Education and Outreach Coordinator

Coordinate the PSFC’s outreach commitments (K-12, undergraduate and graduate), and support communications projects. Work with the PSFC Deputy Director to create new educational opportunities for K-12 and undergraduate students at the PSFC.  Manage a federally funded grant that supports educational outreach.  Develop original content, including writing/reviewing collateral and coordinating events/campaigns. Contribute to and implement communications activities in support of communications objectives/strategies.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage PSFC outreach programs, including:
  • Open Houses
  • High School Outreach Days
  • Teacher and student workshops
  • Maintenance of outreach demonstrations
  • Selecting and purchasing new equipment
• Design and implement new outreach programming as appropriate.
• Organize and manage PSFC tour program.
  • Conduct tour guide training workshops.
• Connect motivated non-MIT students with resources and/or researchers to encourage their interest in plasma and fusion science.
• Under direction of PSFC Seminar Committee, publicize and promote Center’s weekly seminar series.
• Organize annual Independent Activities Period activities.
• Collaborate on educational outreach events with national and international laboratories, educational institutions and industries to introduce students and the general public to plasma and its many applications, including national efforts such as:
  • American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics (APS-DPP) Education Committee: as part of their Education Committee help manage annual education events associated with their yearly meeting, focusing specifically on a Plasma Sciences Expo.
  • S. Fusion Outreach Team: collaborate on projects developed during regular Zoom calls.
  • Coalition for Plasma Science (CPS): collaborate on projects as they arise.
• Communicate with DOE officials regarding funding for PSFC educational outreach, and work with Fiscal Officer to create and adhere to budget.
  • Write and submit grant progress reports and renewals to DOE as required.
• Assist with public-facing communications efforts as needed.
  • Update website content.
  • Collect media/materials needed for communications initiatives.
• Coordinate and/or assist with internal and external events, including conferences.
  • Organize and execute event logistics.
• Liaise with vendors and members of the media during in-person visits.
• Other duties as needed or required.

This position reports to the Communications Director, who will provide supervision. This position will also interact with the PSFC Director on grant-related matters.

Qualifications & Skills:

Bachelor’s degree in education, communications, or STEM field is required.

Minimum of 3 years of outreach and education and/or communications experience required.

Passionate about STEM education; enjoy working with students of all ages in a variety of settings; possess strong writing, editing, and communication skills; able to create engaging educational programming for in-person and virtual audiences; can work independently while also excelling in team settings; fluent in social media content creation/management. Preferred: fluency with InDesign, Illustrator, or similar; basic familiarity with Wordpress CMS.

Hybrid schedule with 3-4 days/week in the office. Some occasional evening and/or weekend work will be required.

Willingness and ability to travel to conferences is required.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.