Exhibit Designer - Museum jobs in Minneapolis, MN

Traveling Exhibit Fabricator IIIs are museum staff who work primarily leading installations and deinstallations of SMM’s traveling exhibits at host locations nationally and internationally. When not traveling, they work in the museum's exhibit shops, engaged in all aspects of exhibit creation, from preliminary development and design through fabrication, testing, installation, de-installation, packing, loading, and disposal. Traveling Exhibit Fabricator IIIs are frequently entrusted with broad responsibilities within the exhibit installation process and exhibit production process, solving problems of function and design, and working with minimal oversight to ensure successful exhibit touring and exhibit production needs are met. They are expected to work effectively as part of a collaborative team, working with clients, experience developers and designers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the content, look, and feel of each exhibit meets all of the requirements and expectations that have been established.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

As assigned, travel up to 6 weeks at a time nationally and internationally to install or

deinstall SMM traveling exhibits. When traveling:

• Supervise both SMM and host museum crew members at offsite work locations,

select and provide necessary resources (tools, hardware and equipment) and guide

their work in exhibition handling, assembly, and maintenance procedures adhering

to a shifting work plan.

• Lead and support a safe work environment; model and maintain safety standards in

all work team activities and behavior; anticipate potential safety hazards and work

diligently to avoid them.

• Assist supervisor in planning design, logistical and operational aspects of the

assigned traveling exhibition’s changeover processes; implement this plan on time

and within scope, following changeover procedures.

• Observe, analyze, notate and report to their supervisor opportunities for greater

safety, efficiency, accuracy and cost savings in work processes and then implement

any newly formalized changes in related work procedures.

• Identify and diagnose potential defects or wear developing in the exhibition’s

components or operation which could compromise its appearance, reliability,

functionality and safety for the visitor. Inform supervisor of replacement material

needs. Make approved purchases and address the exhibition’s needs without

hesitation.

• Provide, as needed, leadership in specialized sets of skill and experience. Examples

of these specialized experience/skills include but are not limited to object

conditioning and conservation, automated show control monitoring and repair, or

rigging expertise.

• Assist in evaluating Tour Techs and motivate them to provide the best possible

traveling exhibition handling and client experience.

• Professionally represent SMM as a member of the installation or strike team during

all interactions with host museum staff and visitors.

• Work closely with traveling exhibits managers and host museums to plan logistics

and schedules for upcoming exhibit changeovers.

As part of a team managed by a project manager or department managers, and in

collaboration with other production staff, other division staff, clients, and other

stakeholders, work to move preliminary ideas for exhibits through an iterative process of

design, building, and testing that culminates in finished exhibits that are safe, engaging,

and durable.

Research and study science content areas, specific phenomena, exhibit topics, etc. as

required, to develop a solid understanding of the scientific and engineering aspects of our

exhibits, and the messages they are intended to convey.

Develop ideas for physical interactive experiences that demonstrate science concepts and

phenomena in safe, engaging, and practical ways.

Fabricate exhibit components, whole exhibits, or groups of exhibits, as assigned, alone or

in production team environments, in situations requiring very high levels of fabrication

skills, problem solving ability, mature independent judgment, and understanding of the

values and goals of the museum and a particular project.

Fabricate exhibits, drawing on a broad range of demonstrated skills, including but not

limited to:

a. CAD/CAM processes (3D drafting, CNC technology including laser cutter, 3D printer

and router)

b. Electronics (Arduino and other microcomputers, sensors, discrete electronics, and

circuit board design)

c. Automation (pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical)

d. Welding and other metal-working processes

e. Finish carpentry and cabinet making

f. Finishing with paints and other coatings, plastic laminates, and other sheet goods

g. Machining (using lathes and stationary mills) in plastics, steel, and other metals.

h. Other advanced fabrication and rapid prototyping skills

Function effectively in a collaborative environment, either as an engaged and committed

team member, or as a leader within small formal or informal groups within the Production

Department community.

Work as a member of an Exhibits Production team on exhibit installations as assigned,

either at SMM or at other locations.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Competencies:

Communication: Expresses oneself clearly in conversations and interactions with others and ensures that information is shared with others who should be informed.

Collaboration: Develops, maintains, and strengthens partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide information, assistance, and support.

Customer Service: Demonstrates an understanding of the SMM mission by ensuring that their own interactions with internal and external customers consistently support the mission.

Fostering an Inclusive Community: Contributes to a museum environment, and people, that reflect and respond to the diverse needs and cultures of our community (internal and external).

Results Orientation: Focuses on providing a best in class visitor experience through work outcomes by meeting personal and organizational work objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: No formal education requirements

Experience:

Experience in a custom fabrication shop environment.

Demonstrated history of achievement and excellence in all aspects of fabrication work.

Demonstrated intermediate or advanced skills and experience in fabrication areas (e.g. mold making and casting, electronics, cutting and sewing, drawing and drafting, etc.)

Demonstrated ability and willingness to acquire and master new skills as required to accomplish assigned project tasks.

Experience leading others in theater set, trade show booth, complex three-dimensional art show or museum exhibition assembly, maintenance and packing.

Practical computer hardware & software maintenance experience required.

Significant client or customer service experience preferred.

Experience working in a traveling environment strongly preferred.

Certifications: Valid driver’s license required. Scissors lift, rigging, and/or forklift certifications valued but not required.

Other Details:

Work Environment: Primarily traveling and in host museums nationally and internationally, as well as exhibit production shops at SMM, and a second location also in downtown St. Paul. Occasional work in public areas at SMM. When assigned to a traveling exhibition changeover, long periods away from home are required; approximately 2-6 weeks every 3-6 months.

The starting pay range for this role is $29-$31/hr. Traveling Exhibit Fabricators receive an additional $9 hourly on top of their regular wage when traveling for exhibit installations and deinstallations or working with host museums to arrange logistics for the installs.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)