Science Activator - Unilingual (English) & Bilingual (English/French)

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Apply By: Monday, November 16, 2026 11:59 pm EST

Science Activator - Unilingual (English) & Bilingual (English/French)

Job ID:

250947

Posting status:

Open

Organization:

Ontario Science Centre

Division:

Learning and Engagement / Public Programs and Community Engagement

City:

Toronto

Position(s) language:

Both English and bilingual

Job term:

2 Temporary - up to 12 months

Job code:

02924 - Museum Assistant 2

Salary:

$1,132.66 - $1,318.97 Per week*
*Indicates the salary listed as per the OPSEU Collective Agreement.

Apply now

Accessibility support

Turn curiosity into discovery as a Science Activator. Join the Ontario Science Centre team and help create experiences that spark wonder, invite participation and make science unforgettable.

Experiment, investigate, build, test and explore alongside our visitors. Research emerging STEM topics and help create playful, hands-on programming across Science Centre, community, outdoor and virtual settings.

About the job

Please be advised that the address for this position is 235 Queen Quay West, Toronto, Ontario

You will:
• facilitate STEM programs, experiments, demonstrations, workshops, special events and activations for children, families and diverse audiences across Ontario Science Centre locations, community and outdoor settings, and virtual platforms
• create welcoming, participatory and hands-on experiences that invite visitors to experiment, collaborate, make choices and discover, adapting your approach for different ages, interests, abilities, sensory needs and ways of participating
• use questions, prompts and observations to follow visitor curiosity, deepen exploration and create memorable science “aha” moments, while sharing insights that help strengthen accessibility, audience engagement and program effectiveness
• research science content and emerging STEM topics and, in collaboration with colleagues, contribute ideas and help develop, prototype, test, adapt and refine activities, experiments, demonstrations, programs and resources
• prepare, test, operate and troubleshoot program materials, scientific equipment, demonstrations, audiovisual resources and virtual delivery tools, following health, safety and accessibility requirements
• contribute to public-facing science communication through in-person, digital and media channels, and support festivals, fairs, facility rentals and project teams as required

Hours and availability
• These positions are irregularly scheduled for 0-36.25 hours per week, with no guaranteed minimum. Hours are scheduled on an as-needed basis
• Shifts will include evenings, weekends and statutory holidays as required
• The Science Centre operates 364 days a year and closes on December 25
• Occasional off-site assignments, travel and overnight stays may be required

The number of positions to be filled
• Up to 10 unilingual (English) Science Activators
• Up to 5 bilingual (English/French) Science Activators

What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

You must:
• You must be available to work weekends and statutory holidays when required.
• (Only if you are applying to the bilingual position) possess French-language proficiency in both written and spoken communication at the advanced plus level. Your proficiency level will be confirmed before hiring.

Audience engagement and facilitation

You have:
• experience creating or facilitating participatory, hands-on, inquiry-based, play-based and collaborative experiences for children, families and diverse public audiences
• strong facilitation, presentation and interpersonal skills to create welcoming, energetic, accessible and inclusive environments
• ability to observe and respond to audience interests and needs, using prompts and conversation to deepen exploration and create memorable moments of discovery
• ability to adapt content, language, pace and facilitation for different ages and stages of development, interests, abilities, sensory needs and ways of participating, including opportunities for children and adults to explore and discover together
• ability to engage audiences at different scales, from informal interactions and hands-on investigations to larger demonstrations, workshops, events and community programs

STEM knowledge and science communication

You have:
• knowledge of STEM concepts, current research and emerging topics, and the research skills to bring accurate, relevant and engaging science to public audiences
• ability to communicate scientific ideas clearly, accurately, and accessibly for diverse audiences
• understanding of hands-on and inquiry-based approaches that encourage questioning, observation, prediction, experimentation and discovery
• experience preparing or supporting hands-on activities, experiments, demonstrations, making or tinkering in a science, education, cultural or community setting
• research and writing skills to contribute to program materials and to communicate science through in-person, digital and media formats

Creative thinking and continuous improvement

You can:
• bring curiosity, creativity and practical ideas to brainstorming and shaping public programs and activities
• contribute to developing, testing, prototyping, adapting and refining STEM activities, demonstrations, programs and resources
• observe how visitors participate and use those observations to help strengthen accessibility, inclusion, engagement and program effectiveness
• apply accessibility, equity, inclusion, anti-racism and culturally responsive practices when developing and adapting programs and activities
• consider how programming can respond to different places, audiences, environments and communities, including through site-responsive and nature-based approaches

Collaboration, adaptability and practical skills

You have:
• collaboration and teamwork skills to work effectively with colleagues, community partners, contractors, volunteers and project teams
• flexibility and sound judgement to respond to changing audiences, activities, locations and program requirements
• problem-solving skills to respond to unexpected situations and program-delivery challenges
• ability to safely prepare, use and troubleshoot program materials, scientific equipment, audiovisual resources and virtual tools for program delivery

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

What we offer

An opportunity to bring science to life across Ontario Science Centre locations, community and outdoor settings, and virtual platforms; work directly with visitors; contribute to research and program development; and communicate science through live, digital and media experiences.

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:
• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
• a modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment

Additional information:

Apply by:

Monday, November 16, 2026 11:59 pm EST

Position details:

• 1 English Temporary - Irregular On-Call, duration up to 12 months, 777 Bay St, Toronto, Toronto Region
• 1 Bilingual English/French Temporary - Irregular On-Call, duration up to 12 months, 777 Bay St, Toronto, Toronto Region

Compensation group:

Ontario Public Service Employees Union

Work hours:

Schedule 3-A

Category:

Customer and Client Services

Posted on:

Friday, October 30, 2026

Note:

• This ad is also available in French.

How to apply:

1. You must apply online.
2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.

Exigences en matière de langue et évaluation:
Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario (FPO) sont affichées en français et en anglais. Consultez la section « Langue du ou des postes » en haut de chaque offre d'emploi pour connaître les exigences linguistiques. Pour tous les postes, les candidats sont évalués en anglais, la langue d'affaires de la FPO. Si le poste est bilingue (anglais/français), vous devrez également passer un test de compétences linguistiques en français.

Strengthening Ontario, together