Bug Zoo Program Specialist
About The Position
Under the supervision of the Department of Entomology Manager of Community Outreach, this position manages operations and programming for the Department of Entomology’s United Titanium Bug Zoo (UTBZ) on the CFAES Wooster campus. The role involves assisting with the design of educational outreach activities and curriculum focused on entomology and related fields, collaborating on planning, delivery, and evaluation of programming both on-site and off-site. It includes delivering in-person and virtual educational activities, offering classroom visits, and facilitating public tours. The specialist will maintain knowledge of state educational standards, coordinate visits, and assist in developing assessment tools for outreach impact. There is a strong focus on K-12 outreach aligned with state science education standards and public outreach for all ages emphasizing the work of the Department of Entomology and CFAES. Additionally, the role involves following standard operating procedures for arthropod care, including handling, waste management, designing displays and enclosures, maintaining cultures and host plants, and curating the live insect specimen collection. The position also assists in recruiting and training student "Insect Ambassadors," developing educational materials and interpretive displays, creating promotional content for digital platforms, and assisting in fundraising by building relationships with community leaders and potential donors, as well as finding and applying for grants. Regular feedback is provided to the Manager of Community Outreach and the Department Chair.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field or 2 years of experience providing arthropod educational outreach programming focused on the disciplines of STEAM.
- Experience in the development, planning, coordinating, delivering, and evaluation of outreach activities.
- Experience working with schools.
- Experience cooperating with Ohio State Extension and other relevant state and federal agencies.
- Fundraising experience required.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to communicate with diverse clientele.
- 2 years of experience working with live arthropods.
- Possesses a general knowledge of horticulture.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field and 2-4 years of experience providing arthropod educational outreach programming focused on the disciplines of STEAM.
- Experience in the development, planning, coordinating, delivering, and evaluation of outreach activities.
- Experience working with schools.
- Experience cooperating with Ohio State Extension and other relevant state and federal agencies.
- 5+ years of experience working with live arthropods.
- Possesses knowledge of specific woody and herbaceous host plant identification and propagation necessary for insect feeding and care.
Responsibilities
- Manage operations and programming for the United Titanium Bug Zoo (UTBZ).
- Assist with the design of educational outreach activities and curriculum focused on entomology and related fields.
- Collaborate with the Manager, Community Outreach to plan, deliver, and evaluate educational outreach programming.
- Deliver in-person and virtual educational activities, local in-school classroom visits, and facilitate self-guided tours.
- Maintain a working knowledge of state educational standards for impactful programming.
- Coordinate visits to the UTBZ and participation in off-site outreach.
- Assist with the development and implementation of tools for assessing outreach impact.
- Follow established standard operating procedures for proper animal care and culture of arthropods.
- Handle arthropods and their waste.
- Design interpretive displays and enclosures.
- Maintain invertebrate cultures and host plant facility.
- Curate the department’s extensive live insect specimen collection.
- Assist with recruiting and training of CFAES students, interns, and volunteer "Insect Ambassadors".
- Develop engaging educational materials and design artistic interpretive displays.
- Assist with the creation of program promotional materials, including UTBZ digital content for email, web, and social media platforms.
- Assist in fundraising activities by developing relationships with community leaders and potential donors.
- Find and apply for applicable grants.
- Provide regular feedback to the Department of Entomology Manager of Community Outreach and the Department Chair.
Benefits
- Offer will fall within the positions pay range based on internal equity, unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
