At Discovery Place, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we fuel your passion for science and the natural world by delivering awe-inspiring exhibits and educational programs.
Our immersive experiences captivate, challenge, and empower audiences of all ages, sparking a spirit of discovery and lifelong learning. We hope to forge a future where science catalyzes, creating boundless opportunities, fostering hope, solving complex problems and driving positive change across the globe.
We’re looking for driven, talented individuals who share our passion for making an impact and having fun while doing it.
Summary
The Experience Specialist, Biomedical Sciences advances Discovery Place’s mission by developing, delivering, and leading extraordinary biomedical science experiences across all Discovery Place locations- Discovery Place Science, Charlotte Museum of Nature, Discovery Place Kids, and Youth Development programs. Experiences include but are not limited to camps, classes, fee-based programs, workshops, and museum floor programming.
As an educational institution committed to advancing its mission through exceptional learning experiences and meaningful guest engagement, Discovery Place values programs that inspire curiosity and foster connection. This role ensures that educational excellence and organizational sustainability work together, designing experiences that both inspire guests and help meet participation, attendance, and revenue goals.
The Specialist collaborates with colleagues, early learning teams, and Youth Development teams to connect biomedical sciences in the museum with mentorship and youth leadership pathways. Discovery Place recognizes that STEM, design, character values, social-emotional learning, early literacy, and play are all essential in helping every learner feel they belong, can think critically, and create confidently.
Content Expertise
This role blends scientific expertise, educational innovation, and program leadership to create and prototype engaging, research-informed experiences throughout the museum. The Specialist develops, trains, implements and prototypes interactive experiences that connect guests to real-world biomedical science while increasing educational impact, audience engagement, and earned revenue.
This position serves as Discovery Place’s educational content expert in biomedical sciences, with deep knowledge and practical understanding of:
- Human health, nutrition, anatomy, and physiology
- Microbiology, molecular biology, and genetics
- Biomedical ethics
The Specialist integrates this expertise into both elevated lab-based learning and museum-wide programming, using biomedical science as a foundation for creativity, discovery, and innovation throughout all guest experiences.
-
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Program Development and Facilitation
- Design, develop, and prototype programs across museums that bring biomedical concepts to life through interactive, inquiry-driven experiences that engage audiences of all ages and contribute to revenue growth and educational excellence.
- Facilitate dynamic experiences that empower guests to explore human biology, health, and medical science in accessible and inspiring ways.
- Collaborate closely with the Youth Development Program to design and implement biomedical-focused workshops, mentoring experiences, and Career Launchpad programming that prepare youth for STEM and health science career pathways.
- Provide consistent, high-quality delivery of programs across all museum locations, ensuring content accuracy, engagement, and alignment with Discovery Place’s mission.
Exhibit and Project Design
- Contribute to the design and enhancement of exhibits, interactives, and demonstrations that connect biomedical research with hands-on discovery.
Collaboration and Mentorship
- Work closely with the Content and Experience, Early Learning, and Youth Development teams to plan and execute design initiatives and special projects including bridge experiences connecting family programs, camps, maker pathways, and youth leadership or mentorship models
- Support museum-wide and after-hours events, including adult-oriented programs, special initiatives, and national STEM celebrations.
- Mentor colleagues and volunteers on safe, effective facilitation, tool use, and creative engagement strategies.
- Collaborate with schools, community organizations, STEM partners, biomedical educators, and researchers to extend the reach and relevance of programming
- Support the creation of contracted projects, including curriculum or learning materials for schools, museums, and educational media partners.
Quality and Evaluation
- Collaborate with the Director of Research and Evaluation to develop and apply evaluation methods to measure learning outcomes, guest engagement, attendance, and earned revenue impact.
- Prototype content and experiences, using data, observations, and learner feedback to refine and enhance biomedical sciences experiences
- Follow established Discovery Place procedures and elevate undocumented situations as they arise.
- Provide and receive constructive feedback to maintain consistency, safety, and high standards across all programs.
- Maintain project timelines and deliverables for efficient, high-quality implementation.
Mission + Sustainability
- Understands and communicates the link between Discovery Place’s mission and financial sustainability, ensuring that design-based programs and exhibits inspire learning while strengthening earned revenue.
- Contributes to a culture of innovation, accountability, and operational excellence that sustains Discovery Place’s community impact.
-
Competencies
- Mission & Sustainability Awareness – Understands the connection between educational mission and earned revenue; creates programs that inspire learning, drive engagement, and meet participation goals.
- Innovation – Displays creativity, resourcefulness, and design thinking; integrates cutting-edge technology and maker practices.
- Problem Solving – Identifies challenges and develops effective, safe, and creative solutions.
- Customer Service – Provides exceptional, inclusive, and welcoming guest experiences.
- Adaptability – Adjusts to shifting project needs and emerging technologies.
- Collaboration – Works cross-departmentally, including with Youth Development and Exhibits, to strengthen the design learning continuum.
- Quality & Safety – Maintains professional standards for lab spaces, laboratory tools, and public spaces.
-
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (B.S. or B.A.) in a field related to content expertise above from a four-year college or university, master’s preferred.
- One to two years of experience in informal STEM or biomedical education, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong written, verbal, and facilitation skills.
- North Carolina Teaching Certificate or equivalent preferred; safety certification desirable.
- Bilingual ability preferred but not required.
-
Schedule and Expectations
- The schedule alternates to include weekends and occasional evenings.
- The majority of time is devoted to direct delivery of guest experiences and the development of innovative, revenue-generating educational content.
- The Experience Specialist is expected to think boldly, experiment fearlessly, and advance the culture of science and innovation throughout Discovery Place’s network.
Work Environment
While performing duties, the employee regularly works in a dynamic museum environment that may include exposure to saws, drills, chemicals, lab machinery, and other tools. The employee may also work in outdoor or public event settings. The noise level is typically loud and high-energy.
-
Physical Demands
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The position requires regular standing, walking, bending, reaching, and tool use. Clear communication, attention to safety, and responsive guest interaction are essential.
-
Discovery Place Core Values
Discovery Place employees uphold the mission, vision, and values of the organization. We strive to provide exceptional service through four core values: uncommon courtesy, pursuit of personal excellence, teamwork, and inclusion. We value diversity of thought and create spaces where employees and guests alike feel a sense of belonging.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit.
Employees of Discovery Place should uphold the mission, vision and values of the organization. We strive to provide exceptional service through four core values: uncommon courtesy, the pursuit of personal excellence, teamwork and inclusion. We value the diversity of opinions and intellectual thought and encourage an environment where employees can share ideas openly.
The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities of this job. Other duties may be assigned. This job description may be changed to include new responsibilities and tasks or change existing ones as management deems necessary.
