Supervisor, Community Science

About Spark 

TELUS Spark Science Centre (Spark), a registered educational charity, exists to entertain and inspire people of all ages through creative encounters with science, engineering, technology, math and art. Spark exists to lift people up with the power of curiosity through creative encounters with science!     

Calgary’s science centre is a pioneer in science entertainment and programming, with roots dating back to 1967. Home to one of Western Canada’s largest dome theatre, the Digital Immersion Gallery, VR experiences, and innovative spaces like Steven’s Lab, where interactive experiments unfold before your eyes. From the robot-dog Flint to Canada’s first robot-coa5ter, R05iE, and a 15-acre park surrounding the science of the developing brain, Spark is a hub for creative encounters. 

Position Overview 

Spark is currently recruiting for a contract, Supervisor, Community Science. The Supervisor, Community Science, is a vital member of our team, directly reporting to the Manager, Community Science. This role will play a pivotal part in the planning and execution of onsite camp, sleepover, and birthday party programs, with a primary focus on ensuring the success of onsite Camp Programs. The Supervisor, will coordinate day-to-day support, fostering a dynamic, hands-on youth program environment. Responsibilities include leading a large team of community science guides, ensuring consistent high-quality programming, as well as researching, developing, and preparing engaging STEAM-based activities. 

When Camps are in session, this role will lead daily team coordination, overseeing staff, programs, float staff, and volunteers. To support this coordination this role will collect, review, print, and organize all camp intake materials, such as waivers, sign-out sheets, and camper information cards. As required this role will troubleshoot issues during camp days, providing one-on-one support to campers and communicating developments to the Manager, Community Science . In addition, this role will contribute to the chain of communication between staff and guardians, handling Camp parent concerns and escalating issues to the Manager, Community Science as necessary.

When Camps are not in session, this role will focus on researching, planning, piloting, developing, maintaining, and documenting the 280 unique camp programs delivered annually, under the direction of the Manager, Community Science, ensuring brand alignment, developmental appropriateness, inventory supply, and budget adherence. . In addition to camps, this role is pivotal in supporting the supervision of the other Community Science programs such as birthday parties, sleepovers, and adult programming

Overall, this role requires a dedicated individual with strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills to contribute to the success of our vibrant catalogue of Community Science Connections Programming in this team- oriented position.

 Key Responsibilities 

Assist in the training and supervision of the Science Guide team for Camps. Support training for Birthday Parties, Sleepovers and Adult Learning Programs as required.   

Create and maintain program schedules for camps, included the scheduling of staff. Support the team lead, Community Science Connections with scheduling of Birthday Parties, Sleepovers and Adult Learning as required.   

Liaise with internal stakeholders to ensure all schedule needs are captured and coordinated. 

Providing extra support for campers with exceptionalities 

Day-to-day coordination of science guide team with such tasks as materials prep, support for challenging activities, filling in for leaders in case of illness, and providing support in cases of challenging Camper behaviours  

Supporting guardian and camper needs and providing excellent customer service while handling guardian concerns.  

Shopping for and transporting program materials to Spark.  

Provide support of Adult Learning Programs, Sleepovers, and Birthday Parties

Ensure personal and team activities are aligned with business and strategic goals of Spark as a whole. 

Model high performance, flexibility and kindness in a rapidly changing growth environment. 

Other duties as required and assigned. 

Researching, planning, and implementing fun, hands-on, STEAM-based learning experiences 

 Qualifications & Knowledge  

A minimum of 2 years experience or expertise in working with and leading groups school-aged children in a camp or school setting 

A minimum of 6 months experience or exposure to people leadership. 

A solid understanding of developing learning experiences for children and demonstrated passion for working with them. 

Able to react quickly and confidently in stressful situations.  

An empathic individual who can display a high amount of emotional intelligence. Comfortable with de-escalation and able to communicate well with either a child or guardian needing support, guidance, accountability or reassurance.  

Highly organized and confident professional with strong planning and communication skills. Capable of adapting and evolving execution plans as necessary. 

Fluency in Microsoft Office and able to use most platforms. 

A passion for Science Communication and STEAM based learning. A playful and creative individual who enjoys thinking out outside of the box. 

An inspiring and compassionate leader who cultivates a culture of high performance around them. 

A proven track record of adding value to an organization’s culture and initiatives. 

A positive attitude! 

Desire to work on a high performing team with a continuous upgrading culture to achieve high impact results. Fluidity and a desire to work hard and grow are essential. 

A high degree of creativity with the ability to leave your ego at the door. 

Willingness to learn and adapt to change. 

A clear criminal background check is required. 

Weekend availability required at some times throughout the year 

A valid drivers licence with a clear driver’s abstract is required; as offsite program materials acquisition is a function of this role.  

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, people of colour, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Spark, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace so if you are excited about this role, please apply! Excitement and passion for science can go a long way here so you may be just the right candidate for this or other roles at Spark. 

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.