Mission Operations Coordinator
| Reports to: Manager of Operations & Visitor Services | Status: Non-Exempt, Part-time |
| Compensation: $18/hour | Date: March 2025 |
Summary / Objective:
Moonshot Museum is Pennsylvania’s first space museum and the only museum on the planet with a core focus on career readiness for the 21st century space industry. Moonshot Museum offers visitors a literal window into the real time work of spacecraft construction. Students embark on storied space missions in an immersive lunar landscape filled with high-tech team-building activities. Moonshot Museum’s Learning & Programs team leads space-themed STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) experiences for students of all ages in onsite, offsite, and virtual programs.
Moonshot Museum seeks a vibrant, energetic, collaborative PART TIME MOONSHOT MUSEUM MISSION OPERATIONS COORDINATOR to join our team as a “face of space” presenting educational programs onsite at Moonshot Museum, off-site at schools and community venues, and virtually.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Ability to lead public presentations, digital team building activities, theatric science assemblies and planetarium programs through strong public speaking and storytelling skills
- Ability to guide visitors and students through learner-centered activities and workshops that include career conversations, creating art, exploring science and robotics, discussing and debating space policy, engaging with touchscreens and virtual reality exhibits
- Ability to serve visitors through empathy, problem-solving, and a commitment to excellent customer care
- Exudes passion for education around space exploration and science, and the important role that the arts play in these fields
- Collaborative, receptive to feedback, an attitude of constant self-improvement and teamwork
- Ability to think on your feet in a fast-paced environment
- Comfortable working with computers and audio-visual equipment and troubleshooting/ pivoting around technological challenges as they arise
- Flexible to ongoing change and iteration at a young and growing museum
- Public speaking experience preferred, in roles such as science presenter, tour guide, teacher, museum educator, or theatre
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred, or equivalent experience
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program & Education Support
- Prepare materials, equipment, and digital content for onsite, virtual, and offsite programs.
- Assist the Learning & Programs team with set-up, tear-down, and day-of logistics.
- Maintain accurate records of outreach activities, participant engagement, and partnerships.
- Support light facilitation of STEAM programming as needed.
- Adheres to all Moonshot Museum protocols and procedures.
Community Engagement & Outreach
- Ability to build relationships with schools, community groups, and partner organizations to promote Moonshot Museum’s programs.
- Assist in the development and execution of outreach strategies to engage diverse and underrepresented communities.
- Represent Moonshot Museum at community events, career fairs, and industry gatherings to raise awareness of our mission and programs.
- Help coordinate offsite visits, tabling events, and Mobile Moonshot programs to extend the museum’s reach beyond its physical location.
Administrative & Logistics Support
- Maintain accurate records of outreach activities, participant engagement, and community partnerships.
- Assist with scheduling and coordinating outreach events, ensuring smooth communication with partners.
- Help manage materials and resources needed for programming, including educational kits and technology.
- Serve as front desk staff during public museum hours, schedule subject to change throughout the year
- Assist with managing Front Desk email account during work hours, responding to queries, and/or forwarding requests to the appropriate staff member
- Track and manage inventory of supplies, kits, and educational resources.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Satisfactory PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record check, and Child Abuse History Certification
- Satisfactory professional references check.
- Valid Driver’s License and ability to pass Department of Motor Vehicles check.
- Must be able to work onsite consistently in Pittsburgh, PA and offsite within 100-mile driving radius of Pittsburgh, PA.
- Must have valid driver’s license and access to personal vehicle.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, highly sensory, stimulating work environment due to constant interaction with other staff and visitors, including children
- Ability to remain in a stationary position for long periods of 90 minutes or more and proactively teach, converse, and engage with students and adults of all ages
- Ability to work in small areas that are dimly lit and noisy at times
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, including museum exhibits pieces as scheduled
- Ability to carry, set up, and clean up outreach demonstrations and equipment
- Ability to drive in one’s own vehicle to offsite programs as assigned throughout Western Pennsylvania
- Ability to transport and return Moonshot Museum outreach materials and equipment
POSITION TYPE/ EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
- The Moonshot Museum Mission Operations Coordinator is a non-exempt, part time position.
- Hours available for these positions will vary around program delivery needs and seasonal museum program patterns, up to a maximum of 29 hours per week.
- Candidates must be comfortable and prepared to work a flexible schedule.
COMPENSATION:
- The hourly pay rate for the Moonshot Museum Navigator is $18. This position is non-exempt.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
- Please submit a resume and cover letter via email to Mike Hennessy, Manager of Learning & Programs, at jobs@moonshotmuseum.org with the subject line Moonshot Museum Community Outreach Navigator in your email.
It is Moonshot Museum’s policy to hire and promote qualified people and administer all terms and conditions of employment without discrimination due to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sex assigned at birth, sexual orientation, transgender identity, gender transition, gender expression, and gender identity), national origin, ancestry, place of birth, disability, age, genetic information, use of a guide or support animal, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, or other protected-class status.
Moonshot Museum does not discriminate based on disability in admission or access to, or employment in, its programs and activities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to enable you to complete the application process, please send a request via email to jobs@moonshotmuseum.org