The Girls in Science Coordinator is responsible for developing, coordinating, and teaching STEM-based curriculum within the Girls in Science afterschool program for 3rd-5th grade students at their elementary schools. Primary program responsibilities include instruction, curriculum development and revision, and materials management. The Girls in Science Coordinator also supervises and mentors other Walking Mountains staff, graduate fellows, and contract instructors who teach the program. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Coordination:

• Coordinate program logistics at eight elementary schools while fostering working relationships with school administration, office staff, teachers, and parents.
• Actively market and promote the Girls in Science program to enroll culturally diverse groups of students.
• Maintain a database of student information to help support targeted recruitment and ongoing engagement opportunities.
• Build program awareness through social media, web, and print materials in partnership with Walking Mountains’ marketing staff.
• Recruit, hire, and collaborate with part-time Girls in Science instructors.
  •  Assist with mentoring and supervising Foley Graduate Fellows who are also Girls in Science instructors.
  • Assist with mentoring and supervising seasonal winter naturalists who are helping with Girls in Science as part of their Community Programs Internship.
• Create, purchase, develop, and maintain detailed inventory and organizational system for all materials, equipment supplies, and lesson plans.

Program Development:

• Maintain and continue to develop unit-based curriculum with a STEM-focus for 3rd-5th grade students.
  • Ensure curriculum content is engaging, student-centered, inquiry-based, scientifically accurate, age-appropriate.
  • Create opportunities for students to meet with guest speakers who work professionally in STEM-related fields
  • Collaborate with STEM Curiosity Lab Coordinator to develop a diversity and flow of lessons between elementary and middle school level programs and envision an expansion program opportunity into high school programs
• Design weeklong STEM-related summer science camps in collaboration with the Youth Programs Coordinator – Summer Camp.
• Collaborate with STEM Curiosity Lab Coordinator to plan efforts to engage Girls In Science participants and families in evening, weekend, and end-of-school year events.
• Document student attendance, pre- and post- unit assessment and interest surveys, and parent and teacher survey data while maintaining effective systems for tracking and evaluating data. Use data to influence future program decisions.
• Write a detailed and comprehensive annual report of the Girls in Science program.

Program Instruction:

• Teach weekly Girls in Science afterschool programs at three public elementary schools.
• Establish a safe, healthy, supportive, and collaborative learning environment for students and co-instructors.
• Collaborate with elementary school teachers to align Girls in Science curriculum with their classroom instruction.
• Align activities with student interests and allow for flexibility in content week to week.
• Co-teach three summer science camps, focusing on STEM-based or Girls in STEM camps.
• Maintain a personal knowledge of the evolving field of science and STEM education theory and trends, hands-on and inquiry-based education, and other pertinent educational philosophy and use this to continue to grow and develop the Girls in Science program.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Actively participate in Walking Mountains Science Center staff meetings, committees, and staff retreats.
• Attend and assist in Youth Programs seasonal training and professional development.
• Assist and/or substitute teach within other Youth Programs, as needed.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications
Required:

• CPR/First Aid Certification
• Bachelor’s Degree in Education or STEM-Related Field
• At least one year K-8 formal or informal teaching experience
• Knowledge of inquiry-based learning
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to provide exceptional customer service
• Self-motivated, team oriented, and creative
• Positive, flexible, and friendly
• Ability to effectively work on diverse teams or with a diverse range of people
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Current driver’s license and safe driving record for the past 5 years

Preferred:

• Teaching experience in science, math, technology or elementary education or related fields
• Ability to communicate in Spanish
• Curriculum design and development experience

Work Environment:

• 55% desk-based office work, 30% classroom-based program instruction, 15% other (travel, materials procurement, etc.)
• Open office work environment
  • Ability and flexibility to work remotely when not teaching or needing to be on campus (set up through the Flexible Work Arrangement Policy).
• Frequent collaboration with STEM Curiosity Lab Coordinator
• Personal vehicle preferred to travel to/from schools where programs are offered

Organizational Overview: Founded in 1998, Walking Mountains Science Center’s mission is to awaken a sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship and sustainability through natural science education.  As an employee of our organization, you are a member of an inclusive and dynamic team that values community, professionalism, collaboration, diversity, equity, a positive work environment and a passion for the mission of Walking Mountains and the impact it’s making in the community. For more information, please visit: Why Walking Mountains?

Compensation and Benefits:

• $48,000-$50,000 starting annual salary
• Employer-supplemented health, dental, and vision insurance on the first day of the month following 60 days of employment
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• 15 days of PTO (starting), 12 paid holidays, and 12 days sick leave
• Flexible Spending Account and Healthcare Savings Account options
• Life insurance and short-term disability insurance
• Discounted ski pass (Vail and Beaver Creek resorts)
• Professional Development opportunities

Contact: For more information and details on the application and interview process, please contact Lara Carlson, Senior Programs Director, (970) 827-9725x129 or larac@walkingmountains.org