Outreach Coordinator

Senior Program Administration Specialist (Outreach Coordinator)

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is seeking a thoughtful and skilled professional to lead and evolve its K–12 outreach efforts. This role offers the opportunity to connect scientific research with broader communities while supporting meaningful learning experiences for students and educators across Indiana.

As the Senior Program Administration Specialist, you will oversee a comprehensive portfolio of physics and astronomy outreach programs designed for K–12 students and teachers. You will guide the development of engaging, research-informed curriculum and coordinate a range of activities—from on-campus events and school visits to teacher workshops and virtual programming. Working closely with faculty, staff, and student volunteers, you will help translate complex scientific concepts into accessible, impactful learning experiences.

This position plays an important role in fostering curiosity, strengthening science education, and supporting a more scientifically literate community.

The position administers a multifaceted and multimodal physics and astronomy outreach program. The position integrates faculty, their research team, and research topics into the outreach program, furthering the academic and research mission of the department. The position delivers a host of K-12 and adult education activities that showcase physics and astronomy topics and connect student learning to our faculty's world class research activities.

The primary educational audience is K-12 students and teachers, with parents and adult learners a bonus audience. Through educational outreach, the position cultivates student recruitment pathways, public engagement, and service to local, regional, national, and international communities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a lead educator and program administrator on all outreach ventures
• Recruits, trains, and supervises graduate and undergraduate students to administer all levels of the outreach program. Integrates student organizations associated with the department into this cadre of volunteers
• Coordinates and delivers activities for teacher professional development
• Teaches departmental practicum courses

This is a role well-suited to someone who values both education and engagement—someone who enjoys designing programs, building relationships, and contributing to the broader mission of science outreach.

Education and Experience

Required:

• Bachelors of Science required, in Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology, Math, Geology, or related science-based field
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience teaching in any K-12 level required
• Experience in curriculum development, and event planning desired

Preferred:

• Master's degree

Skills Needed:

• Knowledge of: school science programs, K-12 curricula, K-12 academic standards for physics and astronomy, other sciences, and K-12 National Education Standards
• Physics and astronomy, trends in science education, and ability to use technology
• Creative thinking and the ability to develop materials to promote awareness and interest in physics and astronomy, and general science for K-12 audience
• Able to: be the liaison to public schools in Indiana and to coordinate the physics and astronomy K-12 outreach program; provide enhancement of the teaching of science in K-12 in the state of Indiana by providing teachers with information, activities, and pedagogical ideas
• Certified teacher is desirable
• Ability to: communicate effectively with a wide variety of people at all age levels; write proposals for external funding and communicate with Purdue donors

Additional Information:

• Purdue University will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA:
  Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility:
  Defined Contribution Waiting Period
• Benefit Statement:
  Purdue University offers a substantial Benefit Package including medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous paid time off package for sick and vacation days

Professional 3

• Pay Band S065
• Job Code #

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