About Spark
TELUS Spark Science Centre (Spark), a registered educational charity, exists to entertain and inspire people of all ages through creative encounters with science, engineering, technology, math and art. Spark exists to lift people up with the power of curiosity through creative encounters with science!
Calgary’s science centre is a pioneer in science entertainment and programming, with roots dating back to 1967. Home to one of Western Canada’s largest dome theatre, the Digital Immersion Gallery, VR experiences, and innovative spaces like Steven’s Lab, where interactive experiments unfold before your eyes. From the robot-dog Flint to Canada’s first robot-coa5ter, R05iE, and a 15-acre park surrounding the science of the developing brain, Spark is a hub for creative encounters.
Position Overview
The Science Educator reports to the Senior Manager, Education and is supervised by Supervisor, Field Trips. As the face of Spark’s customer service and science communication front lines, Science Educators are pivotal to the success of our purpose – to lift people up with the power of curiosity. You have engaging, inspiring, and sparkling personalities that delight our guests, with particular focus on K-12 students and their teachers. You love delivering exceptional learning programs that enhance curriculum and spark a love of the sciences, including onsite school workshops, live planetarium shows, on-land learning, virtual programs, and outreach experiences in schools. You value diverse ways of knowing and being and thrive in a collaborative and inclusive work environment where science is for everyone. You demonstrate creativity, courage, and commitment in your work. You are curious about this amazing world around us and encourage others to be curious too.
Availability Required: 8am-4pm weekdays, 3-5 days a week, contract
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver exceptional educational experiences (onsite, online, and at schools programming) connected to Alberta curriculum, with a focus on the sciences
- Ensure all elements of the guest journey (teacher, student, and chaperone) is held to the highest standards of customer service.
- Execute the planning and logistics of school programs, including school greetings, program set-up/take down, supply management.
- Support brainstorming, development, iteration, and piloting of ground-breaking science education experiences.
- Support larger Education efforts as needed, including camps, adult learning, outreach, interpretive science, and Indigenous sciences.
- Take an ongoing learning approach to maintaining program quality – by learning new teaching techniques and practices, soft skill development, and engaging in training experience offered internally.
- Maintain a safe teaching and learning environment for staff and our guests by following relevant Health and Safety policies.
- Work collaboratively with other Spark teams to meet objectives, creatively solve issues, and anticipate challenges.
- Model strong work-ethic, flexibility, kindness, and professionalism in a rapidly changing growth environment.
- Ensure personal and team activities are aligned with business and strategic goals of Spark as a whole.
- Other duties as required and assigned.
Qualifications & Knowledge
- A minimum of two years’ experience or expertise in the sciences or education.
- Post secondary courses or equivalent knowledge/training in education or sciences.
- Highly skilled in science communication, public speaking, and engaging children of all ages in science education.
- An enthusiasm and comfort for science, technology, and STEAM.
- A passion for creating an amazing guest experience, regularly going above and beyond to create memorable, exciting experiences for guests.
- High familiarity and proficiency with Alberta K-12 curriculum
- A proven track record of adding value to an organization’s diverse and inclusive culture, positive morale, and engaging initiatives, and an eagerness to be a part of its reconciliation journey.
- Fluency in Microsoft programming and able to use most related platforms.
- A high degree of creativity, natural curiosity, and a keen interest in the sciences and ways of knowing the universe.
- Fluidity and a desire to work hard and grow; willingness to learn and adapt to change.
- Fluency in a second language is a definite asset.
- The successful candidate will be required to go through an enhanced security check with Vulnerable Sector Screening as a condition of employment.
Closing Date: Open until the right candidates are found
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, people of colour, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Spark, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace so if you are excited about this role, please apply! Excitement and passion for science can go a long way here so you may be just the right candidate for this or other roles at Spark.
