Bee Squad Outreach Assistant

This position is for someone who is interested in pollinators, climate, and science communication. Responsibilities will include both independent and collaborative work. This individual will work with the Bee Squad team to connect with a public audience on the importance of bees and ways to support them. Outreach efforts will emphasize how pollinators fit into the bigger picture of climate change and environmental justice movements.

The schedule/hours of this position depend greatly on the time of year and work availability. It will mostly be 1 day a week, but there will be a few weeks where you may work several days consecutively. Day to day responsibilities are seasonally dependent. During the summer months, work will include presenting at outreach events, assisting Bee Squad members with research, and conducting work in the field. On-the-job beekeeping training will be available. During the winter months, tasks may include writing newsletters and social media posts, assisting with research, and completing routine equipment maintenance.

This position may work up to 20 hours per week and is employed by the UMN Bee Squad, Department of Entomology, CFANS, University of Minnesota.

Breakdown of responsibilities:

• 50% Outreach: Delivering education on pollinators and flowering habitat to members of the public at outreach and extension events
• 50% Lab Support: providing support for Bee Squad research projects, including honey extraction, equipment maintenance, cleaning, and tasks around the lab

Required Qualifications

• Great communication skills
• Flexibility and willingness to work with a team on diverse projects
• A passion for pollinators and our environment
• Digitally competent
• Comfortable working outside in all weather conditions and around stinging insects
• Ability to commute to the Bee Lab on the St. Paul campus
• Available to work outreach events in the evenings and on weekends
• Valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience conducting surveys or data collection
• Undergraduate degree
• Prior beekeeping experience is beneficial but not required

The Department of Entomology in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) is located on the St Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. It is composed of 16 faculty and 40 staff engaged in research, teaching, and extension related to biodiversity and systematics, ecology, physiology, neurobiology, and functional genomics of diverse insects and other invertebrates, including pollinators, mosquitoes and ticks, and management of pests in residential, commercial/industrial, urban, agricultural, forested, and natural landscapes. The department offers MS and PhD degrees in Entomology, and an undergraduate Insect Science Minor. The Department maintains the University of Minnesota Insect Collection, one of the largest university-affiliated insect collections in North America with over 4 million specimens, representing over 53,000 described species.

Pay Range: $17.00 - $20.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

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 employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

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

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.

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).