Science Museum Group
Explainer - Part Time
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Are you confident engaging with people of all ages and backgrounds? Do you enjoy creating welcoming, inclusive experiences that spark curiosity and help bring stories to life?
About us
The Science Museum Group (SMG) exists to inspire future scientists, engineers and inventors. As the world's leading group of science museums, we share our unparalleled collection across science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine with over five million visitors each year.
At Locomotion in Shildon, we tell the story of the railways and their impact on society. Through our collections, exhibitions and public programmes, we create engaging experiences that inspire curiosity, support learning and connect communities with their heritage.
To help us deliver these experiences, we are seeking an Explainer to join us on a permanent, part-time basis, working 20 hours per week.
About the role
As an Explainer, you will play an important role in creating memorable visitor experiences and helping people engage with our collections and exhibits. Working as part of our Public Programme team, you will facilitate activities, demonstrations and interactive experiences for a wide range of audiences, including families, school groups and community organisations.
You'll deliver hands-on STEM activities and Explainer-led sessions, adapting your communication style to suit different audiences and supporting visitors with a range of needs. Whether you're helping a young child explore a scientific concept, welcoming an educational group, or supporting a community event, you'll help ensure every visitor feels included and inspired.
Alongside visitor engagement, you'll support the development and delivery of new activities, work collaboratively with volunteers and operational teams, and contribute to outreach work in schools and communities beyond the museum.
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The role is based at Locomotion, Shildon, working 20 hours per week across Monday to Thursday. Typical shifts will be 9:00am to 2:00pm, although some flexibility may occasionally be required to support programmed activities and events.
About you
Joining us, you'll be a confident communicator who enjoys working with people and creating positive experiences. You'll be comfortable engaging with visitors of all ages and helping them explore new ideas through enquiry, discussion and participation.
You'll bring excellent interpersonal skills, a collaborative approach and a commitment to providing great customer service. You'll be enthusiastic about learning, open to feedback and confident using your initiative while knowing when to seek support.
We're particularly interested in candidates who are passionate about creating welcoming and inclusive environments for diverse audiences. Experience of working with children, young people or individuals with special educational needs would be helpful but is not essential. An interest in science, technology, engineering, maths, local history or heritage would also be beneficial.
Don't feel you meet all the criteria? We welcome you to apply even if your experience doesn't match directly. With your transferable skills, you could be the right candidate for this, or other opportunities that we have.
Applying
View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under 'Attachments' on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process or click 'Apply Online' to submit an application.
What we offer
Working with a world-leading museum group that offers access to truly unique environments and collections, you'll benefit from the perks listed below, as well as full support for life events such as parental and adoption leave, sickness, and career breaks.
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- Meaningful work. We're a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures.
- Career growth. We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development.
- Work/life balance. We offer 27 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life.
- Healthcare cash plan. Digital health tools, gym discounts and cashback towards your everyday healthcare costs.
- All our colleagues can access an employee assistance programme and other wellbeing support.
- Colleague networks. Our colleague-led networks are an informal forum for colleagues to come together to discuss topics of shared interest and lived experience. They create a space for people to exchange ideas, discuss best practice, socialise and build a sense of community.
- Enhanced contributory pension. To support you in saving for the future.
- Interest-free loans. When you need a little extra cash for life events or home improvements.
- Great discounts. Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in our shops and cafes, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.
Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group's five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable to continue to Inspire Futures.
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