Discovery Centre
Mission: Bring STEAM to life through hands-on science
learning experiences. Discovery Centre’s mandate is advanced
through the presentation of high-quality STEAM educational
experiences.
Content Developer Assistant
Department: Exhibits & Facilities
Supervisor: Director of Exhibits & Facilities
Position Category: Full time co-op
Wage: $17.00 per hour
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week; 16 weeks
Start Date: May 15, 2023
Application Deadline: March 1, 2023
Position Summary:
For over 35 years, the Discovery Centre has developed a reputation for being Nova Scotia’s
leader in the delivery of exciting hands-on, minds-on science programming for youth.
The Content Developer Assistant is a motivated, innovative, articulate, and highly organized
writer who assists in a variety of exhibit development functions. They have an insatiable
curiosity about the world, a natural talent for telling a story, a post-secondary education,
excellent verbal and writing skills, and the ability to think conceptually.
Description of Tasks:
The Content Developer Assistant works in the Exhibits & Facilities department and reports to
the Director of Exhibits & Facilities. The primary tasks of the position are:
• Determining the scope, content, and focus of interpretive and educational exhibit
messages in coordination with the Director of Exhibits & Facilities
• Coordinating the development of project components in conjunction with the design
team
• Executing research and field work
• Writing concise science content at a variety of reading levels
• Developing relationships with experts to vet content
Qualifications:
Education: Post-secondary studies, preferably in a STEM field
Experience: 2-3 years writing experience; experience with design, museum, or exhibit
environments would be an asset
Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required; additional languages (especially French)
considered an asset
Competencies:
• Exceptional communication skills
• Innovative and creative
• Able to take initiative
• Highly organized
• Strong writing skills
• Works well as part of a team
Working Conditions: This position requires field research in a variety of locations.
Eligibility: Applicants must be current students returning to post-secondary studies in Fall 2023
and must qualify for the Nova Scotia Co-op Program in order to be considered.
Workplan:
Weeks 1-2: Training and orientation, including occupational health and safety,
building and operations, job-specific training, and Discovery Centre as
a whole; team meetings; review of position objectives
Weeks 3-16: Research, writing, contacting experts, reviewing, meetings with team
members and supervisor, and field work
Week 16: Compiling of final report; making recommendations for future content
development; debriefing with supervisor; performance evaluation
Measurable Outcomes:
The Content Developer Assistant will:
• Conduct background research and synthesize the key messaging for use in content
creation
• Write interpretive and instructional text for interactive exhibits
• Review and respond to feedback from the exhibits staff team and content experts as
required
• Complete an end-of-term report on the project and make recommendations for future
of content development for exhibits
The student will understand and take ownership of outcomes through a combination of
training, self-directed study, and ongoing support from their manager and team. Through
regular communication with their manager, incremental objectives will be set to ensure
progress. One mid-term performance evaluation will be conducted, and the successful
completion of outcomes will be addressed in this meeting and in a final performance
evaluation. At the end of the 16 weeks, the Director of Exhibits & Facilities will provide the
student with an overall assessment of their performance.
Employability Skills:
After their employment at the Discovery Centre, the Content Developer Assistant is expected to
have acquired, or improved upon, the following skills:
• Communication
• Digital skills
• Writing
• Community engagement
• Information management
• Innovation
• Working safely
• Problem-solving
• Flexibility
• Adaptability
• Creativity
• Research
This position is an excellent opportunity for any student that is continuing in science, or who is
interested in a career in a museum/exhibit environment or any career where writing is
required.
Orientation and Training:
The Content Developer Assistant’s orientation will include a briefing on the Discovery Centre
and the Exhibits & Facilities department. There will also be a briefing on the communication
requirement for exhibits and how the content is related to visitation, including meeting the
objectives of a science museum. Each content development project activity will be addressed in
detail and planned in close cooperation with the Centre’s exhibits staff team.
Occupational health and safety is a key organizational priority for the Discovery Centre, so the
individual will receive thorough training on the Centre’s occupational health and safety policies
and procedures, emergency protocols, building safety, first aid training (if applicable), and any
safety training that is specific to their role.
The individual will be given all applicable Discovery Centre policies, including the respectful
workplace policy and code of conduct. They will be required to familiarize themselves with
these policies and uphold the values and responsibilities outlined in them.
The Content Developer Assistant will be required to participate in general staff meetings and
department meetings. They will be encouraged to be as familiar with our Centre and its modes
of operation as possible.
Supervision:
Name: Ruth Munro
Title: Director of Exhibits & Facilities
Phone: 902-492-4422 ext. 2243
Email: rmunro@thediscoverycentre.ca
Mailing address: 1215 Lower Water Street, Halifax NS, B3J 3S8
Application:
Opportunity is Dependent on Funding
Applications are to be emailed to recruitment@thediscoverycentre.ca. Applicants are to
submit their resume, cover letter, and references. Please note the position that you are
applying for in the subject line of your email application. All applications will be reviewed but
only those chosen for an interview will be contacted. All applicants are thanked in advance for
their interest. Please note: this position is dependent upon receipt of funding.
Discovery Centre is committed to leveraging our facility, people, and programming to create
inclusive spaces that ignite a passion for science and discovery. We are also committed to
advancing diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility practices within our workplace, public
engagement spaces, and programming. Our Centre’s Board of Directors, management, and staff
believe diverse participation and representation are essential and that our networks thrive
when we create an inclusive and equitable culture where all people can see themselves
reflected, feel respected, and have their contributions valued.
Discovery Centre promotes equal employment opportunities for all job applicants, and we
encourage applications from candidates who self-identify as a member of an underrepresented
group, including Indigenous people (especially Mi’kmaq), people of Black/African descent
(especially African Nova Scotians), members of other racialized groups, women, people with
disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with
the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation
process, please contact recruitment@thediscoverycentre.ca to request specialized
accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept
confidential