STEM COACH
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
Full-time
Education
Posted on May 1, 2019
Req #: | 159558 |
Department: | COLLEGE OF THE ENVIRONMENT |
Job Location: | Seattle Campus |
Posting Date: | 08/31/2018 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | Salary is commensurate with education and experience. |
Shift: | First Shift |
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for five consecutive years.
The College of the Environment has an outstanding opportunity for a STEM Coach. The STEM Coach (Continuing Education Specialist 2) serves to advance Seattle MESA's mission to increase science, technology, engineering (STEM) achievement for students, especially those from traditionally under-represented communities. The STEM Coach will contribute to this mission by enriching content delivery for STEM project-based learning experiences for in-class, after school and community-based programs for students, and professional development opportunities for teachers.
Seattle MESA is looking for a STEM Coach who demonstrates passion for working with teachers, communities, parents and students. We desire a partner who will work with us to ensure K – 12 students who represent a wide spectrum of cultural backgrounds are prepared for pursuing STEM degrees and careers. We seek an individual who has well-developed organizational, strong interpersonal, STEM-focused instructional delivery, curriculum development, and facilitation skills. If you are this individual, please review the job description and apply.
About Seattle MESA:
The focus of Seattle MESA is to increase science, technology, engineering (STEM) achievement for students, especially those from traditionally under-represented communities. These groups include but are not limited to: Black/African American, Native/Indigenous American, Pacific Islander, Latino/Hispanic, and female populations. There is a special focus on connecting STEM learning to environmental issues experienced by students and their families. The MESA program's primary role is to provide enrichment activities and curriculum in STEM programs for participating students in order to prepare them for future educational and employment opportunities in STEM fields.
As Seattle MESA develops new programs and augment existing ones, we are revising the current delivery model. Content experts drawn from the University of Washington, professional experts in the greater Seattle community, and from partner school districts, will be consulted to help Seattle MESA significantly enrich our content delivery in innovative and creative ways that support federal and Washington state Science K -12 Learning Standards and Career & Technical Education STEM Course Frameworks/Programs of Study. Content will also focus on STEM fields that have depth and expertise at the University and are simultaneously stepping stones to STEM careers in Washington and beyond.
About the STEM Coach position:
The STEM Coach (Continuing Education Specialist 2) will work with STEM focused content experts and create STEM project-based learning experiences for in-class, after school, and community-based programs, and facilitate STEM lessons for students and professional development opportunities for teachers. Seattle MESA is looking for someone with extremely well-developed organizational skills, able to handle multiple projects all in different states of development and delivery, and all with different needs. Project logistics - including planning the transportation, student permissions, materials and supplies needs, teacher and other expert needs, and data collection commensurate with Washington MESA needs – will be a central focus of this position. These tasks not only require efficiency, but demand diligent planning and conscientious effort with timelines. Advanced ability to plan and track expenses, and to design and maintain spreadsheets and other database structures to track all required data, are essential skills. Advanced ability to multi-task, combined with superior time-management skill, are musts.
We are also looking for someone with demonstrated teamwork, cultural competency, and leadership skills. The MESA program serves all students who express interest in our resources. However, given that our target population of students represent a wide spectrum of cultural backgrounds, it is imperative to the functioning of this position and to the MESA program that the STEM Coach has well developed social and interaction skills. The STEM Coach will work with both middle and high school programs in the Seattle, Mukilteo, Tukwila, and other public school districts.
Responsibilities:
Teacher Support - ensure that individual elementary and middle school teachers in Seattle MESA schools are recruited and retained in Seattle MESA programming:
• Support teachers/students by facilitating innovative, project-based opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM), utilizing Washington state Math & Science K – 12 learning standards.
• Plan, organize, and facilitate teacher professional development for WA MESA Design Competition, Summer STEM Programs, and other STEM focused design competition.
• Supervise and train volunteers/student assistants as well as follow-up with documentation in accordance with UW policies and procedures.
• Evaluate programs and activities.
• Create written reports at the end on a mid-year and yearly basis.
• Attend WA MESA professional development for teachers and staff.
• Support teachers with classroom materials for MESA Day projects, learning tasks, or CTE STEM Program of Study.
• Work with STEM professionals, industry partners, colleges, universities, community organizations, and teachers to create and implement innovative lesson plans for in-class, after school, or community-based programs.
• Create and execute work plans and timelines for MESA Day, Summer STEM Programs, and other STEM focused design competitions.
General - high-level activities that increase planning and sustainability of Seattle MESA programming:
• Design work plans, budgets, and timelines for all Seattle MESA activities that align with its mission and vision, including but not limited to: MESA Day, Industrial Design, and other competitions.
