Posit
Position Summary: Volunteers engage visitors to design and create projects in the Teen Tech Center (TTC). The TTC is a free multimedia and creative technology focused maker space specifically for ages 13-18. We provide space, materials, and support so teens can express themselves creatively and gain hands-on experience with high tech tools and programs. Successful volunteers will encourage youth to create through questions rather than lecture-style instruction, maintain a flexible outlook, and be ready to take on any challenge.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Encourage visitors to explore, collaborate, innovate, and create personal projects.
- Mentor teens by asking open-ended questions, co-investigating, and using other facilitation techniques to help promote exploration and innovation.
- Provide guidance if needed in the inspiration, resource gathering, and creation of daily projects and activities.
- Maintain the integrity and appearance of the space.
- Maintain a safe, secure, and inviting environment for visitors and staff.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Eager to facilitate visitor-led and visitor-centered experiences.
- Excited about teaching and learning through play and experimentation.
- Comfortable with open-ended problem solving.
- Desire to communicate accurate science and technology content in an engaging way with people of diverse backgrounds.
- Self-motivated with strong communication and interpersonal skills, comfortable with actively engaging with 13-18 year olds in a positive, consistent manner.
- Passionate about tinkering, building, and making things with others.
- Dependable and punctual; ability to adhere to a regular schedule preferred
- Commitment to safety and willingness to uphold OMSI rules and procedures.
Preferred Knowledge and Skills:
- Experience with creative technologies and tools, including: Adobe Creative Suite, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, AutoCAD, Scratch/Basic Programming and Coding, Virtual Reality, etc.
- Experience with arts/crafts including but not limited to: sewing, embroidery, knitting/crochet, drawing, painting, clay/armature, jewelry making, woodburning, etc.
Schedule and Support:
- Typical Schedule: The TTC is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm or 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
- Minimum hours: 8 hours a month. 4 hours every/other week
- Attend the following trainings or classes with OMSI:
- Volunteer Orientation
- Mandatory Reporter
- Area specific training
- Supervisor will provide ongoing training on Teen Tech Center equipment and software during the shifts.
Volunteer Benefits:
- Participation in an opportunity to provide input and feedback in the development of a new area of the museum.
- Training and a lifelong learning experience.
- Admission for the volunteer to the museum, theater and planetarium shows, and submarine tours.
- An OMSI Family Membership upon completion of 50 hours of volunteer service.
- Discounts in the OMSI Science Store and on-site restaurants.
- The opportunity to meet many new people and learn more about OMSI.