UCAR Center for Science Education - Outreach and Training Specialist I (Casual)

About the role

• Position Type: Casual
• Visa Sponsored Job: No
• Relocation Assistance Eligible: No
• Hiring Range: $22.89/hr - $28.48/hr

Please note

• This position is anticipated to have a base schedule of approximately 12 hrs/week with flexibility for seasonal needs and occasional weekend outreach (with advance notice).
• Casual employees may not work more than 1,000 hours in any 12-month period.

*Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Application Closes at 11:59pm Mountain Time on

2026-11-22

About the Role

Are you passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists and science enthusiasts? The UCAR Center for Science Education (SciEd) is looking for an enthusiastic Outreach and Training Specialist to bring Earth system science to life!

In this dynamic role, you will facilitate engaging in-person and virtual educational programs-including Mesa Lab field trips, interactive exhibit tours, and vibrant community outreach events for preK-12 students and the public. You'll also play a vital role in maintaining our hands-on Mesa Lab exhibits and creative learning spaces while applying top-tier science communication practices.

If you thrive on connecting diverse audiences with cutting-edge science in a flexible, part-time position, we'd love to have you on our team!

The UCAR Center for Science Education (UCAR SciEd) connects students, preK-12 educators, university faculty, and the public with the cutting-edge Earth system science happening at UCAR, the National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR), and UCAR member universities through excellence in educational programs and experiences.

Responsibilities

Program Planning & Facilitation

• Deliver in-person public tours for general public and special groups.
• Deliver PreK-12 school field trips at the Mesa Lab Visitor Center.
• Deliver virtual educational programming for preK-12 and adult audiences, using a variety of platforms and technologies.

Community Outreach & STEM Engagement

• Work with staff from SciEd and/or other labs and programs to plan and deliver outreach content and activities to a variety of audiences at public events such as festivals, workshops, community events, and conferences.
• Engage in ongoing efforts to stay current on STEM education practices, Earth system science research (particularly UCAR|NCAR science), and best practices in science communication.
• Along with the SciEd team, participates in regular self, peer, and programmatic evaluation to ensure best practices in classroom management and educational approaches.
• Occasionally participates in SciEd meetings as needed.

Facility & Exhibit Operations

• Work with staff from SciEd, Facilities, and other internal stakeholders to monitor, track, and maintain Mesa Lab exhibits and education spaces such as the classroom, virtual studio, and storage areas.
• As needed, assists with special exhibit projects.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant academic discipline (STEM, education, communication, or interpretation field);
• 3 years of relevant experience with formal K-12 or informal education in STEM disciplines;
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Pedagogy & Communication

• Knowledge of K-12 in-person and virtual classroom management strategies and educational approaches that engage diverse learners in an optimal environment.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, written, and presentation communication skills, with an ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Familiarity with creating ethical, welcoming, and supportive learning environments in STEM for audiences with varied needs and abilities.

STEM Knowledge

• Knowledge of STEM content, preferably related to NSF NCAR|UCAR and Earth system science, with the ability to convey complex topics to wide audiences.

Organizational & Technical Skills

• Proficiency with common virtual/online educational programming platforms and standard office productivity software (Google Suite, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with adaptability to learn new technologies.
• Skilled in independently organizing, coordinating, and prioritizing a variety of tasks accurately and in a timely fashion.
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Desired, but not required

• Ability to deliver programming in both English and Spanish.

Application Requirements

Cover Letter, Questionnaire, Resume/CV

• Submit all required application materials by 11:59 p.m.
• Mountain Time on the deadline.
• Only candidates with complete applications (including questionnaires, when required) will be considered.

• We recognize that no candidate will meet 100% of the listed qualifications. If you believe your background has prepared you for success in this role, we encourage you to apply.
• Candidates selected for hire will complete background checks and/or federal screenings.

Additional Information

Visa Sponsorship: UCAR can sponsor H-1B status only for candidates already in the U.S. who hold H-1B status or another status that allows a change to H-1B within the country. We cannot sponsor new H-1B visas that require consular processing abroad.

• Compliance and Location: All roles must comply with U.S. export control regulations and work location requirements.
• Hybrid staff work on-site 3 days per week or equivalent, based on their flexible work arrangement.
• UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use: AI tools are permitted, but we strongly encourage candidates to submit primarily original work.