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Position Information

Classification TitleTemporary Hourly

Employment CategoryTemporary

Is this an Hourly position?Yes

Work Hours/Week0-40

Overtime Eligible?Yes

Position LocationDenver, CO 80216

Does this position qualify for hybrid or remote work?No

Description of Work Unit

The Colorado State University ( CSU ) System, along with its partners, has developed a unique and exciting public facility called CSU Spur at the National Western Center in Denver, Colorado. The CSU Spur campus houses three buildings focused on water, food and agriculture, human and animal health, and sustainability. Within the Spur buildings, CSU conducts research and convenes experts from around the globe; students of all ages engage with science and have opportunities for exploratory learning, transforming their thinking about food, water, and health, and the careers available in these fields; and partners join in programming the space and bringing evolving content to the year-round campus. CSU Spur is part of alarger 250-acre redevelopment project, which started in 2013 and reimagines what the National Western Center can be, creates a site that will support the National Western Stock Show long-term, and makes the location a year-round destination. CSU Spur was created with anAnchor Institution framework (https://source.colostate.edu/csu-spur-anchored-in-community/) and is committed to supporting the surrounding communities through the programming and activities developed at the campus.

More information about CSU Spur is available atwww.csuspur.org.

The One Water Solutions Institute ( OWSI ) within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University connects campus expertise with public and private partners to advance sustainable water management through applied research, technology innovation, and technical training.

OWSI operates several collaborative initiatives, including the Water Technology Acceleration Platform (Water TAP ) at CSU Spur in Denver. Water TAP serves as a testbed and demonstration hub for emerging water technologies, supporting CSU researchers, industry partners, and utilities in developing and validating solutions for water reuse, resource recovery, and watershed resilience.

More information is available at:https://owsi.colostate.edu/centers-of-innovation/water-tap/

Search Contact [email protected]

Position Summary

CSU Spur is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the Education Team as a Spur Education Support Specialist and Laboratory Technician. This individual will be part of a team designing and delivering programs at the CSU Spur campus in Denver that inspire life-long learners to tackle global problems around food, water, and health, and will play a key role in the future of educational offerings at a brand-new state-of-the art campus. They will also provide technical support for some laboratory spaces on campus, including the Water TAP and Spur educational labs – the Hydro Teaching Lab and Morgridge Learning Lab.

As an Education Support Specialist, they will support the CSU Spur vision and Education Team by executing the daily programmatic logistics and delivery necessary for successful educational experiences at Spur for PreK-12th grade audiences, families, community partners, and general campus guests. This position is responsible for delivering educational content both in classroom program facilitation and exhibit interpretation, engaging with on site visitors, providing off-site and virtual programming, and collaborating with staff and volunteers to support the programmatic goals of the CSU Spur campus. They will also support some laboratory functions of the Hydro Teaching Lab and Morgridge Learning Lab, including maintenance and monitoring of equipment and protocols.

As a Laboratory Support Technician, they provide technical support for laboratory and pilot-scale operations within the Water Technology Acceleration Platform (Water TAP ), managed by the One Water Solutions Institute ( OWSI ) at CSU Spur. The position is responsible for assisting with the setup, operation, and maintenance of treatment, monitoring, and reuse systems used for applied research and technology demonstration. Duties include collecting and managing water samples and data, maintaining equipment and safety documentation, and coordinating with faculty, students, and external partners to support experimental and demonstration activities. The technician also contributes to administrative and logistical tasks such as purchasing, scheduling, and maintaining inventory to ensure efficient and safe laboratory operations.

This role has a planned weekly schedule, which may include one weekend day (2nd Saturday of the month) and some evenings. Work will occur on site at CSU Spur in Denver and may include outreach events in the community. The individual in this role may work up to 30 hours per week.

This position is supervised by the CSU Spur Senior Education Manager.

Program Areas of Interpretation:

+ Food: In the Terra building, education staff will be working with partners on controlled agriculture, food systems education, urban gardening, nutrition education, and food development processes.

+ Water: In the Hydro building, educators will partner with Denver Water experts to provide experiences around water conservation, quality, and water systems. Programming will include usage of an outdoor backyard garden space that connects to the South Platte River for riparian ecosystem programming.

+ Health: In the Vida building, the education team will interpret live veterinary procedures, equine-assisted services, and equine rehabilitation therapy in partnership with Humane Colorado, the Temple Grandin Equine Center, and CSU Equine Sports Medicine, providing opportunities for visitors and school groups to learn about animal and human health through active observation and engagement.

Individuals in this role will learn new and innovative ways to provide educational programming through virtual reality, in person hands on interactive experiences, live virtual programming, exhibit interpretation, indoor and outdoor learning opportunities, and live interpretation of on show surgical procedures, animal therapy, equine-assisted services, as well as cooking, planting, and water demonstrations.

