Bell Museum Family Engagement/STEM Nights Coordinator

Appointment: This is a full time benefit eligibile position

Pay Range: $42,000-$47,000

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

College: College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

Campus Location: Based out of the Bell Museum- UMN St Paul Campus

The Family Engagement/STEM Nights Coordinator provides key support to the Bell Museum's Statewide Engagement department and the Public Engagement and Science Learning department. We are seeking someone to coordinate family and community STEM engagements among St Paul Public Schools and greater Minnesota communities in order to support and extend STEM learning beyond the classroom. We are seeking someone who is a proactive communicator who is great at handling a lot of moving pieces, coordinating people and details, and keeping projects running smoothly and on time with great attention to detail. This person will work with St Paul Public Schools, Twin Cities community organizations, and with school communities and groups throughout greater Minnesota to offer and provide engaging, high quality, and interactive STEM learning experiences, largely via STEM Nights. STEM Nights are family-friendly events, serving up to 200 people, featuring interactive, facilitated science activities that take place at the Bell Museum, schools, and community host sites in the Twin Cities Metro and across greater Minnesota. The Bell Museum piloted STEM Nights in 2022, providing participating schools and community organizations with ready-to-go kits of activities (including all necessary materials) and training so they could successfully host events at their sites (see: https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/stemnights/). In 2023, we have the opportunity to expand the STEM Nights Program to St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) and throughout greater Minnesota.

This position will be supervised by the Statewide Schools and Community Engagement Coordinator, with work supported by the Education Programs Manager.

About Statewide Engagement: Statewide Engagement (SWE) is a new department that is bringing STEM education and Bell Museum resources to Minnesota communities outside of the Twin Cities Metro Area. SWE works with educators, organizations, and community groups around the state of Minnesota in person, virtually, and through a variety of kit-based activity programs.

About Public Engagement and Science Learning: The Public Engagement and Science Learning (PESL) department develops and implements informal science learning experiences at the Bell Museum and in the Twin Cities Metro Area, through museum exhibits and gallery programs, the planetarium, and on-site K-12 and public science programs. PESL collaborates with SWE on kit-based STEM programs that reach beyond the Metro, including summer Science + Nature Kits (distributed to 10,000 students through partnerships with community and social service organizations) and STEM Nights.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Education program planning and development (45%)

• Work collaboratively with Bell educators on SWE and PESL teams and other relevant internal and external partners to identify and develop, and/or, assess and adapt activities, content, and timing for family/community STEM engagement programs
• Proactively communicate and collaborate with Bell staff to coordinate on-site program logistics.
• Conduct all relevant materials and supply acquisition, cost tracking, etc.
• Attend staff, team, and project-based meetings.
• Collaborate with Marketing team on promotions

Partner engagement (40%)

• Work in consultation with school and community partners to develop accessible and inclusive family programs.
• Collaborate with the Statewide team to package STEM experiences, prospect, and engage greater Minnesota school and scouting communities.
• Manage and track external communications with schools and community contacts.
• Regular travel for local site visits, to support relationship building.

Implementation and evaluation (15%)

• Coordinate and track school STEM Nights interest forms, applications, and agreements
• Seek feedback, evaluate and make recommendations for program adaptation.
• Directly support delivery and implementation of public programs and events, both on-site at the Bell Museum and off-site through community/school partnerships, including seasonal overnight travel in greater Minnesota.
• Seek feedback, implement evaluation plan (in consultation with project evaluator) and make recommendations for program adaptation.
• Maintain awareness of SPPS and other grant-related data and tracking needs, ensure plans to meet them, and support delivery of requested data and reports on-time.
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
* BA/ BS with at least 2 years of experience with program coordination or management in support of informal and/or formal education OR a combination of related education and work experience to equal six years
* Familiarity/experience with K-12 school systems.
* Demonstrated practical knowledge as it relates to program development and evaluation
* Demonstrated enthusiasm for science and natural history.
* Ability to exercise initiative, judgment, and make decisions within the scope of assigned authority.
* Experience keeping projects running smoothly and manage details and timelines.
* Excellent communicator and great at navigating different communication styles and personalities
* Operates with anti-racist priorities, values, and with a commitment to practical and
programmatic inclusion across diverse racial and cultural identities.
* Operates with respect and consideration for people of all abilities and can adapt to
varying needs.

Preferred:
* Experience working with/within St Paul Public Schools systems
* Experience working with/within greater Minnesota school systems
* Experience with cross team/departmental collaboration
* Experience working with/within scouts organizations and familiarity with badge system
* Familiarity with program design that meets school state standards
* Fluency in Spanish, Somali or another language in addition to English
* Proficient using Google Suite and Microsoft Office Programs, especially spreadsheets

Working Hours, Location, and Travel:
This position can be both sedentary or very active, depending on the situation. Most of the duties are performed on a computer or phone. Desk and workspaces are able to accommodate a wheelchair. Will be occasionally required to move heavier boxes and materials, accommodations will be provided as requested. Primarily Monday through Friday daytime work with occasional evenings and overnight travel in greater Minnesota.

The Bell ignites and sustains curiosity for nature and the universe.

The Bell Museum is Minnesota's official natural history museum, established by the legislature in 1872 and held in trust by the University of Minnesota. For 150 years, the museum has preserved and interpreted our state's rich natural history and served learners of all ages. Additionally, our scientific collections contain over one million specimens, representing every county in Minnesota and various locales around the globe, and the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Planetarium expands the mission to the universe and points beyond.

We are looking for individuals to join our team who are inspired by our mission to ignite and sustain curiosity for nature and the universe. We believe that difference is a strength and are looking for candidates that reflect and respect diversity. We encourage you to apply for the position even if you do not believe you meet every qualification.

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the for more information regarding benefits.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

Questions about the position can be directed to Kate Sigurdson, ksigurds@umn.edu.

We believe it is essential to create an environment that welcomes and empowers people from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities to have equitable access to the museum's resources as well as opportunities to transform our work. We are committed to upholding the diversity, equity, and inclusion definitions and values set forth by the and the .

These values will be integrated in all aspects of the museum, including:

• Hiring, recruitment, retention, and advancement of staff and volunteers
• Selection and evaluation of program and exhibition content
• Providing meaningful opportunities to participate in planning and leadership

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University's Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit:

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.