Senior Exhibits Technician
The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is looking for a Senior Exhibits Technician to join the Facilities and Operations team. Under general supervision of the Director of Facilities and in coordination with other departments, the Senior Exhibits Technician provides technical services for the installation, repair, and upkeep of designated Aquarium Exhibits and support for front-of-house presentations. Responsible for maintenance and refreshment of all signage and graphics as well as occasional support for audio/visual and digital technologies throughout the Aquarium. Provides fabrication and maintenance of interactive exhibits, executes high quality construction and implements innovative building strategies that contribute to the Seattle Aquarium’s operations.
Functions & Responsibilities
Essential Functions
The Sr. Exhibit Technician fabricates and maintains interactive educational exhibits. As part of the Facilities and Operations team, they will oversee the construction of exhibits from initial prototypes to completed exhibits, maintain and improve existing exhibits, and provide support for installing temporary and regular exhibits in the Aquarium. This position requires collaborative work with project teams, the exhibits committee, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision on high-quality exhibits.
- Conduct a daily walkthrough of exhibit areas to identify and address functionality, safety, and inclusive design opportunities.
- Create, prototype, and maintain exhibit components with the attention to enhance cultural and sensory accessibility. Perform design development; deliver consistent and high-quality exhibit construction across a number of projects.
- Participates in construction and installation of new permanent and temporary exhibit spaces meeting project guidelines and completing the project on time.
- Research and propose exhibit repair, maintenance, and/or replacement solutions.
- Coordinate with outside vendors and contractors for small project exhibit-related work ensuring sustainable sourcing.
- Partners with graphic designers to ensure signage and visual communication meets a range of functional, cultural and accessibility needs.
- Coordinate work activities with stakeholders such as Facilities, Life Sciences, the Exhibits Committee, and Interpretation teams.
- Participate in exhibit project planning, budgeting, and scheduling, with an openness to community engagement and inclusive feedback.
- Update and prioritize work orders in the Aquariums computer maintenance and management system.
- Purchase and stock materials and inventory for exhibits and signage.
- Monitor and maintain all exhibit lighting that is not tied to animal life support systems.
- Maintain a safe working environment.
- Follow applicable safety rules and regulations.
- All Aquarium staff and volunteers are expected to participate in advancing and integrating into their work Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Regenerative practices in alignment with our S.A.L.I.S.H. Values.
- Other duties as assigned.
Other Duties & Responsibilities
Shop Management
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized shop.
- Manage shop inventory and tools to ensure equipment is available and functional.
- Partner with Safety to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to comply with the Washington State
- Department of Labor and Industries guidance on tools and chemicals used to perform job duties.
- Ongoing tool maintenance for projects.
- Provide training on use of power tools for new staff.
Skills & Experience
Knowledge & Skills
The skills and abilities listed below may be demonstrated through a combination of relevant cultural and community programs, jobs, internships, volunteer experience, and/or formal or informal education. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean, we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you.
- Minimum of 5 years of a combination of relevant education and experience in an in progressively responsible roles.
- A commitment to continuous learning, especially related to equity, accessibility, and sustainability in public exhibits.
- Fabrication experience with wood, metals, and plastics
- Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in constructing new exhibits or exhibit repair.
- Knowledge of machines, and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Ability to draft and interpret working drawings and schematics relevant to signage and exhibits.
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks while ensuring timely, high-quality outcomes.
- Ability to creatively solve problems and adapt designs to meet real-world needs of diverse users, including multilingual and multi-ability audiences.
- Understanding of or willingness to learn about universal design principles and how exhibits can be more inclusive to a wider range of audiences.
- Knowledge of lighting systems.
- A solid working knowledge of audio/visual equipment operation and basic computer systems.
- Become certified as an Aerial/Scissor lift operator. Training will be provided if candidate is not currently certified.
- Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles in drafting drawings and models; Analyzing needs and product requirements to create design.
- English proficiency; multilingual and multicultural communication skills and experience are preferred.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the Aquarium’s Mission and Values, including Regenerative and Equity work.
Job Requirements
Working Conditions
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel, and talk or hear.
- Frequently required to reach with hands and arms.
- Required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.
- Frequently required to lift 50 pounds and may be required to “team lift” heavier weights.
- The vision requirements include ability to adjust focus, peripheral vision, and close vision.
- Able to work at heights (i.e. ladders and use of aerial lifts).
- Able to work in confined spaces, with chemicals, and over water.
- Exposure to outside weather conditions and noise from machinery and visitors when the Aquarium is busy.
- At times, be on call for emergencies.
- Must be able and willing to safely use a scissor lift and other power equipment to complete responsibilities.
