Graduate Assistant – K-12 Robotics Center Specialist at University of Nevada, Reno

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our recruitment helpline at (775) 784-1495 or [email protected]. For UNR Med professional job postings, please contact the Office of Professional Recruitment at (775) 784-6778. 

The University of Nevada, Reno Innevation Center is actively seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Graduate Assistant to serve as the K-12 Robotics Center Specialist. This role presents a unique opportunity for a passionate graduate student to play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of robotics education within the center. The Robotics Center Specialist, with support from the Innevation Center Business Manager and Makerspace Specialist, will lead the charge in developing and implementing innovative robotics programs for K-12 students, fostering a hands-on learning environment that sparks curiosity and creativity.

Responsibilities

• Leadership in Robotics Education:

  • Assume a leadership role in designing and delivering cutting-edge robotics programs tailored to various age groups and skill levels.
     

• Curriculum Development and Innovation:

  • Drive the creation of dynamic and engaging robotics curriculum, incorporating the latest advancements in STEM education and working with established local and national organizations.

  • Foster an environment of innovation, encouraging students to explore and experiment with robotics technology.
     

• Hands-On Instruction and Facilitation:

  • Take a hands-on approach in facilitating robotics workshops and classes, providing expert guidance in robot building, programming, and problem-solving.

  • Cultivate a passion for robotics by creating memorable and impactful learning experiences.
     

• Community Engagement and Partnership Building:

  • Collaborate with local schools, community organizations, and industry partners to expand the reach of robotics programs.

  • Establish and nurture relationships that contribute to the growth and sustainability of the Robotics Center.

  • Create and send a newsletter detailing recent events, upcoming opportunities, and more on a quarterly basis.
     

• Team Scheduling and Coordination:

  • Manage schedules for Robotics Center activities, ensuring seamless coordination with the administrative team.

  • Foster an organized and efficient operational environment for successful program execution.
     

• Onboarding and Training:

  • Develop comprehensive onboarding programs for K-12 robotics center teams, ensuring a seamless integration into the Center's mission and values.

  • Provide ongoing training to team members, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to deliver impactful robotics education.
     

• Collaboration with Administrative Team:

  • Work collaboratively with the administrative team to align robotics initiatives with the broader goals of the Innevation Center.

  • Provide regular updates on program development, successes, and challenges.
     

• Robotics Center Specialization and Industry Awareness:

  • Serve as a subject matter expert in the field of robotics, staying abreast of industry trends, educational methodologies, and emerging technologies.

  • Contribute valuable insights to the ongoing growth and evolution of the Robotics Center.
     

• Flexible Schedule and Academic Overload:

  • Demonstrate flexibility in working hours to accommodate the dynamic nature of robotics programs, including evenings and weekends.

  • Pursue opportunities to contribute up to 30 hours weekly (not required) with the necessary approvals.

Required Qualifications 

• Candidate must be a graduate student in a master’s program at the University of Nevada, Reno

• To be eligible for an assistantship, students must:

  • Be admitted to a degree-granting program and be in good academic standing

  • Have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and must be continuously enrolled in at least 6 graduate-level credits (600-700) throughout the duration of the assistantship
     

• Candidate must have good leadership and communication skills, the ability to follow directions, adaptive learning capabilities, and the ability to work independently

• Candidate must be detail-oriented, organized, efficient, and reliable

• Candidate must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite

• Candidate will need submit to a background check through the University Police Department

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience in robotics with a hands-on background in building and programming robots.

• Track record of developing and delivering successful educational programs, particularly in robotics.

• Exceptional communication and instructional skills, with an ability to inspire and engage diverse audiences.

• Collaborative mindset and a demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team-oriented environment.

• Genuine passion for fostering the interest and skill development of K-12 students in the realm of robotics.

• Experience working with children of all ages.

Schedule  

Expected hours to work per week: 20 (up to 30 with approved overload form)

Compensation Grade

Graduate Assistant

Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment/s viewable to you will be the attachment/s to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment/s to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment/s will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at [email protected].

Attach the following attachment(s) to your application

Resume/CV – (required) List a detailed description of the major duties that you performed as part of each job. You must demonstrate that you qualify for the position and your education and experience must be clearly documented.

Cover Letter – (required)

Contact Information for at least One Reference – (required) Please include name, contact information, and relationship.

Class Schedule for the Upcoming Semester – (required)

This posting is open until filled

Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made.

A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.

Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). 

About Us

The University of Nevada, Reno is a leading public research university committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s original land-grant university, the University serves more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 63 countries.

Classified by the Carnegie® Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 (“Very High Research”) university, it is also recognized in the Carnegie® Community Engagement classification. The University is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the “Best National Universities” and “Best National Public Universities.” It also ranks in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the New York Times’ “Top Colleges for Economic Diversity.”

Since 2009, nearly $1 billion has been has invested in advanced labs, facilities, and residence halls on the main campus. The University is home to Nevada’s first medical school – the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and the Wayne L. Prim Campus at Lake Tahoe, where education, research, and creative work thrive in a stunning mountain setting. The University delivers on its original land-grant mission with outreach across the state through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and Wolf Pack Athletics.

The main campus is in Reno, Nevada, a burgeoning global technology hub with a vibrant midtown and downtown. Found where the high desert of the Great Basin meets the High Sierra and Lake Tahoe, the beautiful, 290-acre main campus is also a Nevada State Arboretum. The University’s physical infrastructure is expanding with ongoing construction of the newly named John Tullock Business Building, set to open in fall 2025. Groundbreaking is also planned for a new State Public Health Laboratory Building on campus, alongside the recent acquisition of 16 parcels near campus, known as “University Village,” to provide affordable housing for graduate students and early career faculty.

Collaborating with world-renowned organizations, the University fosters innovation through initiatives such as the Digital Wolf Pack partnership with Apple, which ensures equitable access to technology for students, providing new incoming freshman or transfer students with an iPad Air and accessories. Google’s TechWise initiate is an 18-month program that fully supports undergraduate students in becoming entry-level software engineers by graduation.

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that Nevada – led by the University of Nevada, Reno – was named one of the inaugural 31 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (TechHubs). Nevada was selected from a competitive pool of 489 applicants from across the United States and its territories. Nevada’s Tech Hub will strengthen America’s lithium batteries, critical elements and other electric vehicle materials industry sectors within the state.

Through its commitment to high-impact education, world-improving research and creative activity, and outreach that’s transforming Nevada’s communities and businesses, the University continues its 150-year tradition of benefitting our state, nation and world.

The University recognizes that diversity promotes excellence in education and research. The inclusive and engaged community on campus recognizes the added value that students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds bring to the educational experience.

Today, the University delivers on its original land-grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics, facilities, support, engagement and vibrant campus life that promote our diverse students’ cognitive growth and academic achievement – all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education.

For more information, please visit the University’s website.

University of Nevada, Reno