HudsonAlpha - Field Trip Support Instructor - HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology

INSTITUTE OVERVIEW

HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is a genomic science and applications nonprofit organization with locations in Huntsville and Dothan, Alabama. It is a high-volume genomic data producer and a global scientific collaborator valued for genomic data analysis and interpretation to solve questions in cancer, undiagnosed disease, neurological disorders, agriculture and more. Its unique campuses cross the boundaries between scientists, educators, and commercial business to spark innovation and growth.

DEPARTMENTAL SUMMARY

Educational Outreach is an essential component of the HudsonAlpha mission. The Institute seeks to expand interest in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematical fields by developing instructional programs that spark curiosity among students and allow teachers to illustrate the potential of applied research. The Educational Outreach programs of HudsonAlpha are organized around two guiding principles: preparing the future biotechnology workforce and cultivating an awareness of the influence of genetics and biotechnology on the lives of all citizens.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Field Trip Support Instructor is responsible for leading and delivering life science activities and content to the 6th-12th grade audiences attending a field trip on campus at HudsonAlpha. Field trips are hands-on, engaging experiences designed to introduce genomics and/or biotechnology content and lab skills to school groups. Field trip experiences range from 3 hours for middle school students, up to 6 hours for high school students.

The Field Trip Support Instructor will manage and supervise the participants during field trip experiences and will assist with setting up and cleaning the lab spaces. The Field Trip Support Instructor will report to the Director of Student Experiences.

The Field Trip Support Instructor will be a Temporary, Part-time Employee, paid by the hour for a limited time period. The anticipated schedule is:

Three days per week from January 16, 2025 to May 2, 2025. Training and onboarding will take place the week of January 16, 2025.

EDUCATION AND REQUIRED SKILLS EXPERIENCE

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Biology or another related field
• Valid Alabama teaching certificate preferred
• Prior experience as a classroom educator is preferred

Required Skills:

• Working knowledge of genetics/genomics/biotechnology concepts
• Proficient with common technology applications and their use
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong presentation skills, both the crafting and presentation of content, to large and small audiences of varying types
• Ability to identify and address gaps in pedagogy and content

Job Specific Tasks

• Deliver content during field trips held at HudsonAlpha
• Facilitate the management, supervision, and education of participants in field trips
• Reinforce instructional concepts to individual or small groups of learners
• Identify and address student educational gaps in real-time
• Prep and maintain the learning spaces for student experiences
• Assist with building long-term professional learning relationships between HudsonAlpha and program participants, specifically aimed at increasing the likelihood of participants staying engaged and connected to genomics & biotechnology.
• Monitor and assist participants in getting to and from the educational spaces.
• Work with multiple teams inside Educational Outreach and across other departments at HudsonAlpha
• Model professionalism in communication with educators
• Utilize Basecamp or other project management software to track and complete tasks
• Pass a background check and complete child safety training
• Other duties as assigned

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors/Mental Functions

ADA Requirements - The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer - All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sit or stand) for prolonged periods (50% of the time).
• Constant moving during hosted events.
• Frequently position self (e.g. stoop, crouch, crawl, bend) and pull and push to maintain computers and audio/visual equipment in the classroom/laboratory.
• Must be able to transport materials required for various experiences. This includes lifting and moving up to 25 pounds of materials (e.g. small stacks of textbooks or media equipment) between classrooms/laboratories and to and from parking lots and buildings.
• Frequent operation of common office equipment (e.g. computers, mobile devices, calculators, copiers, scanners).
• Frequently move around a classroom or HudsonAlpha campus to monitor guests of HudsonAlpha.
• Vision abilities - close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust/focus.

Environmental Factors

• Moderate noise level (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Workspace is generally an indoor office setting and in other common areas throughout HudsonAlpha with controlled temperature conditions.
• Occasional exposure to outdoor environment during portions of the workday including extreme cold or hot temperatures, or inclement weather conditions.

Mental Functions

• Maintain emotional control under stress.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in the English language.

HudsonAlpha provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.