• Create and keep current a scheduling calendar for internal Seattle MESA office use that tracks all Seattle MESA activities, deadlines, and meetings.
• Manage and executive yearly scholarship process for Seattle Advisory Board and WA MESA scholarships
Data and Records - creating and maintaining information and data for Seattle MESA:
• Ensure all student, teacher, and school data are entered and verified in Seattle MESA data systems.
• Distribute, collect and verify all MESA student enrollment (AIF) forms for Seattle MESA programs.
• Maintain accurate data on number and participation of students and teachers, volunteers, and parents as required by Washington MESA and the Seattle MESA Director.
• Use Seattle MESA data systems to track program size and success, and to project needs for future years.
Logistics - work directly with teachers and partners to develop and deliver Seattle MESA programming:
• Secure all transportation needs for each Seattle MESA programs, including but not limited to bus passes, fleet services rentals, and use of private vehicles. Ensure the safety, timeliness, and cost effectiveness of all transportation of Seattle MESA personnel, contractors, and students.
• Secure all space reservations, including but not limited to teaching and meeting spaces at the University of Washington; teaching, meeting, and tutoring spaces off-campus; all needed equipment or other specialized services such as laboratory, computer facilities, and audio-visual needs. Ensure the safety and cost effectiveness of all space use.
• Secure all food and/or catering services for Seattle MESA activities including but not limited to lunch or snacks for students during day-long activities.
• Secure all field site accommodations needed for Seattle MESA field trips. Visit field sites as needed to ensure facilities can accommodate Seattle MESA needs.
• Purchase all needed materials, supplies and equipment for Seattle MESA activities according to the needs of teachers, content professionals designing and delivering the activities, and guided by the activity budgets. Maintain an inventory of all Seattle MESA supplies and equipment.
• Assemble materials and supplies into activity-based kits, working with teachers, content and delivery professionals as needed. Ensure that each activity has the proper protocol and instruction manual(s).
• Ensure that the program coordinator, teachers, and every individual delivering Seattle MESA activities has been fully versed in the use of activity-based kits (equipment, supplies and materials).
• Coordinate guest speakers for Seattle MESA classes and other activities, including but not limited to ensuring speakers are fully informed of the time, place, and content requirements; speakers have their transportation and other needs fully secured, and speakers receive honoraria or other reimbursements as needed and in a timely manner.
Other:
This position supervises Seattle MESA student hourly or work study employees.
As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.
Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in science, technology, engineering or math. Equivalent experience may substitute for the degree requirement.
• Two or more years’ experience teaching students, including working with students, parents, teachers, and community groups from culturally diverse backgrounds in an educational setting.
• Awareness of cultural issues impacting the education of African-American, Native American, Pacific Islander and Latino/Hispanic students.
• Knowledge of and commitment to Washington MESA, Seattle MESA, and College of the Environment goals and efforts.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize assignments, and follow through with minimal direction in order to perform effectively under conditions of frequent interruptions, fluctuating workloads, and conflicting time demands.
• Experience developing and maintaining workplans and timelines for complex activities. Ability to organize material, information, and personnel in a systematic way to optimize efficiency and minimize duplication of effort.
• Ability to deliver a project or program on budget, and ability to produce realistic budgets for complex and/or ongoing activities with multiple personnel and/or individual events.
• Ability to establish and maintain a broad range of campus, school district, and statewide liaisons to interact effectively with Program/Project directors and various educational organizations.
• Proficiency in computer, technology and social media skills, specifically including advanced word processing (such as Word), web content management, spreadsheet programs (e.g., Excel), knowledge of database systems, and ability to design reports from existing databases.
• Ability to design and deliver events involving dozens to hundreds of people. Demonstrated skill in coordinating special events (e.g., workshops, meetings, conferences), including negotiating service contracts.
• Strong communication skills, including writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel to off-campus sites and work some evenings and/or weekends. A valid U.S. driver’s license.
• Basic to proficient ability to communicate in one or more foreign languages.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as license/certification/registration.
Desired Qualifications:
• Master's degree in science, technology, engineering or math.
• Experience in environmental science, including but not limited to geosciences, living resources, marine sciences, conservation, restoration, climate science, and sustainability science.
• Proficient bi-lingual speaker.
• Knowledge of university- and campus or state wide administrative and academic organizations, and ability to work directly with University of Washington student services staff.
• Knowledge of Washington State Public Schools educational reform efforts and familiarity with the function of OSPI.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Priority consideration will be given to application received by September 14,2018.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.