate Services Director,
International Centre for Life Trust,
Management Suite,
Times Square,
Newcastle upon Tyne

or by email to claire.adams@life.org.uk by Monday, 25th January 2016.

The International Centre for Life is an equal opportunities employer and is accredited with the Equality Standard Gold Award.
Registered Charity Number: 1059607

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR LIFE
JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Science Explainer

The Centre for Life's mission is to inspire curiosity in science through an imaginative programme of exhibitions and events.

RELATIONSHIPS

1. Responsible to: Head of Operations, Science Centre

2. Important Internal Relationships: All those employed within the Centre, specifically the Head of Operations, Head of Education and Head of Public Engagement.

3. Important External Relationships: All visitors to the Centre, the local business community, organisations, suppliers and those employed at, or visiting the wider ICFL site.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The post holder will report to the Head of Operations but work in three teams to deliver all aspects of formal and informal science communication to the public, educational groups and wider audiences.

The work will include performance and teaching in the centre, in our suite of education labs and on outreach outside the centre.

The most important aspect of the job will be to make the Life experience exciting, entertaining, educational and fun.

KEY TASKS:

To enhance the visitor experience to the centre by:

i) Encouraging interaction with exhibits, staff and each other.

ii) Providing visitors with accurate and helpful information.

iii) Assisting visitors requiring assistance with a prompt, caring and helpful attitude.

To engage visitors by making learning about science exciting, entertaining, interesting and fun by:

i) Being knowledgeable about all aspects of the Life offer.

ii) Explaining the exhibits in context.

iii) Delivering science theatre, planetarium shows and other activities which are engaging and entertaining to a wide variety of audience.

iv) Delivering workshops to schools and other organized groups in Lifelab and other locations.

v) Delivering outreach into schools, at festivals and to the public, often in unexpected locations.

vi) Preparing and developing new activities and workshops for delivery as above.

vii) Participating in a continuing programme of education to stay up to date in a rapidly changing environment.

Ensure that Health and Safety standards are met by:

i) Contributing to a high standard of tidiness, cleanliness and organization throughout the centre and Lifelab.

ii) Promptly reporting exhibit malfunctions to the technical department.

iii) Directing visitor flow to maximize safety during busy times.

To undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the position as requested by management.

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR LIFE
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Science Explainer

The post holder will be appointed to train in the key tasks of the Science Explainer, with a view to the trainee becoming a Science Explainer after completing the company's training programme for the post.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

- Interested and enthusiastic about science and science communication

- Self motivated and enthusiastic

- Able to work on own and as part of a team

- Outgoing and resourceful

- Confident and approachable

- Well organised

- Smart appearance

- Calm under pressure

- Responsive to visitor needs

- Able to think analytically

- Good time management

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Essential

- Good knowledge of science in its broadest sense

- Good degree or other appropriate qualification in relevant STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subject

- Excellent communication of written and spoken English

- Basic IT skills

Desirable

- Foreign language skills

- Current driving licence

- Qualifications in First aid or Health and Safety

EXPERIENCE

Desirable

- Previous experience in a leisure or educational environment

- Working with the public, or with young people

- Experience of teaching or instructing

- Experience of performing; acting or musical

For progression to science explainer we expect our trainees to develop the following skills:

- Excellent presentation skills

- Clarity of explanation

- Ability to hold an audience's attention

- Ability to develop workshops and demonstrations

- Ability to respond appropriately to a wide variety of different groups

- An understanding of the operational needs of the organization