About the Informal Education Internship: 

The Children’s Science Center Lab is seeking an adaptable, creative, articulate, dynamic, and highly motivated individual to join our team in the role of Informal Education Intern. The Informal Education Intern must be energetic, dependable individuals who enjoy working with children and their caregivers to inspire them to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Good public speaking, organizational, and guest service skills desired.  This position includes educational and general duties to support the daily operations of the Children’s Science Center Lab.

The intern must be able to work independently as well as on a team. The intern will facilitate meaningful and educational experiences for children aged 2-12 and caregivers at the Children’s Science Center Lab at Fair Oaks Mall. Support hands-on and exploratory activities throughout the Lab; may include support of off-site programs. This position reports to the Senior Manager of Operations.

COMPENSATION

The hourly rate for this position is $14.00

JOB RESPONSIBILITES

Interns will:

• Greet visitors in a friendly and positive way; respond to questions and needs in a positive and supportive manner;

• Learn about museum program activities, exhibits, and display competency in STEM topics demonstrated in activities and exhibits; be able to answer questions about the activity or topic; teach educational activities; participate in science demonstrations (training provided).

• Set up activities and activity spaces and follow the established guidelines, menu and schedule for activities;

• Maintain control of event space and visitors/students;

• Make safety a priority;

• Actively engage the audience;

• Help maintain the facility and exhibits to ensure high standard of safety, cleanliness, quality, and overall appearance;

• Restock supplies from storage and notify supervisory staff to reorder stock as necessary;

• Support special educational programs and events and birthday parties as needed;

• Help with basic facility maintenance to ensure a clean and attractive environment;

• Supporting offsite programs and act as an ambassador;

• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

Required Qualifications

• Pursuing a 4 year degree at a Virginia college or university with a focus on education, museum studies, or a field of science preferred; but not necessary
• Successful completion of a criminal background check.
• Successful completion of a national background check and drug screening may also be required.
• Be 18 years or older;
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license/ID and have reliable transportation to/from work;
• Be able to lift 50 pounds;
• Be able to stand for an extended period;
• Be available for an in-person internship at the Children’s Science Center Lab located in the Fair Oaks Mall;

Ideal Characteristics

• Experience working with children.
• A creative, imaginative, and innovative spirit coupled with a no fear attitude.
• Good leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• The ability to engage effectively with children, adults, and other staff members.
• Awareness and sensitivity in interacting with diverse populations, including those that are underserved.
• In addition to English, ability to speak Spanish and/or other languages.
• Passion for education and desire to promote STEM education to all populations.
• Flexibility.
• A fun-loving attitude.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an intern to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions:

Frequently required to:

• Speak and hear;
• Stand upright and/or walk on feet for up to five (5) hours at a time;
• Sit for up to five (5) hours at a time;
• Reach with arms and hands, including to raise arms overhead to move and lift up to thirty-five (35) pounds;
• Climb or balance;
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl;
• Move or lift at least fifty (50) pounds;
• Use hands and digits to manipulate, handle, and feel.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision (close vision at 20 inches or less), distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors), peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point), depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships), and ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus).

Occasionally required to:

• Smell;
• Perform repetitive motions;
• Use eye, hand, and foot coordination.

WORK ENVIRONMENT OF THE JOB

While performing the responsibilities of the job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the Informal Education Intern encounters. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

While performing the duties of this job, the intern is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions, and may be required to wear a protective lab coat, protective glasses, and/or protective gloves. Intern may be required to use chemicals with Material Safety Data Sheets provided. Interns may need to use very hot or very cold liquids. Interns may be required to utilize light tools and equipment in the performance of duties. The noise level in the work environment is typically moderate to loud.

CONCLUSION

This internship description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the Informal Education intern position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position. The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation reserves the right to revise duties as needed. Successful completion of a criminal background check is required.

The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process please contact hr@childsci.org.

The Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.

INTERNSHIP OUTLINE

The Informal Education Internship is a program that takes place in-person at the Children's Science Center Lab, located at the Fair Oaks Mall, 11948L Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA, 22033. 

This position requires working weekends. The remaining hours will be completed during the week between 9:00am-5:00pm. Scheduling is flexibile and will be coordinated with the intern. 

The intern will work approximately 20 hours per week. 

Start Date: On or around June 11th,2026

End Date: On or around August 19th, 2026

INTERVIEWS

Selected applicants will be invited for an in-person interview at the Children's Science Center Lab.

TO APPLY

This application will remain open until a candidate has been selected. 

Before you begin your application, please have the following items ready:

• Resume
• Cover Letter 

You will not be able to submit an application without uploading a Resume and Cover Letter. Resume and Cover Letter must be submitted as pdf files. 

The following questions are optional and are used for collection purposes only. They will not be used in the decision making process.