Science Activator - Unilingual (English) & Bilingual (English/French)

About the job

Please be advised that the address for this position is 235 Queen Quay West, Toronto, Ontario

You will:

• facilitate STEM programs, experiments, demonstrations, workshops, special events and activations for children, families and diverse audiences across Ontario Science Centre locations, community and outdoor settings, and virtual platforms
• create welcoming, participatory and hands-on experiences that invite visitors to experiment, collaborate, make choices and discover, adapting your approach for different ages, interests, abilities, sensory needs and ways of participating
• use questions, prompts and observations to follow visitor curiosity, deepen exploration and create memorable science “aha” moments, while sharing insights that help strengthen accessibility, audience engagement and program effectiveness
• research science content and emerging STEM topics and, in collaboration with colleagues, contribute ideas and help develop, prototype, test, adapt and refine activities, experiments, demonstrations, programs and resources
• prepare, test, operate and troubleshoot program materials, scientific equipment, demonstrations, audiovisual resources and virtual delivery tools, following health, safety and accessibility requirements
• contribute to public-facing science communication through in-person, digital and media channels, and support festivals, fairs, facility rentals and project teams as required Hours and availability
• These positions are irregularly scheduled for 0-36.25 hours per week, with no guaranteed minimum. Hours are scheduled on an as-needed basis
• Shifts will include evenings, weekends and statutory holidays as required
• The Science Centre operates 364 days a year and closes on December 25
• Occasional off-site assignments, travel and overnight stays may be required The number of positions to be filled
• Up to 10 unilingual (English) Science Activators
• Up to 5 bilingual (English/French) Science Activators What you bring to the team Mandatory requirements

You must:

• You must be available to work weekends and statutory holidays when required.
• (Only if you are applying to the bilingual position) possess French-language proficiency in both written and spoken communication at the advanced plus level. Your proficiency level will be confirmed before hiring.
• Audience engagement and facilitation

You have:

• experience creating or facilitating participatory, hands-on, inquiry-based, play-based and collaborative experiences for children, families and diverse public audiences
• strong facilitation, presentation and interpersonal skills to create welcoming, energetic, accessible and inclusive environments
• ability to observe and respond to audience interests and needs, using prompts and conversation to deepen exploration and create memorable moments of discovery
• ability to adapt content, language, pace and facilitation for different ages and stages of development, interests, abilities, sensory needs and ways of participating, including opportunities for children and adults to explore and discover together
• ability to engage audiences at different scales, from informal interactions and hands-on investigations to larger demonstrations, workshops, events and community programs STEM knowledge and science communication

You have:

• knowledge of STEM concepts, current research and emerging topics, and the research skills to bring accurate, relevant and engaging science to public audiences
• ability to communicate scientific ideas clearly, accurately, and accessibly for diverse audiences
• understanding of hands-on and inquiry-based approaches that encourage questioning, observation, prediction, experimentation and discovery
• experience preparing or supporting hands-on activities, experiments, demonstrations, making or tinkering in a science, education, cultural or community setting
• research and writing skills to contribute to program materials and to communicate science through in-person, digital and media formats Creative thinking and continuous improvement

You can:

• bring curiosity, creativity and practical ideas to brainstorming and shaping public programs and activities
• contribute to developing, testing, prototyping, adapting and refining STEM activities, demonstrations, programs and resources
• observe how visitors participate and use those observations to help strengthen accessibility, inclusion, engagement and program effectiveness
• apply accessibility, equity, inclusion, anti-racism and culturally responsive practices when developing and adapting programs and activities
• consider how programming can respond to different places, audiences, environments and communities, including through site-responsive and nature-based approaches Collaboration, adaptability and practical skills

You have:

• collaboration and teamwork skills to work effectively with colleagues, community partners, contractors, volunteers and project teams
• flexibility and sound judgement to respond to changing audiences, activities, locations and program requirements
• problem-solving skills to respond to unexpected situations and program-delivery challenges
• ability to safely prepare, use and troubleshoot program materials, scientific equipment, audiovisual resources and virtual tools for program delivery Don't meet every qualification?
• If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
• How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's

Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace: diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives accessibility Anti-Racism Policy What we offer

An opportunity to bring science to life across Ontario Science Centre locations, community and outdoor settings, and virtual platforms; work directly with visitors; contribute to research and program development; and communicate science through live, digital and media experiences.

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:

• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment