Apply By: Friday, March 1, 2024 11:59 pm EST

Competition Status: Application Screening

Approximately 1001 individuals applied for this opportunity.

We are screening ALL applications received on or before the closing date and rating them against the qualifications outlined in the job ad. Applicants whose resume and cover letter best demonstrate how they meet the qualifications to do the job will be invited to continue in the hiring process.

To learn about our recruitment process, visit our Hiring Process.

Student Position

Organization:

Ontario Science Centre

Division:

Learning and Engagement/External Relations

City:

Toronto

Language of Position(s):

English

Job Term:

3 Temporary

Job Code:

U0163 - Student Level 2

Salary:

$17.40 - $17.40 Per Hour*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

Understanding the job ad - definitions

Posting Status:

Open

Job ID:

210874

Note: We are looking to hire 35-45 students in total.

Are you a student looking for a unique opportunity to hone your people skills while experiencing interesting new challenges each day? Do you have a strong customer service ethic and a passion for science? Join our team at the Ontario Science Centre!

As a student employee at the Ontario Science Centre (the Centre), you'll be fully immersed in a fun, exciting work environment where you'll get to engage with our visitors and learn from our diverse teams. We can't wait to meet you!

Since 1969, the Centre has welcomed more than 50 million visitors, with an interactive approach that was the model for science centres around the world. It is a venue for public dialogue about science and society, aiming to inspire a lifelong journey of curiosity, discovery, and action to create a better future for the planet.

Please note that these positions are irregularly scheduled for 0-36.25 hours per week with no guaranteed minimum. Student hours are scheduled on an as-needed basis during official school breaks (Summer, Winter Holidays, Family Day Weekend, March Break), in accordance with the Centre's operating hours.

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 the OPS 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 "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

Student Positions Available (see below for details):
• Junior Recreational Programs Assistant
• Student Host
• Visitor Services Student

Junior Recreational Programs Assistant:
The Centre offers large-scale STEM-based camps for youth 4-14 during the summer and other school breaks and requires enthusiastic Junior Recreational Programs Assistants (Jr RPAs) to assist in the supervision of children and the delivery of a safe and successful program experience.

Note:
• All candidates must be certified in Standard First Aid and CPR Level C prior to the start of employment and maintain certification throughout employment
• Top candidates will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Screening Sector check for this position

What can I expect in this role:
• Assist with the organization, implementation, supervision and execution of a variety of camp and program duties
• Interact with parents/caregivers, staff, children and other customers to provide program information
• Attend and participate in meetings and training sessions; and will complete other tasks as assigned by supervisors
• Assist with setting up, maintaining and cleaning up program delivery spaces, supplies, and inventory by moving boxes, supplies, and other large items (up to 20 lbs) related to recreational programs to and from the required areas for set-up/take down
• Participate in camp activities that include extended periods of sitting, walking, kneeling, crouching, squatting, reaching, and/or standing
• Maintain an environment and atmosphere within the Centre conducive to a positive visitor experience

**Minimum Summer availability – weekdays throughout July and August. Winter Break availability - December 23, 2024 – January 3, 2025.

Student Host:
The Ontario Science Centre seeks engaging, outgoing, and enthusiastic individuals to become part of the front-line team of Student Hosts, providing visitors with the best possible Science Centre experience.

What can I expect in this role:
• Enthusiastically and proactively engage visitors, exciting them about science; provoking questions, stimulating thought and arousing curiosity
• Invite visitors to explore how science can and does affect their everyday lives, initiate experiences to inspire visitors to understand and participate in science
• Attend and participate in meetings and training sessions; and will complete other tasks as assigned by supervisors
• Provide excellent visitor care/customer service, anticipating and seeking to meet or exceed visitor needs
• Encourage visitors to participate, collaborate, and create opportunities for discovery
• Maintain an environment and atmosphere within the Centre conducive to a positive visitor experience

**Minimum Summer availability – weekends, holidays, and at least two weekdays through July and August. Winter Break availability - December 23, 2024 – January 3, 2025.

Visitor Services Student:
The Ontario Science Centre is seeking motivated and skilled individuals to provide warm and friendly service to our visitors. The successful candidate will provide excellent visitor care/customer service at the ticket entrance, OMNIMAX theatre, and special exhibits, providing direction to visitors which may include working outdoors, anticipating and seeking to meet or exceed visitor needs.

What can I expect in this role:
• Enthusiastically and proactively welcome visitors to the Centre, provide directions, ask questions to ascertain visitor interests, and make recommendations on what to see
• Verify tickets and membership cards at various access points
• Usher visitors into theatre and special programs, deliver welcome and safety speech, enforce theatre/program policies
• Attend and participate in meetings and training sessions; and will complete other tasks as assigned by supervisors
• Provide excellent visitor care/customer service, anticipating and seeking to meet or exceed visitor needs
• Maintain an environment and atmosphere within the Centre conducive to a positive visitor experience

**Minimum Summer availability – weekends, holidays, and at least two weekdays through July and August. Winter Break availability - December 23, 2024 – January 3, 2025.

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

Mandatory for all student positions:
• You must be 15 years of age or older as of the first day of employment
• You must be a resident of Ontario
• You must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Students are also required to have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) upon being hired
• You must be enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution or are within six months of graduation on the first day of employment

Communication & Teamwork Skills

Junior Recreational Programs Assistant:
• Ability to conduct active/circle games, icebreakers, songs etc. or have related experience in recreational programs such as coaching and dramatic arts

All roles:
• Excellent communication skills to proactively cater to small and large audiences, with sensitivity to cultural diversity and diverse learning needs and styles
• Ability to diffuse difficult situations (managing lineups, etc.)
• Proven ability to perform well independently and as a member of a team
• Demonstrates good use of judgment and problem-solving skills to resolve issues
• Ability to communicate clearly, politely, enthusiastically, and persuasively

Customer Service Skills

Junior Recreational Programs Assistant:
• Ability to interact with children of different ages, that have different learning styles/abilities, and/or special needs
• Ability to interact with caregivers and visitors in a professional, responsible, and respectful manner as a representative of the Ontario Science Centre
• Proven ability to work in a science/education/cultural enterprise or recreational program

All roles:
• Proven ability to deliver enthusiastic customer service and visitor care, customizing visitor experiences and proactively meeting the needs of the visitors
• Ability to demonstrate a caring, warm, and friendly approach to customer service and acquire knowledge of customer service principles and best practices
• Demonstrates understanding of tact and diplomacy during interactions with people, or understanding implied from volunteer or employment experience listed
• Experience with front-line sales, computerized ticketing systems and cash handling

Organizational Skills

Junior Recreational Programs Assistant:
• Assist in providing safe supervision, and organization of campers
• Assist in the development and implementation of the daily schedule and planned activities

All roles:
• Demonstrates dependability, reliability and initiative
• Ability to adhere to a schedule, commit to time keeping and demonstrate consistency
• Ability to learn department procedures/daily operations and implement them on a consistent basis
• Multi-tasking skills and the ability to quickly shift focus in a high paced service and sales environment
• Acute attention to detail in data entry and access control
• Demonstrates experience and ability to stay focused during repetitive tasks

Leadership Skills

All roles:
• Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility
• Demonstrated capacity for initiative and ability to prioritize multiple tasks and requirements
• Ability to work independently and to be an effective part of a team
• Grace under pressure

Additional Information:

Address:

1 English Temporary - Irregular On-Call, duration up to 12 months, 770 Don Mills Rd, Toronto, Toronto Region, Vulnerable Sector Check
2 English Temporary - Irregular On-Call, duration up to 12 months, 770 Don Mills Rd, Toronto, Toronto Region

Compensation Group:

Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Understanding the job ad - definitions

Schedule:

Category:

Customer and Client Services

Posted on:

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Note:

In accordance with the Ontario Public Service (OPS), Employment Screening Checks Policy (ESCP), the top candidate(s) may be required to undergo a security screening check. Refer to the above to determine the screening checks that are required for this position.

Required security screening checks along with your written consent, will be sent to the Transition and Security Office (TSO), Corporate Talent Programs Branch, Talent and Leadership Division to evaluate the results. If applicable, the TSO, with your written consent, will request and obtain any additional employment screening checks that were not obtained directly by you.

A record under the Criminal Code and/or other federal offence record(s) does not automatically mean you will be ineligible for the position. The employment screening check(s) will only be reviewed and evaluated by the TSO for the purpose of making a security clearance decision. The details of an individual's employment screening check(s) will be considered in specific relation to the duties and responsibilities of the position being filled. Employment screening check records will be maintained by the TSO and kept strictly confidential.

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 Friday, March 1, 2024 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

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

All Ontario Public Service external job advertisements are posted in English and French. To confirm the language requirements of a job, check the "language of position" information at the top of each job ad. For all positions, candidates will be assessed in English, the business language of the Ontario Public Service. For English/French designated bilingual positions, candidates will also be assessed through French-language proficiency testing.

Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario sont affichées en anglais et en français. Pour connaître les exigences linguistiques, vérifiez les renseignements sur la « langue du poste » figurant dans le haut de chaque offre d'emploi. Pour tous les postes, l'évaluation des candidates et candidats se fera en anglais, la langue usuelle de la fonction publique de l'Ontario. En ce qui concerne les postes désignés bilingues, la maîtrise du français des candidates et candidats sera également évaluée.

The Ontario Public Service is an inclusive employer.
Accommodation is available under the Ontario's Human Rights Code .

Note: The only website where you can apply on-line for positions with the Ontario Public Service is http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca