Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks an Operations & Engagement Coordinator to join the Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab. Founded in 1937 by RISD graduate and long-time faculty member Edna Lawrence, the Nature Lab provides students and faculty with an engaging space for exploring the forms, patterns, and processes in nature as well as an understanding of our place within the living world. The Lab is a forum, sustained by resources and expertise that inspires countless art and design projects throughout RISD.

The Operations & Engagement Coordinator facilitates access to the core collections of the Nature Lab by performing a variety of functions including support of class and individual visits, other inquiries and requests for access, student employment, room reservations, event planning, budget monitoring, financial transactions, data tracking and annual reporting. Responsible for Nature Lab communications and outreach using a range of platforms including social media, email, newsletters and website, to document, publicize, and promote the Nature Lab's collections, services and activities.

We seek a culturally competent candidate who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions:

Main Access Point Operations:

• Provide for front-line operations of Nature Lab facility and collection access and oversee student workers responsible for the circulation activities including checking out and checking in collection.

• Create materials for and provide facility orientations, tours, demonstrations and responses to faculty requests for access to spaces and equipment resources.

• Mentor and train students through one-on-one instruction, and assist both students and faculty in implementation of projects that rely on Nature Lab resources.

• Investigate and recommend new activities that respond to and enhance student exploration of the Nature Lab collection and ways to expand its biological resources.

Student Hiring, Training, and Supervision:

• Hire, supervise, evaluate and mentor undergraduate work study students and graduate research assistants assigned to the Nature Lab collections.

• In coordination with the Lab Coordinator, develop and provide training in Standard Operating Procedures including but not limited to specimen borrowing, repairs, and routine maintenance.

• Process time cards, arrange and supervise logistical aspects of special student projects. Provide support, direction and recognition for volunteers and interns. Guide and mentor student workers on quality service, attention to detail and other important aspects of customer engagement.

Budget, Finance, and Administration:

• With a detailed knowledge of Nature Lab fiscal operations, track departmental and project expense budgets; create and track purchase orders; prepare check requests; submit expense reports; process payments and invoices; monitor budgets and identify areas of concern and/or opportunity; identify and resolve discrepancies; and maintain subscriptions and renewals.

• Serve as liaison to Finance and Administration on budget, purchasing, and accounting issues as needed.

• Work with the Director to organize work flow and work priorities using a computer based project management system.

• Under the direction of the Director, process major purchases, payments, expense approvals. Work with Accounts Payable and the Director to set up contracts for new vendors and suppliers.

Communications and Outreach:

• Stay up to date on Nature Lab activities and document classes, projects, research and daily occurrences within the Nature Lab spaces.

• Working with the Director and Nature Lab staff, publicize notable Nature Lab advances by executing print and online media circulated among internal and external audiences.

• Work with RISD media to facilitate postings when appropriate.

• Creates and schedules regular social media posts.

• Oversee graduate students engaged in supporting Nature Lab marketing efforts.

• Attend and represent the Nature Lab at RISD communicator network meetings.

• Responsible for keeping the Nature Lab website up to date and ensuring content is presented in a consistent and clear manner.

Data, Compliance, and Reporting Management:

• Compile information and assemble data for the review and approval of the Nature Lab Director to ensure the Nature Lab's State (Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management) and Federal (Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service) specimen collecting and holding permits are in good standing.

• Prepare annual reports and submit permit renewal applications.

• Maintain familiarity with the Nature Lab's Filemaker Pro and Webcheckout electronic records and specimen checkout and circulation tracking system, and provide data entry support as necessary.

• Select and run standard reports on collection status and generate ad-hoc reports.

• Compile and present annual report data.

Additional Functions:

• Oversee logistics, such as the scheduling of meeting rooms and venues, catering arrangements, and equipment and materials for meetings.

• Organize speaker schedules and facilitate travel arrangements, as needed.

• Provide general administrative support.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• A positive attitude and the ability to relate well to diverse internal and external constituents and to help foster a community environment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience promoting collections and/or events across a range of platforms.

• Strong organizational skills, budget management, and computer experience required.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively within and across RISD departments and functions in a service-oriented environment.

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team committed to maintaining an inspirational learning environment.

• Knowledge and experience with website content management systems and social media platforms preferred.

• Technical ability to understand and operate imaging/camera equipment available for checkout or loan preferred.

• Experience supervising students or other personnel in an educational setting preferred.

• Previous experience working in a living or non-living natural history collection environment (i.e., museum, zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, science center or other informal learning setting) desirable.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and/or experience in natural history, science and/or art/design and demonstrated ability and professional experience to comprehend the connections between, and to advocate for, the study of both art and science in a natural science setting.

Union:

No

Work Schedule:

35 hours per week; 12 months per year

Employment Status:

Full-time; Non-exempt; Regular

Grade:

825NE

Work Modality

On-campus

Documents Needed to Apply:

Resume (Required)

Cover Letter (Required)

Salary Grade Structure

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.