Flexibility and an openness to learn and try new ideas and experiences is highly encouraged.

Position Minimum Qualifications

+ 2 years experience working with children, families, and multigenerational audiences, which may include working in schools, informal education, or customer service.

+ 1 year of experience delivering programs for multigenerational audiences or college students in laboratory spaces, and using equipment in laboratory spaces.

+ Demonstrated experience in public speaking or public demonstrations.

+ Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, Excel).

Preferred Qualifications

+ 3 or more years experience working with children, families, and multigenerational audiences, which may include working in schools, informal education, or customer service.

+ Ability to communicate with program constituents in both Spanish and English.

+ Familiar with scientific concepts surrounding food, water, and environmental health.

+ Demonstrated experience delivering exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.

+ Demonstrated knowledge of, and relevant ability with, communities in urban and rural settings.

+ Demonstrated experience working with partners and stakeholders to determine needs for programs, classes, and activities.

+ Demonstrated exceptional verbal and written communication skills in preparing and presenting educational information.

+ Passion and excitement for connecting visitors to food, water, and health.

+ Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree.

+ Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation.

+ Experience with environmental or engineering laboratory procedures, instrumentation, and/or water monitoring systems.

+ Familiarity with CSU administrative systems, purchasing processes, and safety compliance protocols.

+ Demonstrated strength in organizational, communication, and documentation skills with attention to detail.

+ Ability to work independently and collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and project partners in a dynamic, applied research environment.

Posting Details

Working TitleCSU Spur Education Support Specialist and Laboratory Technician

Posting Number202500684T

DepartmentSPUR Administration

Salary Range$23.00-$25.00

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

+ Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/02/benefits-summary-hourly.pdf)

+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

+ For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

+ Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Close Date10/20/2025

Special Instructions to Applicants

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all 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.

Essential Job Duties

Job Duty CategoryProgram Facilitation

Duty/Responsibility

+ Lead educational programs for multigenerational audiences, PreK-12th grade school groups, educators, and events.

+ Lead program and classroom set up and clean up.

+ Maintain classroom spaces, materials, and educational facilities.

+ Collaborate with Education team to ensure programmatic details are organized.

+ Utilize interpretation techniques to communicate effectively in noisy, crowded situations and adapt to unexpected situations.

+ Engage students and multigenerational visitors through exhibit interpretation, including interpreting procedures, demonstrations, and scientific research happening throughout the buildings at CSU Spur.

+ Collaborate with on-site faculty, veterinary specialists, researchers, and partners to deliver program interpretation.

+ Support evaluation through data collection.

+ Participate in new staff training and onboarding.

+ Participate in ongoing professional development and training.

+ Ability to travel off site for events and school programs to represent CSU Spur and the CSU System.

Percentage Of Time45

Job Duty CategoryProgram Development and Support

Duty/Responsibility

+ Lead educational team projects as assigned including exhibit guide creation, materials development, visitor services development, virtual reality program creation, public program creation, etc.

+ Work with the Education team to organize and manage education program systems and logistics as needed.

+ Support development of new program offerings and educational materials as needed in collaboration with Education team.

+ Support program evaluation.

+ Support organization of informational packets and materials for group visits and public presentations.

Percentage Of Time10

Job Duty CategoryLaboratory Support (Education)

Duty/Responsibility

+ Manage lab supplies, safety logs, and inventories to ensure compliance with CSU and facility standards.

+ Assist in the coordination for lab access, maintenance schedules, and vendor communication for equipment servicing.

Percentage Of Time5

Job Duty CategoryEducation Team Support

Duty/Responsibility

+ Attend and contribute to team meetings.

+ Support the growth and development of CSU Spur programmatic goals.

Percentage Of Time5

Job Duty CategoryLaboratory Support (OWSI / Water TAP)

Duty/Responsibility

+ Maintain and operate laboratory and pilot-scale systems (e.g., water treatment, graywater, reuse, and monitoring equipment).

+ Assist with sample collection, equipment setup, troubleshooting, and data documentation for partner projects.

+ Manage lab supplies, safety logs, and inventories to ensure compliance with CSU and facility standards.

+ Coordinate lab access, maintenance schedules, and vendor communication for equipment servicing.

Percentage Of Time30

Job Duty CategoryAdministrative Support (OWSI / Water TAP)

Duty/Responsibility

+ Provide general administrative and logistical support for OWSI and Water TAP programs, including purchasing, scheduling, and recordkeeping.

+ Track project activities and schedules and use of shared lab resources.

+ Support event coordination, tours, and partner communications at the CSU Spur Hydro building.

Percentage Of Time5

References

Minimum References Required

Maximum References Required

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

+ Resume

+ Cover Letter

Optional Documents