At Pacific Science Center, our mission is to ignite curiosity in every child and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us. Our colleagues are passionate lifelong learners who live our mission every day. Each of us commits to bring an inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) focus in every aspect of our work. Join our collaborative team and help steward our warm, welcoming, community-learning environment at PacSci.
As part of our ongoing commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, we’re invested in building teams with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Data shows that women and BIPOC candidates more frequently do not apply to a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed. If you have some of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed and you share PacSci's values and support our mission, we encourage you to apply.
Position Title: Outreach Education Curriculum Coordinator
Department: Science on Wheels
Reports to: Outreach Education Supervisor
Pay Class: Full-time Regular
FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Position Summary
Pacific Science Center’s (PacSci) outreach education programs bring the best of the science center to schools and community groups across Washington state with hands-on STEM programming that sparks curiosity and fuels a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking. Outreach programs, both in-person and virtual, are essential to PacSci’s commitment to provide access to inclusive STEM education for all. The Outreach Education Curriculum Coordinator develops, revises and maintains educational content for PacSci’s outreach education programs- Science on Wheels and Digital Discovery Workshops. This role also leads curriculum systems and project management and spends up to 30% of their time teaching programs alongside Outreach Educators.
PacSci is committed to strengthening inclusion, diversity, equity, and access both within our workplace and in our community. This role embodies the spirit of curiosity and real-world STEM experiences, supporting and celebrating the role of STEM in the lives of all learners, regardless of background and identity. We believe that curiosity and critical thinking are essential to equity and justice for all. We embrace science as a process of inquiry, discovery, and problem solving that helps us better understand our universe and each other.
This position requires an irregular work schedule, including weekend work and overnight stays across the state while delivering programming (room and board paid by PacSci). This is a grant-funded position through June 2029.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Curriculum Coordination:
Develop and revise curriculum for Prek-8th grade outreach education programs, including lesson plans and assembly scripts
Ensure programs are aligned with Washington state learning standards, based on student sensemaking, and are designed with inclusion, diversity, equity, and access at the center
Establish and maintain systems for curriculum creation, assessment, prioritization and upkeep
Drive curriculum projects for their entire lifecycle, including setting timelines, drafting content, prototyping activities, and evaluating success
Collaborate with external partners such as subject matter experts, Indigenous partners, or local industry to inform content
Collaborate with admin team to assess and purchase teaching materials to best serve program learning objectives
STEM Program delivery:
Use inclusive and culturally relevant teaching strategies and classroom management methods to lead classroom workshops, perform exciting science shows, teach live virtual programs, and facilitate hands-on exhibit sets.
Engage with diverse audiences, primarily in Prek-8th grade, ranging from small classroom groups to whole school assemblies of over 400 students
Provide excellent customer service while communicating with school staff and community members
Staff support:
Maintain a positive, inclusive, and equitable work environment in all aspects of communication with colleagues.
Create, conduct and maintain trainings for staff to ensure program quality standards, operational excellence, and to support staff professional development.
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Other projects and responsibilities may be added at the organization’s discretion.
Position Requirements
Ability to create, revise and assess lessons aligned with Washington state learning standards, including primarily Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
Ability to apply inclusive design to curriculum, such as universal design for learning (UDL) and culturally sustaining teaching practices
PreK-8th grade Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) basic content knowledge
Excellent time and project management; able to prioritize, problem-solve and develop realistic action plans
Excels in giving and receiving feedback and iterating work to incorporate stakeholder input
Excellent customer service skills including composure under pressure, and the ability to represent Pacific Science Center’s mission and focus on guest experience on and off site
Excellent writing and attention to detail; communicates effectively, respectfully, and in a timely manner.
Strong interpersonal and listening skills
Adaptive public speaking skills; able to present dynamic educational programs for both small and large groups
Ability to maintain energy and enthusiasm with a friendly, positive demeanor and outlook when faced with unexpected challenges during travel or program delivery
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and file sharing software such as Sharepoint
Qualifications
Required
At least 1 year experience creating NGSS aligned and inclusively designed curriculum
At least 6 months experience coordinating projects that require setting timelines, delegating tasks and ensuring quality outcomes
At least 1 year experience working with PreK-8th grade youth in an educational setting
Undergraduate degree in a related field, OR equivalent combination of education and experience
Ability to travel up to 4 consecutive days for regional program delivery.
Valid driver’s license with 5 years of driving experience, good driving record and ability and willingness to drive a 15-passenger van. Must be at least 21 years old for vehicle insurance purposes.
Preferred
Experience with additional relevant Washington state learning standards such as Common Core for Math, Computer Science, Early Learning, and Social Emotional Learning
Experience collaborating with Indigenous partners on educational experiences
Proficiency in Spanish with an ability to verbally communicate science concepts at a PreK-8th grade level (may qualify candidate for additional pay premium)
Physical Demands & Working Conditions
The workplace environment will include outdoors, inside schools, and in an office environment. Physical demands of the position could include moving supplies and objects up to 35 lbs, positioning oneself at various levels including at a child’s height; must be able to communicate verbally and in writing, utilizing radios, telephone, and virtual platforms to give and receive information, as well as engaging in public speaking for groups from 2 to 500 in live presentations. Position duties will require an individual to maneuver through crowded areas; manipulate and safely use objects, tools or controls; reach to retrieve supplies and objects; respond quickly to sounds in the area. The noise level in the shared office space varies from low to moderate, often utilizing a computer workstation. Noise-level during program delivery can be expected to increase in volume as the number of participants increases. Running technology requires varying levels of visual acuity.
Work must be performed onsite and at program locations, ranging from nearby programs in the Seattle area to regional programs across the state of Washington. Work schedules will flex based on seasonal cycle needs throughout the year and will include some evenings and weekends, as well as multi-day travel.
Position will also have exposure to dust, fumes, some loud noises and chemicals (including but not limited to liquid nitrogen, helium and hydrogen gas, dry ice, acids and bases, irritants and latex). Must be able to drive 15 passenger van.
This position description generally describes the principal functions of the position and the level of knowledge and skills typically required. It does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee, and it is subject to change as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.
This role may be eligible for a $1/hr Language Proficiency Premium for demonstrated proficiency in Spanish with an ability to verbally communicate science concepts at a PreK-8th grade level.
Language-specific duties include:
Delivering 45 minute workshops in Spanish or in dual language English/Spanish classroom settings
Delivering key words and phrases from assemblies in Spanish
Reviewing and providing feedback on terminology that has been professionally translated from English to Spanish
Support Spanish language assessment in recruitment efforts
Eligibility for the premium requires the ability to communicate clearly, accurately, and appropriately in professional educational settings. The premium recognizes functional oral fluency and instructional use of Spanish and does not require full translation or interpretation services, or written fluency. Applicants considered for the Language Proficiency Premium will be tested during the recruitment process prior to employment. This will primarily consist of taking a brief online proficiency assessment and engaging in Spanish conversation during the interview.
Compensation
In addition to base salary, all employees receive:
- Employee PacSci Membership
- Commuter Benefits
- 403b Retirement Plan
Full-time regular employees (40 hrs/week) additionally receive following benefits:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, basic life insurance, and disability insurance
- 4 weeks of vacation, 12 floating holidays, and sick pay
- 403(b) Retirement Savings
- Employee Assistance Program
Pacific Science Center stands with those who are courageously fighting against hate, racism, and injustice. We recognize that not being racist is not sufficient. We must be actively anti-racist, and we commit to doing so. We prioritize inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in everything we do. Curiosity and critical thinking are essential to the dialogue and changes that need to happen.
Pacific Science Center complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us at
[email protected].
