Natural Resources Outreach Specialist

Iowa State University is hiring a Natural Resources Outreach Specialist to educate students in Grades 3-8 about environmental topics like water and soil. The role involves delivering outreach programs, conducting field research, and engaging in community events. Responsibilities include preparing educational materials, managing data, and supporting program evaluations. The position emphasizes creativity in environmental education and requires travel within Iowa, indicating it is not a remote job.
About the position

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is seeking a Natural Resources Outreach Specialist to serve as an environmental educator in school settings. This role is pivotal in delivering natural resources outreach to students in Grades 3-8, focusing on essential topics such as water, soil, wildlife, and ecosystems. The specialist will engage with students through various educational programs, including live-streamed WR! programs during the winter months and hands-on outreach activities during the summer with the Conservation Station fleet. This involves traveling to community events like county fairs, festivals, and farmers markets, where the specialist will provide interactive learning experiences that foster environmental awareness among youth. In addition to outreach activities, the specialist will support field research and demonstration projects at Iowa State University related to water quality and soil health. Responsibilities include collecting soil and water samples, conducting earthworm midden counts at demonstration sites statewide, and compiling a comprehensive mailing list in MS Excel to communicate effectively with K-12 teachers. The specialist will also prepare outreach materials for teacher packets to support Water Rocks! school visits, ensuring that educational resources are readily available for teachers to enhance their curriculum. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently are essential for success in this role. The candidate will assist with program evaluation efforts for Water Rocks! and Iowa Learning Farms, which includes data entry from field days, school visits, and extension reporting in MyData. This position offers a dynamic work environment where creativity is encouraged, allowing the specialist to pitch new ideas and develop side projects. The role is ideal for individuals passionate about environmental education, as it provides opportunities to engage youth and inspire future leaders in environmental stewardship. The selected candidate will be hired as an Education Extension Specialist I and must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. This is a term position with the opportunity for renewal, emphasizing the importance of fostering environmental awareness and making a meaningful impact in Iowa.

Responsibilities
• Deliver natural resources outreach to students in Grades 3-8 on topics such as water, soil, wildlife, and ecosystems.
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• Assist with live-streamed WR! programs for schools during the winter months.
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• Travel with the Conservation Station fleet during the summer to provide hands-on outreach activities at community events.
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• Collect soil and water samples for field research and demonstration projects.
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• Conduct earthworm midden counts at demonstration sites statewide.
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• Compile a comprehensive teacher mailing list in MS Excel to communicate with K-12 teachers.
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• Prepare outreach materials for teacher packets to support Water Rocks! school visits.
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• Assist with program evaluation efforts for Water Rocks! and Iowa Learning Farms, including data entry from field days and school visits.
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• Pitch new ideas and develop side projects related to environmental education.
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• Engage youth and inspire future leaders in environmental stewardship.

Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in education, natural resources, agronomy, environmental science, or sociology/anthropology (with an environmental emphasis).
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• Valid U.S. Driver's License.
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• Experience teaching youth.
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• Experience teaching or conducting large group workshops, presentations, seminars, or meetings.
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• Experience with data management (Excel).

Nice-to-haves
• Experience with environmental education programs.
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• Familiarity with outreach strategies for K-12 education.
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• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Benefits
• Comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental.
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• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
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• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans.
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• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa).
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• Life insurance and long-term disability.
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• Flexible Spending Accounts.
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• Various voluntary benefits and discounts.
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• Employee Assistance Program.
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• Wellbeing program.