Assistant Technical Manager

About the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center
Kamin Science Center is dedicated to inspiring learning and curiosity by connecting science and technology with everyday life. By making science both relevant and fun, the Science Center’s goal is to increase science literacy in the region and motivate young people to seek careers in science and technology. One of the four Carnegie Museums, the Science Center is Pittsburgh’s premier science exploration destination and the region’s most visited museum, reaching more than 500,000 people annually through its hands-on exhibits, camps, classes, and educational programs.

This Full-Time position is eligible for the Carnegie Museums’ many Benefits.

Please scroll to the bottom of this page to see information on the starting pay rate.

The Assistant Technical Manager is responsible for assisting the Senior Technical Manager in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the AV and Technical Maintenance technicians. This position helps to coordinate the schedules, tasks, and materials needed on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. In addition to this work, this position also spends time on the gallery floors servicing/maintaining exhibits and audio visual equipment, as well as addressing the needs of the institution for theaters, special events, media set-ups, exhibitions, etc.
Alongside the Senior Technical Director, the Assistant Technical Manager will help to provide the leadership and support necessary to ensure the continual positive evolution of both mechanical and audio visual based experiences throughout the Kamin Science Center (KSC).

QUALIFICATIONS:EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Requires some college or technical school coursework related to a career in technical and audiovisual equipment; will consider commensurate work experience.
• Must have at least 3 years of experience in a related area.
• Must have team coordination, logistics, and planning skills.
• Strong technical competency is required.
• Experience using cue-based software, light, and sound boards is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Position requires computer skills as they relate to producing documents, schedules, spreadsheets, etc.
• Must be very organized, able to plan/define, coordinate and track/report the work of others, be flexible to an always-changing environment, and enjoy being in a public environment.
• Strong written and verbal communications experience is a must to coordinate between internal technical and management staff, as well as external customers and vendors/suppliers.
• Practical/hands-on working experience needed in personal computer and peripheral equipment systems.

MACHINES, EQUIPMENT, AND SOFTWARE:

• Willingness to learn and use hand and power tools of varying size and complexity, ladders, scissor lift, material handling equipment (pallet jack, forklift, dollies, etc.).
• Familiarity with electronic equipment such as Raspberry Pi, Arduino, 3d printers, computers, and advanced multimedia systems.
• Knowledge in Adobe Creative Suite and video editing preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Job is mobile in nature and requires navigating throughout the Science Center and the various theaters
• Ability to lift 50 pounds, climb tall ladders, utilize lifts at heights of up to 25 feet.
• Ability to bend, turn, lie on floor (such as reaching into exhibit cabinets) to complete work.
• Ability to work in all reasonable weather conditions.
• Working in areas where food is processed including nuts, eggs and other dairy products as well as chemicals used for science education.

Candidates will be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Supervises all levels of KSC Technicians throughout the Science Center, as well as necessary support for projects, events, presentations, etc. Ensures that all necessary technical needs, specifications, maintenance (preventative and corrective), and schedules are operating at 100%. Contributes directly as support for the KSC Technicians, as well as various supporting teams.
• Prepares/coordinates the daily schedules and tasks of the KSC Technicians, as well as monitoring performance, assigning particular roles, and recommending hiring, coaching, and disciplinary actions.
• Develops, updates and monitors policies, procedure manuals, and equipment, supply and materials inventories.
• Secures necessary materials/supplies.
• Ensures event deadlines’ requirements and configuration needs are met as outlined by special events or client technical staff. Works with the events supervisors to maintain necessary paperwork documenting event needs.
• Assists other departments and teams within KSC as directed by the Senior Technical Director.
• All other duties as assigned.

In addition to the specific tasks above, the position is expected to reflect standard Kamin Science Center practices.

GENERAL MANAGER-LEVEL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Actively seek professional growth opportunities and keep abreast of new and emerging technologies, techniques, and applications within both the science/technology field and the museum/visitor experience field to grow professionally and to ensure and improve the relevance, quality, and effectiveness of all departmental programs and priorities.
• At all times, uphold KSC’s Four Keys of Operation: Safety, Courtesy, The Experience, and Efficiency; interact with all colleagues in a professional and respectful manner in accordance with Kamin Science Center Community Norms.
• Serve at all times as an exemplary advocate for and model of KSC’s values and demonstrate a commitment to inclusion and accessibility efforts at the museum.
• Intentionally look for and foster opportunities to collaborate with other Science Center departments and/or Carnegie Museums components to eliminate programmatic silos and create a holistic visitor experience.
• Provide “front line” support, as needed, over the course of the year during times of peak visitation (e.g. holidays, special events, STEM competitions, etc.)
• Maintain basic departmental responsibilities (timely email, phone, communication; calendar management; regular availability for meetings between 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday – Friday)
• Perform other activities as required by your supervisor.

The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.

Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.

• GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. An individual is qualified if he or she can perform the essential functions of a job with or without reasonable accommodation. An essential job function is any task that is a fundamental part of the job. When considering essentiality, one must focus upon whether the function is essential to this particular job and not to the department as a whole. Some additional guidance on essential functions follows below. Please note that the following guidelines are non-exhaustive. If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources. A. Is the function required to be performed on a regular basis? If the function is rarely performed, it may not be essential. B. Is the function highly specialized? Is the incumbent hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function? The need for special expertise is an indication of an essential function. C. Does the position exist, at least in part, to perform the function? If so, the function is more likely to be essential. D. How much time is spent performing the function and how often? Note that even functions performed 10% of the time could be essential if they are required on a regular basis. E. Would elimination of the function fundamentally alter the job? If so, the function is more likely to be essential. F. What are the consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function? If they are significant, the function is more likely to be essential. G. Are there a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function could be distributed if the incumbent could not perform it? If so, it is more likely to be essential.