Bug Zoo Program Specialist

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Under the supervision of the Department of Entomology Manager of Community Outreach, manage operations and programming for Department of Entomology’s United Titanium Bug Zoo (UTBZ) on the CFAES Wooster campus.

Outreach Programing: Assists with the design of intentional educational outreach activities and curriculum focused on the disciplines of entomology and related fields. Collaborates with the Manager, Community Outreach to plan, deliver, and evaluate the educational outreach programming both at the UTBZ and off site as needed. Utilizes the UTBZ to deliver in-person and virtual educational activities; offers local, in-school, classroom visits; facilitates self-guided tours for the public. Maintains a working knowledge of state educational standards that allows for the design of impactful programming. Coordinates visits to the UTBZ and participation in off-site outreach as needed. Assists with the development and implementation of tools for assessing the impact of outreach for continuous improvement of programming. This position has a strong focus on K-12 outreach that aligns with state science education standards and in providing outreach to the public of all ages that emphasizes the work of the Department of Entomology and CFAES.

Arthropod Care: Follows established standard operating procedures to ensure the proper animal care and culture including handling of arthropods and their waste; designs interpretive displays and enclosures; maintains invertebrate cultures and host plant facility; curates the department’s extensive live insect specimen collection.

Engagement: Assists with the recruiting and training of CFAES students, interns and volunteer “Insect Ambassadors” to deliver outreach to the public; develops engaging educational materials and designs artistic interpretive displays. Assists with creation of program promotional materials, including UTBZ digital content for the department’s communications via email, web and social media platforms that conform to university and CFAES brand standards. Assists in fundraising activities by developing relationships with community leaders and potential donors; finds and applies for applicable grants.

Provides regular feedback to the Department of Entomology Manager of Community Outreach on activities and impacts and for the Department Chair for annual reporting and planning.

Position located in Wooster Ohio, on the CFAES Wooster Campus in the Wooster Science Building.

Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field or 2 years of experience providing arthropod educational outreach programming focused on the disciplines of STEAM, including the development, planning, coordinating, delivering, and evaluation of outreach activities; working with schools, cooperating with Ohio State Extension and other relevant state and federal agencies; fundraising experience required; excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with diverse clientele; 2 years of experience working with live arthropods; possesses a general knowledge of horticulture.

Desired Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field and 2-4 years of experience years of experience providing arthropod educational outreach programming focused on the disciplines of STEAM, including the development, planning, coordinating, delivering, and evaluation of outreach activities; working with schools, 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.

This job profile is a Community Outreach Analyst 2 (S2 level) on the career roadmap.

The offer for this position will fall within the positions pay range based on internal equity, unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications

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