Founded in 2006, the Biomimicry Institute is a 501(c)(3) that empowers people to create nature-inspired solutions for a healthy planet.  We believe that biomimicry – an approach to innovation that looks to nature’s time-tested designs and processes for inspiration – can be a catalyst for radically sustainable solutions. For more information, please visit biomimicry.org and asknature.org.

Through its youth education initiatives, the Biomimicry Institute is preparing a new generation of innovation leaders. The students of today will shape the workforce in ten years, so they need to be equipped with the skills and mindsets to create and advocate for regenerative solutions and communities. To lead and grow this effort, we are seeking a Director of Youth Education with strong partnership expertise to join our team.

The Director will oversee the Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge (YDC), the Institute’s flagship youth education program, as well as other aligned youth education initiatives. The YDC is an interdisciplinary and project-based STEM learning experience for middle and high school students in both classroom and out-of-school settings. In this program students become biomimicry innovators as they work in teams to research a real-world problem, study how organisms in nature have adapted to similar challenges in their environment, and use what they learn to model an innovative new solution. First piloted in 2018 with 50 teachers, the YDC has grown rapidly in just 3 years with over 400 educators accessing the program curriculum and resources in 2020. We are now poised to extend and broaden its impact to reach more teachers and students.

The Director will lead the effort to scale and refine the existing YDC program with a focus on the development of strategic partnerships (e.g. with school districts, community organizations, non-formal education centers, and nationally networked science, education, and environment organizations) that can enhance program delivery, educator training, and equity/inclusion, while ensuring a high-quality learning experience. The foundation for this expansion has been laid in a recently completed landscape analysis with recommended activities and a prototype 3-year program plan. We now seek an innovative education leader and connector to take ownership over this plan, build the relationships necessary for success, and oversee the scaling of our materials to multiple partners.

The ideal candidate is passionate about youth, nature, and innovation, and has a proven background in STE(A)M education, project-based learning, environmental literacy, or a related area. He/she will have also successfully grown an educational product, service, or initiative to a varied audience of students and educators.

Core Responsibilities

• Oversee all youth education and engagement efforts at the Biomimicry Institute
• Finalize the youth education/YDC strategic program plan and budget, prioritizing among competing good ideas for scaling and enhancing the program.
• Identify and secure partnerships necessary for program strategy, in collaboration with the Executive Director.
• Oversee program evaluation efforts and impact reporting
• Shared responsibility with the ED and/or Development Director to write content for grants and reports to help secure the program’s annual budget
• Communicate effectively about our mission and program goals and help improve messaging and outreach to youth, educators, partners, and funders
• Direct/manage the ongoing refinement and development of educator resources, including curricula, videos, toolkits, handouts and web-based resources.
• Direct/manage the development of educator training and professional learning opportunities.
• Plan and implement professional development workshops and online experiences for educators, in collaboration with program staff and contractors.
• Coach educators/schools/organizations to support their lesson planning and program implementation, in collaboration with program staff and contractors.
• Support the development of a robust, networked community of educators who are bringing biomimicry into youth education.
• Supervise and manage hiring of staff and contractors necessary to execute program objectives.
• Deliver high-profile speaking engagements about the Institute and the program.
• Engage with directors of other Institute programs for effective organization wide cross pollination

Management

The Director of Youth Education will report to the Executive Director and will have one immediate direct report, the YDC Program Manager, and at least two matrixed reports, Program Assistant and Communications Manager. In addition, the Director may oversee one or more contractor(s) who bring curriculum expertise to the program.

Minimum Qualifications

• College degree; advanced degree or five years equivalent work experience preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in advancing youth education, with an emphasis on one or more of the following: STE(A)M, project-based learning, environmental literacy, or a related area. The ideal candidate will have a background combining both classroom and program management experience and, ideally, experience with digital delivery of education programs/services.
• Proven ability to secure partnerships, with schools/districts, community organizations, non-formal education centers (e.g. zoos, aquarium, museums, or similar), and/or nationally networked science, education, and environment organizations.
• Solid knowledge of evidence-based best practices for youth education and experience planning and/or delivering professional learning experiences to educators.
• Knowledge and experience with racial and social equity and capacity to apply and advance equity in the delivery of the Biomimicry Institute’s youth education programming.
• Independent, professional, and reliable worker with excellent performance history in prior positions.
• Ability to work effectively in an entirely remote setting, with occasional travel for workshops, events, and partnership development.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Interest or experience with bio-inspired design and passion for elevating and empowering youth as positive change-agents
• Experience designing effective interdisciplinary education experiences with a focus on innovation and problem-solving (e.g. project/problem based learning, design thinking, etc.)
• Knowledge/experience in education program evaluation and impact assessment
• Collaborative and skilled at developing good working relationships with organizational colleagues, partners, and contractors
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment, handling multiple tasks
• Exceptional trouble-shooting and problem-solving skills, ability to resolve issues proactively and creatively
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong administrative skills, attention to detail, and proven ability to plan and manage projects and meet deadlines.
• Innovative strategic thinking skills
• Experience working in coalitions and/or collaborative settings
• Ability to motivate and inspire others to take action
• Proven leadership skills, including success in a supervisory role
• Sound judgment and critical thinking
• Team player

Location

This is a fully remote position. Candidates in the San Francisco Bay Area preferred, but will also consider residents of California, Washington state, Oregon, or Montana