ME Ambassadors Program Manager- Non-Exempt Temporary or Casual

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Job ID

364774

Location

Twin Cities

Job Family

Supplemental Employee

Full / Part Time

Part-Time

Regular / Temporary

Regular

Job Code

0001

Employee Class

Civil Service

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About the Job

Position Summary :

In support of the University of Minnesota's Public Outreach and Service mission, the Department of Mechanical Engineering is committed to developing and delivering world class public education and outreach programs.

Through the ME Ambassadors program, the department aims to provide access to the knowledge and innovation created within the University and help create a more just and equitable society that can benefit from the scientific advances of tomorrow.

Under the direction of the ME Ambassadors co-Directors, the Program Manager will implement existing outreach efforts by coordinating with external partners (for example, local K-12 educators) and providing mentorship and supervision for the undergraduate and graduate student ambassadors responsible for delivering program content.

The Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the ME Ambassadors Program. The Program Manager will work closely with the Program co-Directors to develop the program and advise the co-Directors on areas for further growth and needed resources for expansion.

This position is a "casual appointment" in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Casual Appointments are limited to working 14 or fewer hours per week.

The position will require occasional local travel within Minnesota to engage with our external partners. The Program Manager is expected to work from the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota 2-5 hours per week to facilitate the weekly ME Ambassador meetings and any other on-campus activities, with the option for the remaining hours to be remote.

About the ME Ambassadors Program :

The University of Minnesota's Mechanical Engineering Ambassadors program was formed as a flagship pilot program for department diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

The program is unique as it is the only program in the University of Minnesota and the national Engineering Ambassadors Network (EAN) that focuses on upper elementary school students (grades 3-5) through multiple points of contact over a longer timespan (i.

e., months to years) to increase diversity early in the "pipeline" of education before students have typically decided whether or not to pursue STEM educations / careers.

The ME Ambassadors Program recruits undergraduate and graduate students to engage in peer-to-peer interactions with elementary and middle school students.

They serve as mentors, design activities and experiments to increase the students' interest in engineering and provide information about the path to becoming an engineer for students in K-12 schools that have limited STEM resources.

The program has a strong partnership with public schools to support and engage with at-risk students enrolled in extended day learning programs and who are eligible for targeted services (i.

e., their family may be experiencing poverty, homelessness, speak English as a second language, etc). The Ambassador program has approximately 20 lead and volunteer undergraduate and graduate student ambassadors who develop and test interactive engineering modules targeted for 3rd and 4th grade students before taking them to the public schools.

Alignment to MPact 2025 Strategic Plan :

In alignment with the University's systemwide strategic plan (MPact 2025), the Program Manager will contribute to the Department's efforts in the following areas :

• Increase the percentage of MN high school graduates who enter the U of M campus
• Increase recruitment, retention, and success of underrepresented students in the College
• Increase partnerships with underserved local communities

Responsibilities :

50% - Management of the ME Ambassadors Programs

The Program Manager will support an ecosystem that broadens access to the Department's scientific expertise, particularly focusing on broadening participation in mechanical engineering and supporting underserved communities by :

• Sustaining collaborative relationships with individuals, organizations, and community partners to increase awareness of science careers, emphasizing supporting pathways into higher education for underrepresented youth.
• Maintaining existing partners and initiating new opportunities for ME Ambassadors to engage partners in serving under-represented and under-resourced youth and communities.
• Collaborating with the ME Ambassador program co-Directors and student leadership to plan the direction of the program and identify best practices for achieving the desired outcomes.
• Perform assessments of learning goals and outcomes to ensure that activities are meeting their goals related to improving engineering perception and literacy.
• Oversee proper care and use of the Program's resource library, including overseeing equipment checkout procedures.
• Work with the Program's administrative staff person to streamline program logistics such as supply purchasing, reimbursements, space reservations.
• Collaborate with the Mechanical Engineering communications team to disseminate media related to the program's outreach.
• Build relationships and facilitate collaboration with ME Faculty who would like to develop an outreach module based on the research in their lab.

50% - Ambassador Recruitment, Advising, and Supervision

The Programs manager will manage a diverse team of undergraduate and graduate student Ambassadors to deliver program activities throughout the year by :

• Recruiting undergraduates and graduate students that represent multiple dimensions of diversity to participate in the ME Ambassadors Program.
• Coordinate appropriate training for the program's ME Ambassadors including but not limited to training in cultural competency, classroom management, communication, and leadership, to ensure consistent quality of program delivery.
• Work with the ME Ambassadors student leadership team to provide support and direction for carrying out the day-to-day task of outreach program implementation.
• Attend weekly meetings with the ME Ambassadors to review progress and provide feedback on outreach module development.
• Support the ME Ambassadors and their student leadership in executing their ideas for program improvement.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM-related field (including STEM education and STEM communication) + 1 year of experience implementing educational programming
• Committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and justice and demonstrated experience centering DEIJ in professional work
• Experience working with diverse populations across a variety of settings
• Ability to travel locally and within MN, and to work one evening (between hours of 5-8pm) per week during the academic year and occasional (3-4) weekends / year

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in the mechanical engineering or a related field (including STEM education and STEM communication)
• 3+ years of experience implementing K-12 educational programming in STEM and / or implementing undergraduate student affairs programming
• Demonstrated experience working with K-12 teachers and students
• Experience recruiting and managing undergraduate and graduate student workers or volunteers
• Working knowledge of common machine shop and scientific equipment

About the Department

The Department of Mechanical Engineering has an internationally recognized faculty, and is part of the College of Science and Engineering , the highly interdisciplinary college of engineering, physical sciences, and mathematics.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.

You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.

The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

To learn more about diversity at the U : http : / / diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here.

Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research.

Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St.

Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).