Senior Science Educator: Environmental Scientist

Senior Science Educator: Environmental Scientist

SUMMARY

Are you an environmental scientist who wants to apply your deep research knowledge more broadly across disciplines to support science teachers? Would you like to help others develop their understanding our environment through a systems-based approach that builds on fundamental concepts in science? Do you collaboratively engage in using data to analyze and explain real-world environmental issues? Are you ready to guide teachers, students, and the general public in thinking through human impacts, adaptations, and solutions to challenges to our environment? Do you love teaching and seek opportunities to share in learning?

The Exploratorium Teacher Institute (TI) is seeking a PhD scientist who is passionate about the above questions and is excited to work in our informal education setting, supporting secondary science teachers in their efforts to make science and engineering engaging for their students. We are specifically seeking someone with expertise in environmental science with the ability to explain complex ideas using basic principles from multiple science disciplines. The Senior Science Educator will work closely with a faculty of PhD scientists and veteran classroom teachers in developing and implementing programs for science teachers by providing content support for TI programs, including the creation of hands-on, inquiry-based activities for teaching science. The position requires a proactive, highly organized person with excellent science teaching, science communication, and writing skills.

The Exploratorium Teacher Institute is a nationally recognized teacher professional development center that promotes inquiry-rich teaching and learning in middle and high school science classrooms. TI’s mission is to create and support a collaborative community of teachers, at all levels of their careers, through professional development that joyfully emphasizes the teaching and learning of science as a process for understanding the world around us. TI’s body of work includes face-to-face workshops, online courses and resources, and research on teacher learning. This work is developed locally at the Exploratorium and implemented broadly through regional, national, and international partnerships. Learn more about our work at: http://www.exploratorium.edu/ti.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Design, organize, and deliver teacher professional development workshops.
• Develop middle and high school level science activities and learning experiences, including written descriptions for dissemination by the Exploratorium.
• Publish and disseminate successful activities and strategies within the area of science teacher professional development.
• Proven ability to teach, communicate, and present science effectively to a variety of audiences, including teachers, the general public, and museum professionals.
• Provide doctoral level scientific expertise and pedagogical support primarily to the Teacher Institute, and also to the Exploratorium, including consultation for exhibit designers, conducting training for floor staff, collaborating with lab scientists, and assisting with museum public programs when needed.
• Communicate and represent the vision, goals, and activities of TI within the museum, to other organizations, and to the teacher professional development field.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in environmental science, or equivalent, required. Background in physical science preferred.
• Minimum 5 years teaching experience required (e.g., K-12, higher education, educator teaching/training in out-of-school settings); science teaching experience at the middle or high school level strongly preferred.
• Experience in designing, making, and troubleshooting lab and/or classroom equipment and materials.
• Proven ability to communicate science effectively.
• Demonstrated publication record in science and/or science education or equivalent.
• Experience in a leadership position on large NSF or equivalent STEM education project preferred.
• Successful track record in grant development, grant reporting, and project management preferred.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and communication skills (both oral and written).
• Ability to work independently and within a team of scientists and veteran science educators.
• Ability to work on some weekends and evenings.
• Ability to travel to workshops and conferences both locally and nationally.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

This position is open until filled

HOW TO APPLY

This is a full-time, exempt union position that includes benefits. All new teachers are initially hired on a fixed-term basis during their first teaching year. Re-hire to a regular teaching appointment is based on review of the employee's performance and suitability for the Exploratorium's teaching environment.

The Exploratorium is committed to providing equal employment without regard to race, color, religious expression, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, ancestry, genetic information, citizenship, marital status, pregnancy, veteran’s status or any other class protected by applicable law.

The Exploratorium will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.