MOSS Programs Assistant

Position Title: University of Idaho McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS) Programs Assistant
Position Type: Up to 40hrs/week. Temporary through July, 2022
Compensation: $18/hr. (This position is not eligible for UI benefits)

Position Overview: The MOSS Programs Assistant reports to the UI McCall Field Campus K12 Programs Coordinator. The Assistant will assist with day-to-day logistics of MOSS programs including being on-call and available to teachers and chaperones for assistance during MOSS programs, conducting chaperone meetings and providing assistance to teachers, chaperones, and field instructors throughout the field day. 

Unit Overview: This position is based at the University of Idaho McCall Field Campus (MFC), home of McCall Outdoor Science School and Master of Natural Resources graduate degree in Environmental Education and Science Communication. The campus hosts outdoor environmental education programs for thousands of guests each year ages pre-K to adult.

Key Accountability: Assist with coordination of MOSS programs, such as:

• Liaise with visiting teachers, chaperones, and Field Instructors during the weekly residential outdoor environmental education programs to support safety, efficiency of programming, and comfort (for example, finding space heaters for chaperones, delivering supplies and equipment into the field, being “on-call” at night in case of an emergency). 
• Assist Graduate Student Temp Help with organizing and maintaining MOSS Equipment, including outdoor Wall Tent classrooms (snow removal, fire stove maintenance, etc.).
• Assist MOSS Program Coordinators in updating and reconciling K12 MOSS Program Enrollment and Logistics forms to ensure efficiency of programming
• Host Chaperone Meetings and Pre-Program Phone calls with teachers each week to plan and communicate programming details; use existing chaperone planning worksheets and name tags to make visitors feel welcome and supported.
• Assist Field Instructors serving in a “Program Host” of the week role with Evening Program development and daily debriefs, provide Program Hosts with feedback regarding their classroom management and “hosting” roles as applicable.
• Assist Program Coordinators with end-of-week debrief with instructors
• Lead MOSS Store inventory and sales to visiting groups with grad student temp hires

Required Experience: 

• At least 1 year of outdoor environmental education teaching experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Education, Environmental Science, or related area
• Experience communicating and liaising with diverse audiences
• Experience organizing, inventorying, and maintaining a broad array of forestry, computer, and office equipment

Additional Preferred Experience:

• Master’s degree in Environmental Education or related area

Physical Requirements: Ability to lift 20lbs using proper lifting technique, ability to move through a winter environment and assist with general equipment maintenance.

About the University of Idaho McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS)

Mission: We transform individuals and communities through innovative research and educational experiences.

Vision: We envision vibrant, diverse and inclusive communities, empowered to ask difficult questions and transform ways of thinking, to collaboratively and compassionately sustain the social and ecological systems that provide for all of us.

Values:

• Creativity: We seek innovative and novel solutions to challenges. We value creative exploration in education, research, facilities and administration with all the failures that are inherently linked to the creative process. 
• Sustainability: As an organization, we endeavor to operate in a way that conserves and perpetuates the resilience of human, social, fiscal, and natural (ecological?) resources.
• Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: We recognize that inequitable systems exist in the world. We will hold ourselves accountable to examining inequities in our organizational culture and programs, learn from the mistakes we have made, and move toward providing equitable access and outcomes for all. We strive to create a place where a diversity of participants will feel welcome and included in our work.
• Collaboration: We seek collaboration, acknowledging that all humans have something to offer and that by working and learning together we are more than the sum of our parts.

MOSS K12 Education Philosophy: At MOSS, we want all students to feel a sense of belonging. We invite students to explore their unique identities and strengths, empower them to work together with others, and investigate complex issues in our local and global communities. We believe that all learning is personal, based on first-hand observations and inquiry of social and ecological communities. These communities are our classrooms. We want students to learn that deep knowledge of individual subjects like math, science, and social studies are essential in the “real world,” but we also want students to see that all subjects work together help us understand how the world works and how to ensure equity, justice and sustainability among all living things. Through the MOSS experience, students leave with a better understanding of how to take care of themselves, how to take care of each other, and how to take care of the places we all live.

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The University of Idaho (U of I) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, U of I does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, genetic information or status as any protected veteran or military status in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions and educational programs. Inquiries may be directed to the Director of the Office of the Office of Civil Rights & Investigations, 875 Perimeter Drive, MS 3160, Moscow, ID 83844-3160; 208-885-4285 (voice) or ocri@uidaho.edu or http://www.uidaho.edu/ocri.

U of I is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources 208-885-3638 or hr@uidaho.edu.

How to apply:

To apply, please submit a resume with three professional references and a brief letter of interest to Beth Kochevar at ekochevar@uidaho.edu. Applications open now until position is filled.