"Monnig Education Outreach Specialist"

Job Summary:

The Monnig Education Outreach Specialist plays a critical role in developing and delivering innovative, narrative-based STEM education programming for middle school students (grades 5-8) as part of the NASA-funded STORIES (Story-based Teaching of Research in Extraterrestrial Samples) project. The Specialist has the unique opportunity to bridge planetary science, informal education, and community engagement through hands-on experiences with one of the world's largest university-based meteorite collections.

This position is funded through a NASA TEAM II grant until August 2027. Continuation of employment beyond the grant period is contingent upon securing additional funding.

Duties & Essential Job Functions:

1. Designs interactive, narrative-based learning units that incorporate NASA resources, extraterrestrial materials, and hands-on meteorite activities.
2. Ensures all educational content for K12 students aligns with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
3. Develops supplementary materials including educator guides, student worksheets, and assessment tools.
4. Maintains the project website content including timely learning unit uploads.
5. Serves as the primary liaison for K-12 schools, homeschool organizations, and informal education institutions
6. Coordinates scheduling and logistics, and prepares and organizes educational materials and supplies for all educational programs and events
7. Delivers on-site STEM presentations and workshops throughout the DFW Metroplex (minimum 2 off-campus events per month)
8. Facilitates large-scale public outreach events aligned with NASA mission milestones and national STEM events (minimum 2 annually)
9. Conducts educator professional development workshops for Fort Worth ISD and partner organizations (minimum 4 over grant period)
10. Trains staff at partner education institutions to implement developed programming independently
11. Oversees the Monnig Meteorite Lending Library, including management of 9 loan sets of meteorites and related terrestrial samples
12. Collects data to measure program outcomes, including participant data, attendance records, and demographic information for evaluation purposes
13. Administers pre/post surveys and other assessment instruments in collaboration with External Independent Evaluator
14. Participates actively in NASA Informal Education (IE) Learning Cohort meetings and activities, including attending NASA conferences each year
15. Assists with other grant reporting requirements and documentation
16. Assists with grant proposal development and reporting for the Monnig Meteorite Gallery, including identifying relevant funding opportunities, drafting educational program narratives, compiling supporting documentation and data, and preparing materials for submission to federal, state, and private funding agencies
17. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Earth Sciences, Planetary Science, or related STEM field
• Experience working with young learners (k-12)

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Master's degree in Education, Museum Studies, Science Communication, or related field
• Experience in informal science education, museum education, or K-12 STEM instruction
• Experience with curriculum development

Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training:

• Valid Texas Driver’s License
• Must be insurable under the university motor vehicle requirements.

Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training:

• Familiarity with Texas TEKS and/or NGSS standards

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of organizational management and problem-solving techniques.
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills
• Skill in oral and written communication and organizational techniques.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to assume administrative tasks and make decisions regarding daily activities
• Ability to work independently as well as being a collaborative team member.
• Ability to schedule, plan and coordinate events
• Knowledge of social media management
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Ability to develop and implement educational programs
• Ability to travel to multiple locations within the DFW Metroplex
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends

Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations):

• Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Able to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Ability to stand for extended periods during presentations
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects and equipment up to 50lbs.

Work Environment:

• Work is indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours.
• This role is an on campus, in-person position that will include some evening and weekend hours.
• This role will require travel throughout the DFW metroplex and involve regular off-campus, in-person presentations to K12 school groups.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.