Two Internships in Evaluation and Visitor Studies at OMSI

Two Internships in Evaluation and Visitor Studies at OMSI

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is seeking two interns in Evaluation and Visitor Studies.  These are unpaid positions which offer the successful candidates the opportunity to be involved with data collection and analysis at a major non-profit organization.  Applications for these positions are being accepted immediately, and the positions will remain open until filled.

positioN:  Evaluation and Visitor Studies Intern - Audio Labels Project

Summary of position:

The Evaluation and Visitor Studies Intern for the Audio Labels Project will work with the Project Evaluators to research the topic of “Who uses exhibit audio description labels, and how do they use them?”  The intern will conduct naturalistic observations and post-use interviews with OMSI visitors who use the audio labels in a nanotechnology exhibit.  Data will be entered, coded, and analyzed, resulting in a final summary report.  The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in better understanding how people learn in informal free-choice environments as well as an understanding of research methods and data analysis.  The candidate must learn quickly and perform well on multiple, simultaneous, diverse tasks. 

Essential duties and responsibilities:

Collect data in the field.  Data collection will involve conducting interviews, observations, or tracking in the museum.

Reduce and analyze evaluation data.  This includes entering the data into the appropriate software program and applying basic mathematical functions.

Write a summary report based on data analysis.

Knowledge/skills:

Excellent communication, organizational, and writing skills.

Ability to meet deadlines.

Good analytical skills.

Ability to interview museum audiences.

Ability to work effectively on a team as well as work independently.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word is desirable.

Education and work experience:

Experience in research (e.g., data collection methods).

Experience working with people in a public venue.

Ideally, applicants should be professionals in the field or be working toward a graduate degree.  Students enrolled in upper-level undergraduate coursework are also encouraged to apply.

Commitment:

6-8 weeks (project to be completed by September 30, 2009)

20 hours/week, depending on the phase of the project

***********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

position:  Evaluation and Visitor Studies Intern – Visitor Study Volunteer Coordinator

position summary:

The Evaluation and Visitor Studies department is looking for a motivated individual to serve as the Visitor Study Volunteer Coordinator for the WAVES (Water Avenue Visitor Experience Study) project this fall.  The project involves surveying visitors to learn more about their impressions of their OMSI visit(s).  Information gathered from the surveys helps inform OMSI staff on how to enhance vistors’ experiences and develop business practices that benefit the community.  

The Visitor Study Volunteer Coordinator’s main responsibility is to recruit, interview, train, and supervise WAVES Volunteer Interviewers.  The Volunteer Coordinator works closely with the Evaluation and Visitor Studies Manager and the Data Analyst Volunteer to develop research hypotheses and research methods, analyze data, and report data.  Along with self motivation, the position requires professionalism, attention to detail and concern for research quality.

essential duties and responsibilities:

Recruit, interview, train, and supervise volunteers for the WAVES project.

Maintain WAVES volunteer schedule.

Develop and organize project plans for future WAVES seasons.

Work with the Data Analyst to write a research report.

Present research report to OMSI management.

qualifications:

Interest in research and volunteer resource management.

Strong interpersonal communication skills and team orientation.

Familiarity with Excel and Word.

education and work experience:

Experience in research (e.g., data collection and searching literature).

Experience working with people in a public venue.

Ideally, applicants should be professionals in the field or be working toward a graduate degree.  Students enrolled in upper-level undergraduate coursework are also encouraged to apply.

commitment:

3 months minimum, 10-15 hours/week

For information on how to apply for these positions, please contact Carol Cruzan at [email protected].