Science Educator, Seasonal

The Opportunity:
Do you like to teach science content and 21st century learning skills through engaging and relevant programs and resources for school-aged audiences? Do you have strong research and program development skills, and an ability to adapt your teaching strategies and communication style to respond to broad and diverse groups? Join the Ontario Science Centre for this exciting opportunity to apply your research, development, and teaching skills when developing and delivering programs, resources, and workshops online, onsite, and through outreach.

Note: This is a recurring seasonal position, working approximately 10 months (from mid August to late June) during each seasonal employment term. The employment term may be subject to change in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What can I expect to do in this role?

As a Science Educator, Seasonal, you will take a lead in researching, developing, and teaching relevant curriculum-correlated science and technology programs, resources, and workshops for students and teachers from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Your engaging and responsive communication and presentation skills will enable you to deliver programs/workshops to various audiences such as Early Childhood Educators, and pre-service teachers and practicing teachers. You will also write, edit, and produce support materials for teachers that connect to film, exhibit and other OSC program offerings.

How do I qualify?

Presentation and Communication Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills including skills to adapt program content, language level, style, and pace to meet diverse audiences' needs so that information is understandable, relevant and accessible.
  
• Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills as they relate to the interpretation of complex scientific and technical information into easily understood program ideas and applications.
  
• Flexibility and adaptability in order to function well in frequently changing scheduling and workload situations.
  
• Excellent active listening skills, customer service skills, and commitment to visitor care
  
• Interpersonal skills and professionalism are required to work both independently and co-operatively in a team and/or project oriented settings.
  
• Ability to motivate and train other educators and presenters in the successful delivery of school programs.

Technical Skills and Knowledge of Science and Teaching

• Demonstrated science knowledge of one or more of: biology, biochemistry, physics, space sciences, chemistry, math and technology.
  
• Demonstrated ability to research and develop creative, interactive, and responsive educational programs and resources.
  
• Strong research, planning, writing, and technical skills (laboratory skills, related computer hardware and software).
  
• Demonstrated understanding and application of the Ontario science and technology curriculum for kindergarten to grade 12; inquiry- and play-based learning; 21st century learning skills (such as problem solving, creativity, innovation, critical thinking and lifelong learning); and STEAM learning
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of anti-racism education and the critical self-reflective practice and ongoing learning required to be an effective anti-racist educator
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous ways of knowing in science education and how to infuse Indigenous knowledge into educational programming in an authentic, respectful, and appropriate manner
  
• Ability to work with onsite and online learning simulations, digital technology, and technical troubleshooting skills including, but not limited to coding, understanding of computational thinking and working proficiency with hardware such as Arduino, raspberry Pi or robotics.

Organizational & Problem Solving Skills

• Organization, time management and prioritization skills and the ability to switch quickly between conflicting priorities.
  
• Excellent critical thinking and creative problem solving skills to respond to unexpected situations.
  
• Demonstrates initiative with assigned work, professional development and corporate goals.

OPS Commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti- racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit theOPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the application instructions below if you require a disability-related accommodation.

Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Thursday, October 21, 2021 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.