Robotics and Community Programs Lead

Who We Are

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) is an academic institution intrinsically tied to the real world – a confluence of industry knowledge, work ethic and an enduring desire to know more. The university offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in engineering, computer science, machine learning, user experience, construction management, actuarial science, business and nursing. With about 3,000 students, faculty and staff, MSOE is large enough for big opportunities and small enough for personal attention.

A Small University Dedicated to Achieving Big Things

MSOE is a supportive environment where everyone is valued. Our method of learning by doing is our distinction: it is how we teach, how we learn and how we serve. MSOE’s top priority is serving our students. By joining our community, you are building the leaders of tomorrow.

Our Mission

MSOE is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. We are united by our six values – collaboration, excellence, inclusion, innovation, integrity and stewardship – which represent the core of our campus culture. MSOE has embarked on an ambitious strategic plan, Extraordinary Together, that propels the institution forward. At MSOE, we are dedicated to promoting an academic environment marked by an unwavering respect for every individual.

Summary

MSOE invites applications for a full-time Robotics and Community Programs Lead to join our STEM department! The Robotics and Community Programs Lead oversees the development, delivery, and sustainment of afterschool, evening, and weekend programming at the STEM Center. This includes developing and delivering STEM programming in topics including robotics, coding, engineering, and/or making. This individual also leads all FIRST Robotics initiatives within the STEM Center, including leadership of the FIRST Ambassadors program, FIRST Wisconsin partner programs, and MSOE’s high school community robotics team. While robotics and STEM outreach experience is highly preferred, candidates with excitement and willingness to learn are encouraged to apply.

Role Schedule

This role has a variable work schedule to support afterschool and weekend programming, and the individual should expect to regularly work evenings and weekends during the academic year. This is a core requirement of the position.This is an exempt, salaried position that operates year-round; while hours will vary seasonally as outlined below, the role is generally structured around a full-time workload, with 2 days off guaranteed each week. On evenings and/or weekends with no programs scheduled, candidates may shift to a more traditional 9:00 – 5:00 schedule, if desired.During the academic year, expect hours of roughly 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. on weekdays when evening programs are running. Weekend hours will vary based on the program(s) scheduled that day. The general cadence is:

• September – December: At least 2 evening programs per week and 1 weekend day per month
• January – Mid April: At least 3 evening programs per week and 2 -3 weekend days per month
• Mid-April – August: Daytime, M-F working hours (negotiable if candidate wishes to maintain evening hours)

The individual will work with the Center director to set a flexible schedule that meets these requirements while keeping to a full-time workload and ensuring 2 days off.

Essential Job Functions

• Function as a lead instructor for afterschool, evening, and summer programming, which includes:
  • Providing direct instruction in a classroom format to groups of students ranging from 8 to 24 students in partnership with MSOE STEM Center staff, student workers, and/or volunteers
  • Developing and delivering activities that include topics in robotics, coding, engineering and/or making. The individual is not expected to come up with ideas from the ground up, but rather to create or adapt programming to meet the needs of STEM Center participants
  • As required, parental communications regarding student behavior or learning needs
• Oversee MSOE’s FIRST FRC Community team, Milwaukee Cyber Cheese, which includes:
  • Acting as a lead mentor for the team
  • Managing the team budget
  • Ensuring all STEM Center and FIRST youth protection policies are followed
  • Working in partnership with part-time and volunteer mentors to recruit students and provide structure for the season
• Acting as primary point of contact for FIRST Wisconsin partnership programs, which includes:
  • Leadership of the Milwaukee Metro FTC League
  • Bi-weekly calls with FIRST WI leadership
  • Supporting FIRST events at MSOE including professional development, kickoffs, and similar programs
  • Acting as a subject matter expert for city of Milwaukee FIRST teams, especially those supported through the Ambassador program
• Management of MSOE’s FIRST Ambassadors program, a mentorship program that trains MSOE students to serve as robotics mentors in Milwaukee area schools, which includes:
  • Recruiting, retaining and hiring MSOE students to serve as Ambassadors (mentors)
  • Providing support to Ambassadors, including bi-weekly convenings during the academic year
  • Supporting opportunities to grow the program into new schools, particularly those serving underrepresented student populations and/or with barriers to sustainment
  • Managing student location assignments and hours
  • Maintaining relationships and serving as the primary point of contact for participating schools
• Reporting on program metrics and providing feedback to Center leadership through formal (i.e. surveys) and informal measures (i.e. classroom observations)
• Support other MSOE STEM Center initiatives and programming, as required

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Acting as an advisor and resource to MSOE leadership, faculty and staff on FIRST programs
• Collaborating with daytime program leads to share ideas, program best practices, and to ensure consistency and quality across all STEM Center program offerings
• Representing MSOE at FIRST events and local STEM / robotics expos & showcases

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications

Required

• High School Diploma required; Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, education, or other related field preferred
• Proven experience in motivating, mentoring, teaching and/or working with K-12 and/or collegiate students
• Requires frequent travel locally, occasional travel outside of Milwaukee
• Requires evening and weekend availability per the schedule outlined above
• Must enjoy working with K-12 students and the broader community
• Must have reliable transportation
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, be able to drive, and be eligible to drive vehicles per MSOE driving policy

Preferred

• Experience with FIRST robotics programs (FLL, FTC, and/or FRC) or similar programs preferred
• Experience with event planning preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present information in a group setting
• Ability to self-manage multiple tasks while maintaining deadlines, organization, and reporting
• Ability to self-direct work to achieve goals, outcomes, and alignment with mission of STEM Center
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with students, families, and community partners from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships and function as a team player
• Self-motivated, with ability to take initiative, solve problems, and continuously improve
• Proficient with Microsoft Office tools, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating instructions, and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to use numbers to solve problems involving concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out written or oral instructions.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and move within the work area and other areas on campus.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move program supplies and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds, and occasionally more with assistance.

Why Join MSOE?

At MSOE, we invest in our employees’ professional and personal growth. MSOE offers competitive, fully comprehensive benefit plans to all full-time employees including medical, dental, life, disability and vision insurance, 13 paid holidays, Paid Time Off, and paid parental leave, as well as a 403(b) retirement plan with company matching of up to 6% of employee earnings and immediate vesting. Educational benefits are available for employees and family members. Plus, employees have access to our state-of-the-art fitness center at no charge. Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, MSOE is just blocks away from the beautiful lakefront, the theater district, museums, sports and music venues, parks and shopping. To view more detailed information about MSOE, please visit www.msoe.edu/hr.