STEM Education Specialist

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Job description

Cover letter should accompany your resume.

Southern Research is a translational research institute that transforms ideas into innovation and innovation into jobs and economic opportunity. Southern Research's STEM Education Outreach program is involved in a wide variety of programs that impact students and teachers in Alabama. The mission of SR's STEM program is to enhance K-20 STEM education by drawing upon the expertise and scholarly contributions of the Southern Research community. We aim to define and exemplify effective STEM education to maximize students' readiness to excel in a rapidly changing world. We are working to achieve our education mission by engaging students and teachers in STEM activities through summer learning programs, field trips experiences, in-school programs, STEM competitions and science fairs, Co-ops and internships, pre-service fellowships and training programs, and professional learning workshops for STEM educators. Our primary objective is to embolden students who possess a passion for innovation and discovery to pursue their interests and strengthen the STEM community. Southern Research is committed to fostering creativity and impacting the future generation.
The STEM Education Specialist is responsible for working with the STEM Education Outreach team to develop, implement, direct, and monitor STEM education outreach programs at Southern Research. The STEM Education Specialist will work directly with the STEM Education Outreach Director on an array of projects to help maximize Southern Research's impact on science education in Alabama. This individual will manage a project portfolio that operationalizes strategic goals set forth by the STEM Education Outreach Director. The Specialist will collaborate with multiple stakeholders to identify, design, and deliver educational programs that fill knowledge gaps and provide career exploration and preparation opportunities. To fill this position, Southern Research is looking for an energetic and nimble executor who thinks critically, effectively collaborates with team members to achieve mission-critical outcomes, demonstrates a commitment to STEM education, and has a passion for expanding STEM learning throughout the state.

ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Support the STEM Education Outreach Director in developing and implementing STEM learning experiences for K-20 students and educators, including field trips, summer academies, outreach opportunities, internships and Co-ops, and professional learning workshops.
• Facilitate and lead hands-on STEM activities for K-20 students and educators
o Prepare materials and reagents for various STEM activities
o Transport supplies to schools and outreach events
o Engage K-20 students and educators in thoughtful discussions during activities
o Facilitate student/instructor interactions and assist with classroom management
• Manage and grow our undergraduate Leadership Initiative for Future Teachers (LIFT) program
o Supervisory responsibilities of undergraduate LIFT Fellows
o Plan professional learning opportunities geared towards pre-service teachers
o Collaborate with UABTeach to expand the LIFT program and find creative solutions to help address Alabama's math/science teacher shortage.
o Serve as a mentor to undergraduate LIFT Fellows
o Coordinate schedules for undergraduate LIFT fellows
• Identify, develop, and administer new initiatives and programs to improve STEM education in underserved communities.
• Coordinate and schedule field trips and outreach initiatives; monitor registration/application processes
• Coordinate pre-arrival and onsite non-instructional activities, including implementing check-in/out procedures, arranging travel accommodations, distributing information and materials, etc.
• Collect, analyze, and evaluate program data and prepare quarterly and annual reports
• Provide leadership in planning, designing, developing, and implementing outreach programs and instructional materials in coordination with the STEM team.
• Carry out special projects to develop new instructional programs and courses
• Grant proposal development and reporting when appropriate
• Develop marketing materials as needed
• Collaborate with all Educational Outreach areas to implement overarching mission goals.
• Maintain the safety and function of the STEM Education Outreach Center. Oversee inventory and order new materials in a timely manner.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
• Zealous believer in SR's education purpose and vision-so invigorated by our "why" that you have an irrepressible impulse to speak about what we are doing to strangers.
• Highly collaborative - You care less about who did it than how it got done. You take pride in shared outcomes, and you believe the whole is greater than the sum of the parts when it comes to team efforts.
• Master in the art of science storytelling, and you're known to align the message to meet the needs and prior context of the listener. You're able to communicate STEM topics appropriate for K-20 students and educator audiences.
• Fired up when team members succeed.
• Expresses a passion for working with K-20 students and educators.
• Works well with students, educators, and STEM staff.
• Enjoys working with undergraduate students, especially those interested in pursuing a career in education.
• Possesses excellent time management, organizational skills, and is detail-oriented.
• Outgoing and energetic personality.
• Proven self-starter with demonstrated ability to make decisions.
• Demonstrates proactive approach in learning new material and able to work with little or no direct supervision.
• Excels in relationship building, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrates a high degree of integrity, professionalism, civility, and ethics in all job-related activities.
• Service-oriented with exceptional attention to detail and well-developed written and oral communication skills
• This position will visit Alabama schools and instruct programs. Must hold a current driver's license. (Mileage will be reimbursed at current U.S. GSA rates).
• Proficient in utilizing dynamic technologies (e.g., Microsoft Office, G-Suite, etc.) in a professional setting; Adobe CC suite competency is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in a STEM-related field or Education required.
We believe strongly that "getting it right is more important than being right." If you observe details to continuously improve processes, look for opportunities to create regular feedback loops to refine, and love measuring what matters, we are looking for you.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to travel to schools across Alabama, possibly including overnight trips.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• 5 years' experience working with K-20 students in a formal or informal educational settings
• Experience in designing STEM outreach activities for K-20 students and educators
• Master's or equivalent experience and expertise regarding K-20 STEM education issues and best practices.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES
• Must have strong undergraduate aptitude in STEM fields
• Ability to organize programs, personnel, and activities required for productive learning
• Knowledge of the current theories, techniques, and methodologies of STEM

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS.
• Frequent standing, sitting and walking. The Specialist must be able to move through labs and educational spaces for several hours with ease and navigate stairways.
• Frequently position self (e.g., stoop, crouch, crawl, bend) and pull/push, grasp/squeeze, wrist flexion/extension, reach to operate, and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Frequently moving, transporting, and positioning materials up to 40 pounds.
• Evening and extended hours may be occasionally required as business dictates.
• Some local and overnight travel is required.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES & REGISTRATIONS
• Driver's License

ORGANIZATIONAL CORE VALUES
• Integrity - we adhere to a code of sound ethical behavior that builds trust and confidence in all we do. We clearly communicate expectations and provide reliable results and candid feedback to our employees, customers and stakeholders.
• Safety and environment - we are an environmentally conscious, safety-first organization. We value our employees and our planet and conduct our business consistent with that priority.
• Excellence - We understand and consistently meet or exceed our internal and external customer's expectations. We are accountable for timelines, quality and cost.
• Individual and community focused - We promote an open, collaborative and supportive environment by respecting the rights and contributions of every individual. We openly communicate information and ideas to our stakeholders; customers; employees; and the larger community.
• Innovation - We explore ideas and create solutions to global needs. We use science and engineering to solve the world's most difficult problems.

JOB SPECIFIC BEHAVIORS
• Planning and Organization - Systematically identifies issues to be addressed and plans a course of action for self and others to ensure the accomplishment of specific objectives
• Adaptability - Works effectively under changing conditions. Approaches change or newness positively and tries to understand rationale for new direction. Adjust behavior accordingly.
• Attention to Detail - Ensures details of assigned tasks are followed as the results will impact other aspects of a project. Utilizes ongoing procedures to collect and review information needed to support projects or other ongoing activities click apply for full job details

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