Job Board

National Center for Science Education

Remote Position

Start Date: Negotiable (No later than Summer 2025)
Job Type: Full-Time Remote
Reports to: Executive Director

Organizational Overview

The National Center for Science Education (NCSE) helps ensure students across the country receive an accurate and effective evolution and climate science education. It does this by supporting teachers with resources and best teaching practices; by monitoring and mobilizing against efforts to undermine science education, whether at the statehouse or in the classroom; and by engaging in research to understand and improve science education.

Position Summary

The Science Education and Outreach program at NCSE (SEO@NCSE) is committed to giving science teachers the tools and skills they need to overcome misconceptions and misinformation about climate change, evolution, and the nature of science. It provides classroom-tested lessons and professional learning opportunities for educators throughout the nation. The goal of the Science Education and Outreach program is to reach ALL teachers who need support, especially those teachers who desire more content expertise and want to build the confidence required to teach widely-accepted scientific topics that society sees as controversial topics.

Role & Responsibilities

The Science Education Specialist's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Professional Learning for Teachers (approximately 40%)

• Serving as the lead mentor to cohorts of teachers participating in NCSE programs and Teacher Ambassadors (TAs).
• Providing high-quality professional learning experiences for teachers:
  • Curriculum-based professional learning for life science teachers.
  • Evolution & Climate Change specific professional learning.
  • Broader professional learning that applies across curricula (nature of science, misconceptions, fostering communication to teach topics seen as socially controversial).
• Facilitating and contributing to the community of practice (online and/or in person) for teachers to discuss and process societally controversial topics in a safe environment.
• Designing materials for professional development programs and teacher support tools (e.g. webinars, videos, templates, pacing guides, etc.).
• Serving as a liaison for NCSE when attending functions on behalf of the organization (conferences and other settings).
• Traveling to national/regional/state level conferences and events.

Research & Engagement in the Science Education Community (approximately 30%)

• Participating in communities of science education leaders (e.g., NABT, NSTA, regional/local organizations), including attending or presenting at meetings to further professional growth and NCSE's reputation as a leader in the field.
• Working with NCSE’s Catalyzing Action team to monitor state science standards and any efforts to interfere with the accurate teaching of climate change and evolution in the classroom.
• Communicating with and advising committees, state and local educational agencies, and media as assigned in their region.
• Serving as a liaison for NCSE when attending functions on behalf of the organization (conferences and other settings).
• Engaging in current and future research projects, including writing grant proposals, project design, methodology, data collection and analysis, and publication of resulting works.
• Writing articles and reports for the NCSE website, Reports of the National Center for Science Education, the SEO newsletter, or third-party partners, as requested.
• Traveling to work collaboratively with science education partners.

Organizational Operations (approximately 30%)

• Attend team and staff meetings; includes travel to annual board meeting and retreat.
• Prepare for workshops and conferences.
• Collaborate with team members to assist with updates and revisions to materials and curriculum.

This is a full-time position. All work will be in close collaboration with the SEO team and involve considerable interaction with teachers across the US. Most of the work will be remote.

Note: This position involves FREQUENT travel to conferences and other NCSE events for educators and the organization. (We try to limit travel during each month to one trip as much as possible; the position will travel up to monthly with no fewer than six events annually).

Expected Experience & Education

• Minimum of a master's degree in applied sciences or education.
• 5+ years of experience in a public K-12 science classroom (can sub up to 2 years of Science Teacher Education faculty experience).
• Experience working with school district or state administrators as a science department representative, liaison, or science curriculum advisor outside of the classroom.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Frameworks for K-12 Science Education/Next Generation Science Standards.
• Familiarity with district and/or state-level curriculum adoption and professional learning processes.
• Experience providing professional development for educators beyond the department scale (district, region, state, etc.).
• Experience developing assessments and/or curriculum materials.
• Excellent people, organization, and multitasking skills.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Grant writing and experience with external funding.
• Terminal degree in science education.
• Demonstrated ability to work in teams in a remote setting.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation for this position will begin at $60,000 per year (pay commensurate with experience). This position is eligible for all organization benefits, including health and dental, retirement, and other benefits as detailed in the Employee Handbook.

Applying

To apply, click here or copy and paste this link (https://forms.gle/ngmn8aKn7tyoErVY6) into your browser. Answer the qualifying questions provided and submit a single document that includes your Cover Letter, Resume/Vita, and the Name/Contact information for three professional references. In the cover letter, speak to your experiences in navigating and supporting others in navigating socially controversial topics such as evolution, climate change, or other topics in science education, and describe the science education networks to which you are connected.

We encourage you to apply even if you cannot begin a full-time position until the end of a school/academic year. The position is flexible regarding the start date (no later than July 2025).

Questions about the position may be directed to Amanda Townley, Executive Director, at townley@ncse.ngo.

Applications will be accepted until December 20, 2024.

NCSE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NCSE does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

NCSE seeks to foster an environment free of barriers and discriminatory practices. We are committed to building an organization whose staff, Board, and partners are diverse. People of color, people who identify as transgender, lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and those with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals needing a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process or for more information about the project should contact jobs@ncse.ngo.