Seasonal Lake Superior Estuarium Assistant

Current Employees:
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The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve in Superior, WI, seeks a Seasonal Lake Superior Estuarium Assistant to assist with community-learning opportunities about and with the St. Louis River and communities along its shores. The Estuarium Assistant works seasonally on the Reserve Education team as the hub of the drop-in visitor experience—host community events and listen to, educate, and communicate with people of all ages and life experiences in a public, interpretive exhibit hall setting.

This position will oversee the daily operation of the Lake Superior Estuarium and support education efforts, including teaching educational programs for young children or visiting groups, coordinating volunteers, greeting and engaging visitors, keeping exhibit spaces maintained, and coordinating or co-hosting community outreach events. The Estuarium Assistant joins an education team of 2-3 people and collaborates with Reserve staff and partners to support volunteer recruitment and appreciation.

On-the-job training is provided.

All Reserve staff aim to engage respectfully and responsibly with people with varied identities and experiences, and to create or adapt programming and communications to be relevant and meaningful. The Estuarium Assistant may occasionally support other Reserve programs engaged in water quality monitoring, stewardship, research, and other duties.

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

This position may be required to work occasional nights and weekends to meet the program needs and priorities of the communities served.

• Assists with scheduling logistics and securing resources for vendor services
• Assists with the creation of promotional materials and resources for events
• Gathers, enters, and maintains accurate event data and records
• Performs on-site event set-up and clean up and may perform basic custodial duties
• Greets customers/guests, assists with registration, answers questions, and provides routine information
• Teaches culturally relevant educational programs to adults and youth using learner-centered activities and lessons
• Implements initiatives and events that serve the target audience
• Guides and trains student workers

Department
UW-Madison's Division of Extension serves the people and communities of Wisconsin by addressing local, statewide and national issues, improving lives through research-based education, fostering partnerships and action, and facilitating positive impacts.

The Extension Natural Resources Institute addresses today's critical environmental issues, particularly the sustainable management of food, water, and energy, by using collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches grounded in an understanding of human interactions with resources. We leverage our diverse team of researchers and outreach specialists to provide science-based information and education, embodying the Wisconsin Idea through extensive partnerships. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions that benefit our shared natural resources through a variety of programs.

The Lake Superior Reserve works in partnership to understand Lake Superior's coast and estuaries. The Reserve integrates research, education, outreach, and stewardship to address opportunities and issues affecting the watershed, aiming to celebrate and honor ancestral Anishinaabe land and the lands of all Indigenous peoples. Based on the St. Louis River Estuary in Superior, WI, the Lake Superior Reserve is one of 30 reserves in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.

Well-qualified candidates can anticipate earning between $17 - $19.50 per hour. Actual pay within this range will depend on experience and qualifications. Additional pay components are available for any night or weekend work.

• Night Differential:
  Employees who are FLSA non-exempt receive $0.80 per hour for all hours worked between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

• Weekend Differential:
  Employees who are FLSA non-exempt receive $0.80 per hour for all weekend hours worked (i.e., 12:01 a.m. Saturday to 12:00 a.m. Sunday).

• Successful, respectful communication with volunteers, visitors, youth, and the public.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Publisher, Outlook) and Google Suite.

• Reliable work ethic and ability to problem-solve independently.

• Attention to administrative details and ability to plan, promote and manage programs and/or event logistics.

• Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Ability to work with youth (minors) in an informal setting.

• Interpretive or teaching experience in a public, natural history…