Exhibit Operations Specialist I

Exhibit Operations Specialist I

Full Time

Union Position

About the Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium connects people to the universe and each other. Whether introducing a guest to the Ring Nebula, a neighborhood school to a community partner, a research team to a network of citizen scientists, or one staff member to another, the Adler's focus on meaningful connections dates back nearly a century.

Today, the museum typically hosts more than half a million visitors annually and reaches millions more through youth STEAM programs, neighborhood skywatching events, online citizen science, and other outreach efforts. With Adler's support, people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities gain the confidence to explore their universe together and return to their communities ready to think critically and creatively about any challenge that comes their way.

The Position

The Adler Planetarium is seeking an Exhibit Operations Specialist I to join our dynamic team on

Chicago's Museum Campus. The Exhibit Operations Specialist will oversee the opening and closing of

exhibit galleries, perform routine maintenance, and ensure the optimal condition of exhibit spaces.

Daily tasks include cleaning, conducting rounds, troubleshooting and repair, and maintaining the

appearance of exhibits, galleries, and public spaces. The role also supports the Exhibits team with

projects such as new exhibit builds, installations, digital wiring, graphic placement, and the upkeep of

both mechanical and digital components. This is a union position with the Adler Planetarium Workers United, AFSCME Council 31.

This individual will also be responsible for:

• 
  Open and close museum exhibits and galleries, including turning on/off interactive components, equipment, computers, and lighting, and ensuring all components are clean and in safe working condition.

• 
  Serve as Exhibits support staff for Adler-sponsored evening events as assigned.

• 
  Inspect exhibits, galleries, displays, design lab spaces, and signage daily for wear and tear;

determine repair/refurbish needs and perform minor repairs and maintenance as necessary.

• 
  Respond to radio calls and take corrective action as needed or escalate issues to other staff.

• 
  Perform routine cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, mopping, scrubbing, and removing dirt,

monitoring exhibits for wear and tear, supporting digital exhibitry wiring, installation, and

conducting preventive maintenance on exhibit components (e.g., replacing wires, cables, lights,

lenses, batteries, switches, keyboards, circuit boards, motors).

• 
  Handle material tasks such as emptying trash receptacles, loading/unloading trucks.

• 
  Execute larger maintenance projects as assigned, such as recabling, rewiring exhibits,

inspecting and replacing mechanical components (belts, bearings, pulleys, motors), cleaning

and lubricating interactive components, repainting galleries, and replacing graphics and signage.

• 
  Assist with larger Exhibits team projects, including new exhibit production, major paint jobs,

and graphic installations; support the maintenance of digital exhibit components.

• 
  Provide a positive customer-facing experience by presenting a neat, professional appearance,

Treating guests with respect and assisting them to enhance their visit.

The Work Schedule

The typical work schedule for this position is 35 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday, from 7 AM to 3 PM or 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Some Wednesday mornings, 8 AM to 4 PM, or Wednesday evenings, 2 PM to 10 PM. Some early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and Holidays as assigned.

The Compensation & Benefits (Full-Time)

Base Pay Range: $23.00-$24.59/hr

Work-Life Balance

• 35-hour workweek

• Eligible to accrue up to 12 vacation days per year to start

• 3 sick days as of date of hire (can accrue up to 6.5 days per year)

• 7 Adler paid holidays

• 4 Personal Holidays (Prorated for new hires starting after January 1st)

• Flexible Work Arrangements

• Paid Family Bereavement Leave & Jury Duty

• Paid Parental Leave

Competitive Health Coverage

• Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance

• Healthcare, Dependent Care & Commuter flexible spending accounts

• Adler Paid Short-Term Disability insurance

Retirement Savings Plan

• 403B plan with Adler match

• Adler's match is 100% vested immediately

• Eligible to enroll as of the date of hire

Network of Support through our EAP programs

• Resources to help address emotional, legal, and financial issues

• Face-to-face, telephonic, and web-based services

• Free subscription to the Calm Premium app

Employee Loan Program

Discounted Onsite Parking Program

Free Entrance to Chicago area museums and cultural institutions

The Person

We're looking for a reliable, detail-oriented team player with experience in museum operations,

preventative and general maintenance, Carpentry, hands-on work, and repairs. The ideal candidate is

comfortable working in tight spaces or at heights, can lift 50 pounds or more, and brings strong

communication, time management, and problem-solving skills. A willingness to learn new

technologies, improve existing skills, and adapt to challenges is essential. If you take pride in your work and enjoy collaborating with others, we'd be excited to hear from you!

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED

• Minimum of two years of work experience
• General fabrication and construction skills; familiarity with carpenter's shop, hand tools, power tools

tools, CNC machines, and standard shop equipment

• Wall framing, sheathing, drywall patching, and painting skills
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull loads of up to 50+lbs
• Comfort working at elevated heights and in awkward spaces
• Basic computer skills and experience with web searching and office software; strong aptitude

for learning new technology

• Ability to learn and retain new skills and a strong desire to improve existing skills
• Efficient time-management skills and ability to complete tasks accurately and on time
• Commitment to consistent, high-quality, detail-oriented work
• Reliable attendance and a strong work ethic
• Team-oriented with the ability to work independently when appropriate
• Ability to make decisions impacting staff and guest experience
• Ability to take action to shut down exhibits or components in case of safety or operational issues

concerns

• Ability to determine when an issue should be escalated or resolved quickly
• Ability to work in physically demanding environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree or 3+ years of professional work experience
• OSHA General Industry Safety, Ladder/Lift Training
• Carpenter's shop experience
• Experience in museum operations, audio-visual production, theatrical production/stagehand

work, entertainment, or exhibitions

• Proficiency with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, IT, and interactive technology (appreciated but not required)

required)

• Experience with Google GSuite, Slack, MS Office Suite

The Adler Planetarium is dedicated to complying with its Equal Opportunity Employer obligations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email the Human Resources Department at [email protected] and provide the nature of your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.