Exploratorium

High School Explainer

High School Explainer Program - San Francisco, CA - Part Time

SUMMARY

The High School Explainer Program at the Exploratorium is a flagship youth program at the museum that offers a unique work-based educational enrichment program for high school and early college students. Explainers work on the museum floor with visitors, exploring hands-on exhibits, facilitating demonstrations, answering questions, and tending to other duties. Explainers observe and explore their own learning processes as they are introduced to broad concepts in a range of scientific disciplines. While they provide a valuable service to the Exploratorium and its visitors, Explainers cultivate their own communication and leadership skills, expand on their scientific knowledge, and learn from each other via peer mentorship. 

 

High School Explainers report to the managers of the program. This is a paid position at $19.18/hour. 


Mandatory training for first-time High School Explainer program participants will be held on June 7, 10, 11, 12, from 12:00 pm - 5:30 pm.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Participate in up to 60 hours of training.  Topics include: working with the public, conducting informal conversations with visitors, sharing information with visitors at exhibits, gaining an understanding of informal methods of learning as they relate to science, and other activities as required.
  • Monitor museum for daily operations: prepare demonstration station areas, prepare galleries, move exhibits and stools to proper locations for opening, and assist staff during emergency procedures.
  • Greet and orient individual visitors and groups.
  • Oversee activity on the exhibit floor.
  •  Serve as a guide or facilitator to enrich the museum experience and initiate visitor engagement.
  • Perform scientific demonstrations and engage visitors in the process.
  • Assist visitors with special needs throughout the museum when requested.
  • Monitor museum exhibits to be sure that they are in proper working order. Troubleshoot, report malfunctioning exhibits, and perform minimal exhibit maintenance as instructed.
  • Handle visitors’ lost items and respond when children become separated from their parents or groups; provide assistance to reunite families and field trip groups.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Candidates must be high school aged students (including students in traditional and alternate post-high school programs – between the ages of 15 and 18 for first time Explainers, and up to the age of 20 for returning Explainers)
  • Must be able to obtain a valid work permit
  • Must be able to attend all basic training dates above
  • Explainers are expected to work 2-3 days a week (9:30 am -5:30 pm) from June 16-August 16 and 1 weekend day from August 17-September 6.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE
This position is open until filled

 

HOW TO APPLY
This is a part-time, non-exempt, temporary position (13-19 hours a week). This is a paid position at $19.18/hour. This position is expected to begin on June 16, 2026, and conclude on September 6, 2026.  When applying, please be ready to share your experience, your qualifications, the reasons why you are interested in the position, your contact information, and your daily availability. Please, no phone calls in regards to this job. To apply, please visit the Exploratorium job page. When applying, please be ready to share your experience, your qualifications, the reasons why you are interested in the position, your contact information, and your daily availability.

If you have questions about the position please contact: [email protected] or call 415-528-4898

The Exploratorium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and values diversity, inclusion and respect.  We welcome and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Exploratorium

Piers 15/17, San Francisco, CA 94111

Website: https://www.exploratorium.edu/about/jobs. No phone calls, please

The Exploratorium is committed to an inclusive workforce.

Apply: High School Explainer
* Required fields
First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Location *
Phone number*
Preferred Name:*
Pronoun(s):
Parent/Guardian Full Name*
Parent/Guardian Phone Number*
Parent/Guardian Email Address*
What school do you attend?*
What is your grade level?*
How did you hear about the High School Explainer Program?*
Tell us about yourself and how participating in this program fits in with your career and educational goals.*
Please describe a time when you had a remarkable learning experience. What did you take away from the experience?*
Please describe, if any - barriers to learning that you have faced. How did you work to overcome these barriers?*
Are you able to attend all mandatory training dates? (June 6, 7, 11,12) 12:00-5:00 pm? If not, please explain why.*
Are you able to work 2-3 shifts a week (9:30am-5:30pm) from June 16-August 16 and then 1 weekend day from August 17-September 6? If not, please explain why.*
Have you been an Explainer before?
(If you answer 'Yes' to this question, please also respond to the questions marked (For previous Explainer's ONLY)*
(For previous Explainer's ONLY) Explain the impact the Explainer program has had on you?
(For previous Explainer's ONLY) How will you continue to build on the skills you have learned in rehired?
(For previous Explainer's ONLY) How will you contribute to the program as a veteran Explainer?
If hired, can you provide proof of employment eligibility in the United States?*
Are you able to perform the essential functions of the job for which you are applying, either with or without reasonable accommodation?*
If no, describe the functions that cannot be performed.
By signing and dating below, I certify that all of the information provided by me is true and correct. I understand that any false statements, misrepresentations or omissions of facts made by me in connection with this application will be sufficient grounds for rejection of consideration of this application or immediate discharge if I am employed.

I understand that nothing contained in this application or conveyed during any interview, if granted, or during my employment, if hired, is intended to create an employment contract between me and the Exploratorium or in any way obligate the Exploratorium to hire me. In addition, I understand that if I am hired, my employment if I am a non-bargaining unit employee, is at will and may be terminated at any time, with or without prior notice, at either the option of myself or the Exploratorium, and that no contrary promises or representations are binding on the Exploratorium unless made in writing and signed by me and the Exploratorium‘s designated representative. Represented employees are guided by the terms and conditions detailed in the collective bargaining agreement between SEIU and the Exploratorium.

I understand that the Exploratorium requires certain information about me to evaluate my suitability for employment. I authorize the Exploratorium to investigate my past employment and educational history and other background related activities. I hereby release the Exploratorium, its partners, employees, representatives and agents and those parties providing information to the Exploratorium from all liability in connection with such investigation and the release of such information. The Company will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with San Francisco's Fair Chance Ordinance.

I understand that in compliance with federal law I will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility.*
Date of application.*
The following questions are entirely optional.
To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.
Gender
Race/Ethnicity
Human Check*