Exhibition and Experience Maintenance Assistant

Exhibition and Experience Maintenance Assistant

Summary

JoinWonderseekers, the charity behind Winchester Science Centre as our Exhibition and Experience Maintenance Assistant. This brand new role will play a vital hands on role in ensuring Winchester Science Centre delivers a safe, engaging and high-quality visitor experience every day. Working part-weekend and part-weekday mornings, this fixed term role (with extension possible) focuses on preparing, maintaining and monitoring interactive exhibits and public spaces, carrying out regular checks, basic fault finding, minor repairs and preventative maintenance to minimise downtime. You will work closely with the Technical Exhibit Officer and colleagues across the Centre, communicating clearly about exhibit performance and supporting planned maintenance and improvements. This is an ideal opportunity for someone practical, proactive and detail focused who enjoys maintaining interactive environments and contributing directly to inspiring children and families through science.

Hours: 18 or 22.5 hours per week (minimum 4 days)

Work Pattern: Saturday to Monday inclusive, 8am - 12.30pm (4.5 hours per day). Flexibility around 4th or 5th working day depending on the candidate's preferred number of hours and working pattern.

Salary: £25,500 per annum (full-time, pro rata for part-time hours). Actual salary £12,240 (18 hours per week) or £15,300 (22.5 hours per week) per annum.

Contract: Fixed-term until 30th September 2026 (with potential to extend depending on funding).

Line manager: Technical Exhibit Officer

Holiday: 25 days per annum plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time hours). Option to buy/sell some leave and gain additional days for continuous service after four years. The post-holder will not usually be expected to work bank holidays; however when duties require, time off in lieu will be available.

Location: Winchester Science Centre, Winchester, SO21 1HZ

Benefits: Cash health scheme, life assurance, buy/sell annual leave, long service holiday bonus, café and shop discount, free tickets to WSC and partner attractions, family friendly leave, wellbeing policy, mental health first aiders, cycle to work scheme, financial loans, flexible IT, casual dress, staff events, enhanced pension contribution, inflationary pay rise subject to charity performance and more.

Closing Date: We are looking to appoint as soon as possible so the position will be closed once a suitable candidate has been found. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

The Role

The Exhibition and Experience Maintenance Assistant (fixed term until 30 September) supports the Science Centre through a period of growth, ensuring our exhibits are ready to inspire every day. Playing a hands on role at the heart of our visitor experience, you will be responsible for keeping exhibits and public spaces safe, well presented and fully operational. Through regular checks, proactive maintenance and clear communication with colleagues across the organisation, you will help minimise downtime and maintain high standards. Your work is essential in delivering a consistent, high quality experience for all our visitors.

Key Responsibilities

• Open, power up and prepare all exhibition spaces and interactive exhibits ahead of daily public opening, ensuring full readiness.
• Carry out regular floor walks throughout the shift to monitor exhibit performance, proactively identify faults, and troubleshoot issues in real time.
• Perform basic fault finding, resets and minor repairs to interactive exhibits, escalating more complex issues to the Exhibit Technician.
• Maintain high standards of presentation across all exhibits, ensuring they are clean, safe, and fully operational at all times.
• Replenish consumables and materials within exhibits to ensure a seamless and engaging visitor experience.
• Support the Exhibit Technician with planned maintenance, repairs, and installation of new exhibits or upgrades.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues across teams, ensuring clear handover of information on exhibit status, faults, and actions taken, so that all staff are informed and the visitor experience remains consistent throughout the day.
• Undertake routine preventative maintenance checks to reduce downtime and extend the life of exhibits and equipment.
• Assist with general site and facilities maintenance tasks where required, including basic repairs and upkeep of public spaces.
• Adhere to all health and safety procedures, including electrical safety and safe manual handling practices, ensuring a safe environment for visitors and staff.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, faults, and actions taken, contributing to continuous improvement of exhibit reliability and quality.

Skills & Experience Required

• Basic practical maintenance skills, with the ability to carry out minor repairs and fixes.
• Understanding of electrical safety and ability to work safely around powered equipment.
• Ability to carry out manual handling tasks and work on your feet for extended periods.
• Good problem solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and take appropriate action.
• Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to spotting and resolving faults.
• High standards of quality control, particularly within a public facing exhibition environment.
• Confidence using basic tools and equipment safely.
• Good communication skills, able to provide clear updates and handovers to colleagues.
• Reliable, self motivated and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Previous experience in a caretaker, facilities, maintenance or similar hands on role.
• Basic power tool knowledge and experience using them safely.
• Experience working in a visitor attraction, museum, science centre or other public facing environment.
• Basic understanding of electrical or mechanical systems.
• Experience supporting preventative maintenance programmes.
• Familiarity with logging or reporting systems for faults and maintenance tasks.