Eligible candidates are high school students between the ages of 15 and 20 (but no older than 18 when they apply) who have basic communication skills, are curious, mature, open-minded, and eager to learn more about science, art, and perception.
High School Explainers are hired for a four-month “semester” and work between 12 and 19.5 hours per week. They may be rehired for additional semesters.
The school-year schedule for Explainers is Wednesday and Friday 1:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.; Thursday 3:15 p.m.–10:15 p.m., or 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., or 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. or 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
The summer schedule for this position is Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. or 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; and Thursday 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., 12:00–7:00 p.m., or 2:15 p.m.–10:15 p.m.
Shift length is determined by age, according to labor laws for minors.
Essential Functions
• Participate in up to 60 hours of training. Topics include working with the public, conducting informal conversations with visitors, sharing information with visitors at exhibits, gaining an understanding of informal methods of learning as they relate to science, and other activities as required.
• Set up and monitor the museum for daily operations: Open and Close museum, move exhibits and stools to proper locations, and assist staff during emergency procedures.
• Greet and orient individual visitors and groups.
• Oversee activity on the exhibit floor.
• Serve as a guide or facilitator, initiating contact with visitors to enrich the museum experience.
• Perform scientific demonstrations and engage visitors in the process.
• Assist visitors with special needs through the museum when requested.
• Monitor museum exhibits to be sure that they are in good working order. Troubleshoot and report malfunctioning exhibits and perform minimal exhibit maintenance as instructed.
• Handle visitors’ lost items and respond when children become separated from their parents or groups; provide assistance to reunite families.
• Staff the Information Desk on the museum floor. Perform other duties as assigned.
High School Explainers are paid the San Francisco minimum wage, which is much higher than the state's, for their service to the museum. A background in science is not required.
