Education and Outreach Assistant

Job no: 509392
Position type: UW Student Jobs
Location: Not Remote
Division/Equivalent: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
School/Unit: Wisconsin Energy Institute
Categories: Interpersonal Communication, Leadership, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Teamwork/Collaboration, Professionalism/Work Ethic, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Education and Training, Child Development and Care, Customer Service, STEM

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Department Overview:

The Wisconsin Energy Institute is helping to solve one of the most critical challenges of our time – the transition toward new, cleaner energy systems and solutions. WEI is led by scientists and engineers committed to making major breakthroughs in the way we source and use energy. Specifically, WEI seeks to: 1) foster collaborative energy projects across sectors and disciplines, 2) prepare energy leaders of today and tomorrow, and 3) enhance public understanding of energy issues.

The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center is a U.S. Department of Energy-funded Bioenergy Research Center led by the University of Wisconsin–Madison. With Michigan State University and other partners, GLBRC is developing sustainable biofuels and bioproducts made from dedicated energy crops such as switchgrass, mixed prairie and poplar trees, grown on marginal, or non-agricultural lands. The mission is to create biofuels and bioproducts that are economically viable and environmentally sustainable while reducing society's dependence on fossil fuels.

Anticipated Start Date:

10/1/2025

Anticipated End Date (If Applicable):

 

Remote Work Eligibility Detail:

Not Remote

 

Anticipated Hours Per Week:

Minimum: 10

Schedule:

Average of 10 hours per week during the academic year with occasional weekend or evening hours, particularly in the spring semester. Flexibility in scheduling will be provided. Opportunity to continue working during the next academic year and possibly some hours during the summer, depending on funding availability.

Salary/Wage Range/Lump Sum:

Minimum: $15.00 Maximum: 

Number of Positions:

2

Qualifications:

● Must be an undergraduate student at UW–Madison
● Desire to learn about renewable energy and climate systems
● Enthusiasm for and ability to effectively communicate scientific concepts to a general audience in engaging and creative ways
● Students able to continue working in the Spring of 2026 will be given preference
● Students must pass a Criminal Background Check

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

● Ability to work as a member of a dynamic team, and to interact with the public, youth, and scientists
● Demonstrated cultural competency and experience fostering belonging
● Self-motivated, organized, responsible, and able to handle a flexible schedule and work environment
● Preferred but not required: Coursework and/or experience in education, especially with a focus on inquiry-based and hands-on learning
● Preferred but not required: Coursework and/or experience in a variety of scientific and lab areas, especially biology, chemistry, ecology, or engineering

Position Summary/Job Duties:

This student will assist with various outreach projects, specifically the development and facilitation of interactive science activities and programs for a variety of audiences – often youth. Duties will include working with staff, scientists, and community partners to develop hands-on activities to engage learners of all ages in renewable energy education, helping plan and facilitate outreach events, and leading educational programming for youth. This position also requires assisting with administrative tasks for the Education and Outreach Programs.

This position provides lots of room for autonomy and creativity; the Education and Outreach Assistant will have the opportunity to help identify new programs or partnerships to achieve programmatic objectives and maximize reach among targeted audiences, in addition to tailoring work along their interests, as appropriate. Two students work with the Education and Outreach team at WEI and often collaborate.

● Assist in the development of education and outreach materials (especially activities for heavily-attended public events such as Science Expeditions, the Wisconsin KidWind Challenge etc.) focused on bioenergy, renewable energy, and other related sustainability topics
● Facilitate education and outreach activities at a variety of programs including but not limited to K-12 campus field trips, science festivals, family science nights, etc.

● Assist with event planning and logistics, track programmatic metrics.
● Facilitate event set up and take down, including bimonthly WEI tea times
● Assist in partner development and collaboration-building with organizations on and off campus including coordinating/supporting volunteers.
● Help with miscellaneous Education and Outreach program operations and assist with other projects as they arise.

In your cover letter, please tell us why you are interested in this position and what experiences and/or skills would make you a good fit. Students can get assistance with resumes & cover letters at UW-Madison Career Services.

Contact Allison Bender (agbender@wisc.edu) or Kaitlin Ripley (kripley3@wisc.edu) with any questions about this position or your application.

Physical Demands:

This position may involve physical activities such as: walking, bending, and lifting up to 25 lbs.

Institutional Statements:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

UW-Madison is an Equal Employment, Equal Access Employer committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background-people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: diversity.wisc.edu

Accommodation Statement:

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website:https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/

 
 

Advertised: Central Daylight Time
Application close: Central Daylight Time

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