Museum Program Specialist, Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation

Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History

The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the National Museum of American History (NMAH), seeks a new Museum Program Specialist to oversee the daily operations of Draper Spark!Lab, a hands-on invention space for children and families, and to support the development and execution of other Lemelson Center public programs. The Lemelson Center conducts historical research, develops educational initiatives, creates exhibitions and hosts public programming to advance new perspectives on invention and innovation and to foster interactions between the public and inventors. To learn more about the Lemelson Center, visit http://www.invention.si.edu/about-lemelson-center.

Position Involves:

  • Developing staffing plans for the Spark!Lab to create meaningful visitor experiences for the number of visitors and types of audiences anticipated
  • Recruiting, hiring, training and supervising paid floor managers and facilitators, and volunteer docents and interns
  • Managing inventory, supplies and overall maintenance needs of the Spark!Lab space
  • Working with the Lemelson Center and NMAH staff to develop, implement, and evaluate appropriate hands-on activities for a wide range of visitors
  • Coordinating the development and execution of public programs in the Spark!Lab
  • Assisting with the development and execution of Lemelson Center public programs, such as lectures, workshops, demonstrations, conferences, performances, films, living history events and hands-on activities related to the history of invention and innovation for families, children and other audiences

The Lemelson Center has a distinctive organizational culture that seeks to emulate how inventors work. We experiment, learn, iterate, and aim to widely apply new methods for engaging audiences on the broadest scale. We strive for a startup culture while working inside an organization with a highly valued brand and global reach. The successful candidate must have experience managing a hands-on education space; recruiting, training, and supervising paid and volunteer staff; and developing public programs for a wide range of public audiences. Ability to collaborate with colleagues on a wide variety of projects, skill to inspire a sense of inventiveness among diverse audiences and knowledge of the importance of invention is required. A master’s degree in education or museum studies, or a scientific, engineering, historical or other relevant discipline is preferred.

Salary Information

This is a full-time, 2-year Trust (non-Federal) position at the IS-9 grade level. The salary is $56,233 annually, including an excellent benefits package.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples (compiled into 1 master PDF) to Monica Smith, Lemelson Center Head of Exhibitions and Interpretation, at SmithMo@si.edu, with the subject “Museum Program Specialist.” Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 9, 2018.

The Smithsonian is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.