Community Program Specialist – St. Paul, MN

Organization: Monarch Lab, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus

Position Title: Community Program Specialist

Location: St. Paul, MN

Hours & Compensation: Full-time. No salary information posted.

Application Deadline: None posted.

Posted On: June 14, 2013.

Organization Overview:

MonarchLab, http://www.monarchlab.org

Description:

The community program specialist will work with the Monarch Lab PI and staff to conduct, plan and organize science-based conservation and outreach programs, including Monarchs in the Classroom, the Monarch Larva Monitoring Project, and the Monarch Joint Venture. The position involves performing and completing projects using independent judgment; administrative coordination; coordination of program communications (reports, correspondence, newsletters, grant proposals, outreach materials, evaluations, and website); implementing and managing a large database that includes event registrations, publications, reports, and customer records; interpersonal communication with scientists and students; coordination of program budgets; working with outside consultants and vendors; evaluating the success of various projects and making recommendations for improvement; and scheduling, training and directing lower level staff, including students workers.

Responsibilities:

• Supervision and training of other staff and lab members (10%): Supervise information technology specialist, undergraduate researchers and program assistants (1 FT during the summer, 2-4 PT during summer and academic year) and research volunteers (undergraduate, graduate and teachers during the summer). Involvement in hiring, discipline, and promotion decisions.
• Communication (20%): Responsibility for communication about projects with teachers, students, scientists, naturalists, and members of the public. This communication will involve answering questions about project methods, planning (finding presentation venues, developing program content, and creating materials) and giving public presentations, interpreting project results, and having main responsibility for writing newsletters for programs (including articles explaining the scientific results of the programs). In addition, it will involve overseeing communication among UM personnel involved in the programs.
• Travel (10%): Conducting and planning workshops in locations throughout the US, representing the Monarch Lab at meetings and events, planning and conducting Monarchs in the Classroom training sessions. Giving presentations at national conferences on the work and findings of the Monarch Lab.
• Database management (15%): Manage customer databases, billing and filling materials orders for the Monarchs in the Classroom program (or supervising others who help with these activities).
• Development, improvement, stocking, and distribution of outreach materials sold through the Monarch Lab (10%): Develop content for curriculum materials that are used by teachers and informal science educators throughout the US (CDs, videos, posters, curriculum guides, etc.).
• Lab and field work (10%): While most lab work is done by other staff supervised by the Community Program Specialist, all members of the lab participate in lab and field work to varying extents.
• Teaching (20%): Being a key member of the Monarch Lab teaching team, preparing and presenting curriculum during workshops with national audiences, being involved with program evaluation.
• Grant writing and planning of future  programs and activities (5%): Grant writing and finding possible sources of funding for project activities, as well as developing new programmatic directions for the projects.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Undergraduate degree, or experience in biology, environmental education, environmental science, or related field to total 4 years.
• Experience working in a position that required strong organizational skills, including managing multiple tasks effectively, keeping track of and meeting deadlines.
• Experience communicating to diverse audiences using various communication technologies – email, phone, social networking, etc.
• Experience working with teachers, naturalists, and other members of the public.
• Demonstrated customer service skills.
• Experience working with Microsoft tools, especially Access, Excel and Word.
• Public speaking experiences (audiences from pre-school to senior citizens).
• Experience teaching in non-formal learning environments.
• Strong biological or environmental science background.

Preferred:

• Education in biology, environmental education, environmental science, or related field.
• Experience working in a research lab, rearing insects, and managing data, including budgets.
• Experience writing newsletters and curriculum.
• Experience working with budgets and contracts.
• Grant writing experience.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience using social media to promote programs.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in teams.
• Ability to find information quickly using internal and external resources.

How to Apply:

Please apply via the online employment system at: employment.umn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=111844.

Submit a cover letter, current CV, and names and contact information for three references. Your cover letter should describe your people skills, and the motivation and responsibility that you possess that will allow you to work with a minimum of direct supervision.

Contact Information:

Monarch Lab, http://www.monarchlab.org

Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, 1980 Folwell Avenue, 200 Hodson Hall, St. Paul, MN 55108

Job URL: https://employment.umn.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/position/JobDetails_css.jsp?postingId=620001