"Seasonal Lake Superior Estuarium Assistant"

Job Summary

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.

Work seasonally on the Reserve Education team as the hub of 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. The Estuarium Assistant works full time for 13.5 weeks from June 1 through September 5 as the lead staff in the Lake Superior Estuarium—a public exhibit hall with free admission that tells stories of the St. Louis River Estuary & Lake Superior. This position will oversee the daily operation of the Lake Superior Estuarium, coordinate and train docent and staff volunteers, greet and engage visitors, assist with Reserve education efforts like teaching educational programs for young children or visiting groups, do light upkeep of the exhibit spaces, communicate about projects at the Lake Superior Reserve and upcoming events, promote the Estuarium, update and maintain exhibit hall curriculum, and coordinate or co-host community outreach events. The Estuarium Assistant joins an education team of 2-3 people and collaborates with the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve staff, as well as Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve 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.

In Person

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

Evening/Weekend Work

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

Key Job Responsibilities

• Support program integration at the Reserve through collaboration with the monitoring, stewardship, coastal training and research programs, with Reserve partners, and within the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) system
• Assists with the creation of promotional materials and resources for events
• Assists with scheduling logistics and securing resources for vendor services
• Implements initiatives and events that serve the target audience
• Guides and trains student workers
• Teaches culturally relevant educational programs to adults and youth using learner-centered activities and lessons
• Performs on-site event set-up and clean up and may perform basic custodial duties
• Gathers, enters, and maintains accurate event data and records
• Greet customers/guests, assists with registration, answers questions, and provides routine information, referring more complicates issues to appropriate entities

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.

About the Institute

The Extension Natural Resources Institute (https://naturalresources.extension.wisc.edu/) 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. Ultimately, our mission is to empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions that benefit our shared natural resources through a variety of programs.

About the Program

The Lake Superior Reserve works in partnership to improve the understanding of 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 sacred lands of all Indigenous peoples throughout their work and partnerships. 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.

Compensation

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 shall receive night differential of $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 shall receive weekend differential of $0.80 per hour for all weekend hours worked (i.e., work hours between 12:01 a.m. on Saturday and 12:00 midnight on Sunday).

Required Qualifications

• Successful, respectful communication ability with volunteers, visitors, youth, and members of the local or visiting public;
• Knowledgeable and able to work with Microsoft Office software (primarily Word, Excel, Publisher, and Outlook email) and Google Suite;
• Reliable work ethic and ability to problem solve independently;
• Attention to administrative details and ability to independently and collaboratively plan, promote and manage programs and/or event logistics.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Ability to work with youth (minors) in an informal setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interpretive or teaching experience in a public, natural history setting
• Knowledge of the Superior, WI, region, which may include cultural and natural history and scientific and ecological processes, especially related to watersheds, water quality, and the St. Louis River.
• Experience planning, promoting and instructing engaging education programs with youth and adult members of the general public, including risk management.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

How to Apply

We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. To begin the application process, click the "Apply" button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)

Please note when applying, there will be only one attachment field. You must upload all your documents in the attachment field. Please submit a cover letter referring to your work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background as it relates to this position. Your cover letter should communicate your interest in the position and how your skillset aligns with the role. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews.

For additional guidance and resources on how to tailor your application materials to the job posting, please click https://extension.wisc.edu/careers/.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

The application deadline is Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 11:55PM (CST).