Educational Specialist

Description

Title: Educational Specialist

Position Number: 81750

Hiring Unit: College of Natural & Health Sciences, Geology-Geophysics

Location: UH Hilo

Date Posted: August 26, 2024

Closing Date: Continuous recruitment until filled, first review date on or around September 11, 2024

Band: B

Salary : salary schedules and placement information

Full Time/Part Time: Full-time

Month: 11-month

Temporary/Permanent: Permanent

Other Conditions: Appointment to begin approximately October 2024, pending position clearance and availability of funds.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provides a broad range of educational and administrative support to the Department of Geology and the College of Natural and Health Sciences dean's office. Assists with administrative support for the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes (CSAV) at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.

Department of Geology (45%):

• *Manages and maintains teaching laboratory sample collections, demonstrations, and equipment; supervises students and provides generalized training on proper use and routine maintenance of laboratory equipment; arranges for specialized technical repair of University-owned teaching and research equipment as needed.
• *Plans and coordinates student field instruction: assists instructors with organizing and scheduling field trips; makes necessary arrangements for the field party's safety, ensuring that appropriate safety equipment is available to students and instructors, and that safety and first-aid briefings have been provided to students prior to the field trip; and obtains access and sampling permits as needed for field trips.
• *Coordinates procurement, usage, maintenance, and repair of laboratory and field equipment and field vehicles; maintains all in proper and safe operating condition; keeps records of maintenance performed and usage, maintains inventory, and documents custody.
• *Serves as a laboratory liaison for the UH Hilo Scanning Electron Microscope, provides needed technical and vendor support to keep the instrument operable and available for use; maintains user calendar, access, and supplies, and documents standard operating procedures and methods; schedules routine maintenance, and provides training and assistance to faculty, students, and other users as needed.
• *Processes and documents the purchase of Department equipment and supplies according to University of Hawai‘i procurement procedures; tracks Department budget status and assists faculty in the procurement of equipment and supplies as needed.
• Participates in student recruitment activities and community educational public outreach at STEM- related events in Hawai‘i Island schools and other public meeting events (e.g., science nights, classroom visits, and career fairs around the Big Island), in support of Geology and other CNHS STEM programs, as well as volcano/natural hazards public outreach programs in support of CSAV.

College of Natural and Health Sciences, Office of the Dean (35%):

• *In coordination with the CNHS dean, responsible for overseeing, maintaining, and distributing CNHS dean's office communication efforts, including the weekly update newsletter to College faculty and staff, semesterly newsletters to CNHS student majors, and alumni communications.
• *Oversees updates to content of CNHS websites in collaboration with any necessary technical support personnel or website designers, and in compliance with institutional branding.
• *Oversees CNHS social media presence and posts content in support of CNHS programs; highlights newsworthy articles on social media.
• Assists the CNHS dean's office with student recruitment efforts as well as community outreach and College events.
• Assists with procurement in departments having no APT support, as needed and as time permits.

Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes (CSAV) (20%):

• *Assists the Director of the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes (CSAV) in planning and implementation of the annual eight-week (summer) CSAV International Training course in Volcano Hazards Monitoring. This support varies in scope and time commitment across the academic year (~5% in Fall, ~30% in Spring, ~50% during the 8-week course) and includes: working with the UH International Student Services Office as necessary to coordinate and provide guidance to international participants in the acquisition of proper travel documents and visas required to enter the United States for professional training; providing guidance and coordination of international and domestic travel for participants in the course; coordinating with the USGS and UH staff in the organization of the classroom, lab, and field work needs of the course; coordinating training equipment maintenance and ensuring readiness for the required support equipment during the course; working with local and Mainland vendors to procure housing, ground transportation, and other support services for international trainees, instructors, and other support staff; tracks budget and costs of the course and prepares invoices for tuition and fee costs for participants, where applicable.
• Updates the CSAV website as needed to reflect current programs and training opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of geology as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles, and methodologies.
• Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with geology programs, including field programs.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.

Supplemental Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be able to work effectively in rugged and adverse field conditions and hike distances of at least one mile over unimproved ground at elevations ranging from sea level to 11,000 feet.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain throughout the duration of employment.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Master's degree in geology.
• More than three years of work experience in a public institution for higher education.
• Prior experience in one of more of the following: (1) university procurement, (2) communications and social media platforms, and (3) student recruitment and public outreach.
• Knowledge of University of Hawai‘i administrative and fiscal processes and procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of, or experience in, geologic field methods, volcano monitoring methods, Hawai‘i Island field conditions, laboratory work, and associated equipment.
• At least one year of training and experience in the operation and use of a Scanning Electron Microscope and ancillary elemental analysis instrumentation or similarly sophisticated high vacuum mineralogical research and analytical equipment and associated instrument control software.
• Progressively responsible professional experience in coordinating training programs in volcano or other hazard monitoring.
• Experience with responsibilities for coordinating international travel entry visas or equivalent experience.

To Apply:

Click on the “Apply” button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach each required document. A complete application must include:

(1) cover letter addressing how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications;

(2) curriculum vita/resume;

(3) names, addresses, email and telephone numbers of three (3) current professional references and

(4) official transcript(s) showing degree(s) and course work appropriate to the position, (copies are acceptable; however, official transcripts will be required prior to employment).

Please do not include any self-identifying photos they will be redacted. PLEASE REDACT REFERENCES TO SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS AND BIRTH DATE ON TRANSCRIPT COPIES. All requested documents/information become the property of the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Failure to submit all required documents shall deem an application to be incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Inquiries:

Dr. Steven “Steve” Lundblad; slundbla@hawaii.edu

EEO/AA, Clery Act, ADA

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, domestic or sexual violence victim status, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran.