STEM Education Specialist- Community Science Partnerships

The Maine Math & Science Alliance (MMSA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that finds inspiring new ways to get people excited about science, technology, engineering and math today, so that our youth can become the innovators and workforce of tomorrow. MMSA supports educators to teach science, technology, engineering and math in more meaningful ways by: 

• Developing professional development experiences for K-12 educators
• Conducting research and evaluation of STEM learning experiences
• Building relationships and networks to sustain systemic statewide improvement

Position Title: STEM Education Specialist 

FTE: 100% 

Qualifications and Selection Criteria: 

• A degree in a science-related field.
• Ability to clearly communicate any aspect of science is essential, with preference for communication of natural resource-based sciences.  
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining community partnerships. 
• Familiarity with learning technologies including learning management systems and online and application-based games – plus the ability to quickly adapt to new technologies.
• Experience working with youth including in- and out- of school settings.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work as an essential and productive member of a team.
• Ability to work in a telecommuting-based team with a wide range of personalities and interests.
• Preference given to individuals with experience in place-based or community-based education programming and pedagogy.
• Experience in science education/outreach preferred. 
• Preference given to candidates that have demonstrated ability in developing and implementing professional learning experiences for educators.

Purpose of the Position 

The STEM Education Specialist will work closely with the STEMPorts team and the WeatherBlur online citizen science learning community to advance these technology-infused, place-based education projects. STEMPorts connects and engages communities in Maine around STEM workforce development. The project involves youth and families co-designing an augmented-reality (AR), STEM learning game.  The WeatherBlur citizen science program builds collaboration online and on-the-ground between youth, their local communities, and scientists as they design and lead scientific investigations about the natural world around them to answer community questions.   

This position will be a key team member for both of these projects, bringing a solid understanding of science content and how to communicate the content to a variety of audiences.  This position will utilize these skills to build partnerships, design learning materials for youth and educators, and design trainings for educators to utilize these materials.  

MMSA offers a flexible work schedule that includes working off-site with the approval of the supervisor.  Staff are expected to be in the office each Wednesday for staff meetings and at other times as needed. This position will need to travel regularly across the state, including overnights, to locations elsewhere in Maine. Travel expenses are reimbursed by MMSA.