STEM Coordinator

The STEM Coordinator focuses on STEM implementation at KairosPDX School. The Coordinator will work closely with KairosPDX and OMSI staff to create and implement a STEM curriculum and family outreach that focuses on the Black community. They participate in continual trainings to improve their work at KairosPDX and work with KairosPDX staff to adapt current trainings to be offered to OMSI staff.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• KairosPDX Science Education:
  • Co-leads the development and delivery of all science programming at KairosPDX, with an emphasis on hands-on STEM learning and reducing the racial opportunity gap;
  • Creates and delivers Next Generation Science Standards (NSSS)-aligned units and daily lesson plans that promote engagement and development of science identity;
  • Centers and highlights Black excellence and racial justice with students and families through pedagogy and the coordination of learning opportunities and events;
  • Attends and participates in ongoing, KairosPDX-led professional development, with an emphasis on addressing inequities in education and integrates strategies in content development and instruction.
• KairosPDX/OMSI Partnership Stewardship:
  • Serves as a liaison between KairosPDX and OMSI to strategize and coordinate opportunities to strengthen and expand the partnership;
  • Manages and coordinates the Early Learning Network at KairosPDX;
  • Initiates and coordinates family engagement events at both OMSI and KairosPDX;
  • Promotes and coordinates OMSI experiences (such as Classes, Outdoor Science School, and field trips) for KairosPDX students.
• OMSI Community Involvement:
  • Actively contributes to and advance OMSI's goals and objectives through ongoing engagement and professional development in education best practices, EDI, scientific knowledge, and safety/operational efficiency practices;
  • Provides consultation to supervisors and peers, and connects necessary KairosPDX and OMSI staff to support organizational efforts to integrate practices that improve OMSI's equity-related outcomes;
  • Participates in staff education initiatives or museum projects in support of OMSI's Equity Action Framework (EAF).

Working Conditions

• This position is exempt, paid salaried;
• This position is regular full-time scheduled for 40 hours/week;
• You must be fully vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19 or qualify for an accommodation under the ADA for medical or religious reasons;
• This position requires onsite work at both KairosPDX and OMSI;
• This position requires working occasional weekends, holidays, and/or evenings in support of KairosPDX/OMSI programming;
• Ability to bend, stoop, crawl, and sit on the floor multiple times a day;
• Physical Demands: 30% sitting, 60% standing, 10% lifting/carrying/pushing up to 50 lbs;
• Vision Demands include:
  • Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches of less)
  • Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more)
  • Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left or right while eyes are fixed on a given point)
  • Depth and perception (three dimensional vision, ability to judge distance and spatial relationships)
  • Ability to adjust focus (ability to adjust the eyes to bring an object into sharp focus)
• Environmental Demands include:
  • Outdoor weather conditions
• Noise Levels include:
  • Very quiet (examples: forest trail, isolation booth for hearing test)
  • Quiet (examples: library, private office)
  • Moderate (examples: business office with computers and printers, light traffic)

Secondary Job Responsibilities

Secondary responsibilities include-but are not limited to-the following:

• Assists KairosPDX staff with duties and support, such as supervising dismissal and lunch, and providing temporary staffing.
• Attends Outdoor School;
• Provides support to OMSI operations and programming.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

REQUIREMENTS:

• Business Practices:
  • Demonstrated and excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, with an emphasis on fostering strong student and teacher relationships and belonging;
  • Developed communication skills, with an emphasis on presentation and public speaking;
  • Ability to model and support a positive team dynamic with OMSI and KairosPDX staff;
  • Ability to effectively handle multiple tasks, often with overlapping and time-sensitive deadlines;
  • Demonstrated ability to pivot between individual and team work;
  • Proficiency with Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office;
  • Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem solving skills;
  • Excellent attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy;
  • Ability to adhere to confidentiality, protocol, and community agreements;
  • Exercises sound judgment while upholding high integrity and ethical standards.
• Learner Engagement:
  • Ability to create and present engaging content with learners (K-5th grade) in a culturally responsive manner, with an emphasis on building and fostering science identity;
  • Ability to interact with parents/caregivers, teachers, and partners in a culturally responsive manner, with an emphasis on inclusion and accessibility;
  • Ability to conceptualize concepts and breakdown science topics into weeks-long and daily lesson plans that are approachable and digestible to a range of learners and styles;
  • Working knowledge of youth development, pedagogy, and education best practices.
• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Knowledge:
  • Ability to identify opportunities and facilitate introductions between KairosPDX, OMSI staff, and community partners to maximize the exchange of expertise and meeting greater equity goals in the field of science education.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to or willingness to explore issues of racial justice and equity;
  • Strong knowledge of equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice theory and practical application, including critical theory of systemic oppression, unconscious bias, and personal identity and intersectionality matters;
  • Fortitude to influence systemic change and work, navigate cultural differences with care and grace, and develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders;
  • Ability to network, develop, and maintain effective working relations with external and internal contacts;
  • Knowledge of education principles, facilitation, and knowledge-sharing techniques with exceptional presentation skills.

PREFERENCES:

• Proficient or native fluency in a second language (non-English).

Education & Work Experience

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum of 3 years experience with the following:
  • Examples of developing, synthesizing, and delivering educational content to diverse audiences, with an emphasis on educational programming for K-5th graders;
  • Examples of effective classroom management and time management capabilities;
  • Experience working effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and talents in an informal/formal education work environment, with an emphasis on working with students, families, and colleagues of color.
• Examples of centering equity and access, with an emphasis on active participation in conversations and strategy development that eliminate barriers;
• Examples of effective communication with a variety of internal and external stakeholders in a work environment, as well as fostering strong and lasting community partnerships and relationships;
• Examples of managing/coordinating events, programs, and/or learning experiences.

PREFERENCES:

• Hands-on science-related work experience or a degree in education or STEM;
• Track record of establishing or contributing to system and processes improvements.

Additional Requirements/Preferences; Including Licenses and Certifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Pre-employment checks, such as criminal background checks and reference checks.