Professional Learning Associate

The Stanford University Graduate School of Education (GSE) is a top-ranked school of education, known for its prestigious faculty, rigorous graduate degree programs, and its impact on the quality of education across the world. The GSE is committed to developing leaders in education research, practice and policy. Our community includes over 60 faculty, 400 students, 200 staff, 14,000 alumni and countless people from the local and global communities we work with and impact. The work environment is dynamic, deadline-driven, fast-paced, and energetic.

The Center to Support Excellence in Teaching (CSET), a research center within the Graduate School of Education at Stanford University, seeks a Professional Learning Associate to be a key contributor to the center. This position focuses exclusively on work based in the partnership between CSET and OpenSciEd.

What You’ll Do:
The Professional Learning Associate will collaborate with the project team to develop and lead professional learning sessions for OpenSciEd ‘s revised middle school curriculum. These sessions will integrate computer science principles and be based on proven research for effective teacher professional development. In addition, this person will collaborate with staff at OpenSciEd to assess the market readiness for professional learning and develop a portfolio of services based on that information.

CORE DUTIES:
●    Design professional learning experiences for in-person, online (synchronous and asynchronous), and hybrid settings that support the implementation of specific and predetermined science units that integrate key concepts from computer science, AI literacy, and computational thinking.
●    Facilitate effective professional learning experiences for middle school science teachers who may not be familiar with computer science, AI literacy concepts, and/or computational thinking so they can integrate these ideas into their primary teaching responsibilities.
●    Collaborate with staff at OpenSciEd to learn more about OpenSciEd users who are non-consumers of professional learning by helping to conduct research that defines the needs, barriers, and opportunities in the target market of underserved teachers and institutions.
●    Contribute to the development, testing, and refinement of OpenSciEd’s strategy in building a portfolio of services that addresses the needs of those not accessing the current professional learning options.
●    Design a portfolio of learning experiences that address the needs of OpenSciEd users who are less inclined to access professional learning.
●    Conduct all work with strong time management skills including meeting aggressive deadlines independently, while learning more about CSET and integrating that new learning.

To be successful in this position, you will bring:
●    Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education, training, and relevant experience. Advanced degrees may be required for some programs. For jobs with financial responsibilities, experience managing a budget and developing financial plans.
●    Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources.
●    Excellent oral, written, and analytical skills, exhibiting fluency in area of specialization.
●    Ability to oversee and direct staff.
●    Basic knowledge of managing budgets and developing financial plans.

Preferred Education:
A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
●    At least five years of experience teaching computer science, engineering classes, or science integrated with computer science at the secondary level.
●    Deep familiarity with teaching strategies needed for equitable student outcomes.
●    At least five years of experience designing and facilitating high-quality curriculum-based professional learning experiences for teachers (experience working with middle school teachers is a plus).
●    At least two years of experience developing and/or facilitating professional learning experiences specifically with OpenSciEd.
●    A strong understanding of Computer Science principles and standards and how they integrate into the teaching      of middle school science.
●    Thorough understanding of OpenSciEd’s Equitable Instruction Initiative and curriculum materials.
●    Deep understanding of research-based design and facilitation of professional learning experiences for science teachers.
●    Content knowledge of Artificial Intelligence, including the social implications of AI and the mechanics of machine learning for the middle school level
●    Ability to work at the intersection of theory and practice and think through the transfer of research into the development of high-leverage, equitable teaching practices in middle schools, especially science classrooms
●    Highly collaborative and flexible approach to the work
●    Ability to advocate for equitable learning opportunities for all student from the position of designing professional learning and/or curriculum
●    Ability to recognize and persist in ambiguity, and develop tactics to overcome ambiguity when needed
●    Orientation toward an empathetic approach and willingness to embrace diverse viewpoints
●    Digital fluency, including routine use of Google Drive, Slack, Zoom, Outlook, and other communication and teaching platforms
●    Comfort, ease, and experience meeting and teaching in virtual environments

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

The expected pay range for this remote position is $77,000 to $120,000 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards ) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Who We Are:
The Center to Support Excellence in Teaching (CSET) was established in 2010 and works in educational partnerships to solve persistent problems of practice by improving the quality of instruction, keeping equity at the center of the work, and developing leading educators. CSET is an influential presence in the world of professional learning for educators. We have achieved momentum as a center within the Graduate School of Education and are broadly recognized for developing research-based professional learning programs in collaboration with partners.

CSET’s Core Values
At CSET we’ve created a workplace where we
●    Are collaborative and inclusive
●    Have a commitment to disrupting systemic inequities in K-12 education
●    Center the human experience
●    Celebrate academic rigor
●    Create intellectual vibrance through bridge research and practice

OpenSciEd is a project under the National Center for Civic Innovation that brings together multiple partners, including science leadership from ten states, world-class curriculum developers, philanthropic organizations, and national science education leaders and experts, to create a complete set of robust, research-based, open-source K-12 science instructional materials and professional learning. OpenSciEd was launched by the Carnegie Corporation of New York with additional support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, and the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation.

Why Stanford is for You:
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

●    Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a  renowned author or global leader speak.
●    A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
●    A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
●    Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
●    Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more

How to Apply:
We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button. To be considered, you must submit a cover letter and résumé or CV along with your online application by 6 March 2024.

●    Finalist must successfully complete a background check prior to working at Stanford University. 
●    This is a fixed-term position with an end date of one year and is renewable based on performance and funding
●    Candidates must be eligible to work in the US. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at [email protected] . For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form .

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.