Student Insectary and Outreach Assistant

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Job Title:

Student Insectary and Outreach Assistant

Department:

FAES | Entomology-JM

This employee will be responsible for animal care and lab work in the Insectary. They will prepare diet, clean enclosures, rehouse animals as necessary, prepare animals for classroom and Outreach use, maintain lab and equipment, host guests in lab, and other duties as needed.

Additional Information:

2026 Student Assistant Position

Lab and collection maintenance, and outreach assistance

General Position Duties: This position will fulfill duties including animal care and maintenance; lab upkeep and improvement; and assisting in planning, performing, and leading internal and external outreach and engagement.

Detailed Duties:

Animal Care - This student will contribute weekly to the ongoing care of the arthropods in the Insectary. This generally includes feeding, watering, and rehousing. Basic weekly care of an individual animal, species, or of a habitat consisting of multiple species, are divided into individual tasks. Student is expected to progress in training by learning each task sufficiently to be able to operate independently during routine maintenance and care. This includes cultivating animal cultures and taking care of individual animals, as well as taking care of plants, and other duties as needed in the course of caring for the living collection. Student is expected to exercise discerning judgement and caution, and maintain impeccable safety standards, as well as perform high quality consistency and continuity of care. Student will learn proper handling of animals, and must assist Curator in maintaining USDA standards for permit compliance.

Lab Upkeep and Improvement – Cleaning and organizing of lab and related equipment and supplies is ongoing. Student will be expected to assist with tasks related to the continued functioning of the lab, and continued improvement of display quality.

Assisting in Planning, Performing, and Leading Internal and External Outreach and Engagement – Outreach is a pivotal part of this position. Student will be expected to be trained on, and perform the following engagement sessions: Lab tours, Bug boxes, and Bugmobile events, among others. This may be done solo or in a group, and can be internal or external facing. This will include interacting with/presenting to highly varied audiences, such as minors, families, general public, shareholders, etc. Eventual seasonal and event-based operation of our vehicles, including our department truck and the Bugmobile, is expected. Assistance to Curator may include: correspondence, leading outreach sessions, hosting guests, attending events, and other duties as needed.

Funding: This position will be paid for preferentially by Federal Work Study.

Schedule: Student may work maximum hours allowed by the University in any given semester. Hours can be irregular based on event schedules. Hours will not be limited to initial funding source (FWS.)

Location:

Biological Sciences Greenhouses (0010)

Position Type:

Temporary (Fixed Term)

Scheduled Hours:

10

Shift:

Varying Shifts

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check.  A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

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The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.