Working title:

Physics Education Outreach Coordinator

Official title:

OUTREACH SPECIALIST(S92DN) or ASSOC OUTREACH SPEC(S92FN)

Degree and area of specialization:

At least BS required, in Physics or related field preferred.

Minimum number of years and type of relevant work experience:

At least 2 years of broad experience and knowledge of Physics preferred. Demonstrated achievement in special event programming and promotion. Experience working within a university setting.

Principal duties:

PRESENTATION AND COORDINATION OF THE WONDERS OF PHYSICS SHOWS (65%)

- Act as the administrator and main presenter of The Wonders of Physics traveling shows at schools and other settings throughout Wisconsin and neighboring states. Develop and send an informational brochure on The Wonders of Physics to science teachers in Wisconsin and other mid-western states to ensure approximately 100 presentations per year. (40%)
- Encourage and advise plasma physics students and staff participating in physics outreach. (5%)
- Assist Dr. Sprott with the series of six major presentations of The Wonders of Physics for the general public each February in Chamberlin Hall on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. This involves assisting in the advertisement of the shows, coordinating the physics staff members and students who volunteer to help with the shows, distributing free tickets for each show, and coordinating the public tours of physics laboratories in Chamberlin Hall both before and after the shows. (10%)
- Participate in outreach activities at the American Physical Society (APS) Plasma Division meeting held in November each year. (5%)
- Develop and distribute the educational materials necessary to assist K-12 science teachers in using physics-related demonstrations in their classrooms. (5%)


MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF DEMONSTRATIONS AND WEBSITE (15%)

- Maintain, repair, and/or replace the physics equipment needed to perform the various demonstrations in The Wonders of Physics shows. (5%)
- Work with professors and engineering staff members in the Physics Department to develop new demonstrations to be used in the annual and traveling presentations of The Wonders of Physics. (5%)
- Maintain and enhance the website for The Wonders of Physics traveling show. (5%)


OUTREACH ACTIVITIES FOR THE CENTER FOR MAGNETIC SELF-ORGANIZATION (10%)

- Oversee the CMSO website. (5%)
- Participate in the Physics Frontiers Centers Educators Outreach Network. (5%)


DEVELOPMENT OF FUNDING STRATEGIES (10%)

- Determine fundraising strategies and implement plans to fund continued expansion of The Wonder of Physics program through marketing The Wonders of Physics lecture kits, software, and videotapes and by building relationships with key individuals and corporate donors who are current supporters of the program. Solicit new individuals and corporations to be general support donors or to sponsor specific presentations. (5%)
- Identify potential grant programs offered by federal agencies such as the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, state agencies, and private foundations to apply for additional funds to sponsor public education on the importance of science, with an emphasis on physics. Maintain records of activities performed. Write the technical and budget sections of proposals with assistance from faculty members and the business manager. Prepare technical progress reports and final reports for extramural sponsors. (5%)

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION

Application must be received by: JUNE 16, 2008

HOW TO APPLY:

Unless another application procedure has been specified above, please send resume and cover letter referring to Position Vacancy Listing #59286 to