Educational Technician (Spark!Lab Facilitator)

Job overview

The Educational Technician (Spark!Lab Facilitator) is an onsite, part-time role in Washington, DC, paying $19.96–$22.62 per hour and scheduled for 21 hours per week, including one weekend day. The role supports the Lemelson Center’s Spark!Lab at the National Museum of American History, a hands-on invention learning space for museum visitors, particularly children and families. The facilitator helps visitors engage with invention through inquiry-based, hands-on activities, while supporting Spark!Lab’s daily operation and visitor experience. The work encourages children and adults to identify problems, imagine solutions, build prototypes, and test ideas, while helping maintain safe, accessible activities and improve learning resources.

What you'll do

• Facilitate hands-on invention activities using inquiry and experimentation
• greet and engage visitors through age- and interest-appropriate conversation
• support opening, operation, and closing of Spark!Lab
• replenish supplies, clean equipment, and monitor safety and accessibility
• recommend basic changes to activity materials or signage and suggest new activity topics
• develop recommendations and resources to improve visitor experience and invention education.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

educational technician

spark!lab facilitator

washington dc

smithsonian institution

part-time

21 hours/week

one weekend day

invention education

hands-on learning

museum visitors

children and families

temporary appointment

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Trust employee benefits may include health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, transit/commuter benefits, annual and sick leave, family-friendly leave, a 403(b) retirement plan, discounts, child care, and flexible spending accounts.

Why this role

21 hours per week, including one weekend day; temporary appointment, not to exceed two years; promotion potential to IS-1702-05 at management discretion.

About the employer

Smithsonian Institution is hiring for this role. Industry: Museums. Sector: 71.