Exhibit Coordinator at Children's Museum of South Dakota

Mission: The Children’s Museum of South Dakota sparks imagination and learning for all children and their grown-ups through play, creativity, and discovery.  

Vision: CMSD seeks to transform the world by inspiring generations to love learning and to believe that life is full of possibilities.  

Job Summary:

Our Exhibit Coordinator ensures the Museum is a clean, safe, welcoming, and engaging place to play, learn, and explore.  This position coordinates the day-to-day operation of the exhibits that make our Museum unique, including over 5,000 loose parts, which have a critical role in empowering children and their grown-ups to actively learn through play. This role uses a hands-on approach to ensure that all exhibit elements are maintained to the highest quality, safety, and cleanliness to support exceptional visitor experiences.

Key Responsibilities:

• Circulate the Museum floor to ensure that all exhibits and loose parts are organized and ready for guests to engage in playful learning.
• Ensure day-to-day operation and quality of exhibits, including opening and closing, troubleshooting, cleanliness, safety, and visitor readiness.

• Champion the role of loose parts in open-ended play, demonstrating playful interactions and empowering guests to create unique, meaningful hands-on learning experiences.

• Participate in the planning and execution of future exhibit and experience enhancements.

• Lead the care for loose parts and exhibit materials, including sourcing, sorting, storing, replenishing, and cleaning loose parts and exhibits.

• Proactively conduct daily inspections of exhibits and loose parts to ensure they are in good condition, providing feedback where repairs, maintenance, or replacement is needed.
• Observe visitors as they utilize exhibits and loose parts and provide feedback to help improve and enhance the Museum experience.
• Foster positive interactions with children and guests by answering questions and sharing insights to enrich their exhibit play experiences.

• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized Museum environment.
• As part of the Operations team, prepare spaces for internal and external meetings and events, including table and chair setup, AV technology, and space readiness.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred but not required.
• Prior related professional experience, such as facility or building operations, education or childhood development, or museum or cultural attraction work, is preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of how young children learn through hands-on play and familiarity in creating interactive learning environments is preferred but not required.
• Shows a passion for and commitment to the Museum’s mission, vision, and values.
• Ability to guide and follow established systems, processes, and procedures with consistency and accuracy.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and organization.
• Strong organization and ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Great attention to detail.
• Communicates effectively and interacts genuinely with people of all backgrounds, abilities, and life experiences. 
• Team player with ability to collaborate and cooperate.

What We Offer:

• Starting salary range of at least $23.00 per hour and will be evaluated commensurate with experience and qualifications. 
• This is a non-exempt role.
• Comprehensive benefit package includes health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement benefits, and paid time off. Additional benefits include an Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) Reciprocal Membership, discount onsite at Café Coteau and Play Central Toys and Books, professional and career development, and a playful environment.

Work Environment:

• This role requires an active, hands-on approach, including standing for extended periods, engaging with guests throughout the Museum, and performing tasks that involve lifting, bending, and moving objects to ensure a vibrant, engaging, and safe environment for our visitors.
• This role must be completed onsite and some flexible scheduling options may be available.
• Scheduled shifts will include weekends, evenings, and some holidays.
• Full-time commitment requires a minimum of 38 hours per week.
• This position reports to our Operations and Exhibit Manager.

How to Apply:

Please complete our online application which will require a resume of past work experience.

The Children’s Museum of South Dakota celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment where employees of all race, color, religion, marital status, age, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, and veteran status feel welcome.