Senior Specialist, Grant Making and Engagement in STEM Education Space

The Society is seeking a Senior Specialist, Grant
Making and Engagement to support the Science
Education Programs Department. This position reports to the
Director of Outreach and Equity Programs, while also working in
collaboration with the Society’s Executive Office. This is a
non-exempt position. 

The Senior Specialist, Grant Making and Engagement develops,
executes, and refines innovative and equitable grant making
opportunities to support STEM education, including overseeing the
Society’s STEM Action Grants, STEM Research Grants, Affiliated Fair
Grants, and Education Outreach Day School Funding. 
Additionally, the Senior Specialist works to engage STEM-focused
nonprofits and other institutions in the Society’s work, including
at Education Outreach Day at the Regeneron International Science
and Engineering Fair. 

The STEM Action Grant program aims to bolster and support
community-driven nonprofit organizations that are working to
enhance the public’s understanding of science and to increase
participation of underrepresented populations in STEM fields. Since
2016 the STEM Action Grant program has awarded over $828,000 to a
total of 113 organizations wanting to improve access to STEM
education.  Organizations can apply for funding of up to
$5,000.

STEM Research Grants provide support to middle and high school
teachers engaging their students in authentic scientific research.
Over 6 years, $775,000 has been awarded to 367 teachers. Priority
consideration is given to schools that support students from
low-income communities and demographics underrepresented in STEM
fields.  Teachers can apply for up to $5,000 to purchase
specialized equipment or $1,000 in preselected equipment.

Affiliated Fair Grants provide support to science fairs
affiliated with the Society’s competitions to support projects and
initiatives to improve the reach and inclusivity of their science
fair.  This includes efforts to improve the overall user
experience through infrastructure updates and initiatives to
support historically under-served populations.

Education Outreach Day brings thousands of local students to the
Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair to meet the
1500+ international finalists and engage in hands-on STEM
activities hosted by non-profits, government agencies, and
sponsors.  These organizations include some of the Society’s
STEM Action Grantees.  Schools can apply for funding for
reimbursement of substitute teachers and transportation to the
event and are selected based upon financial need and students
served. 

Responsibilities

• Manage the overall administration of STEM Action Grants, STEM
  Research Grants, Affiliated Fair Grants, and Education Outreach Day
  School Funding, including application and selection processes,
  grant payouts, grantee reporting, program sponsor reporting, data
  collection and analysis, and program improvements.
• Continually revise the program logic models, goals, and
  grant-making strategies to align with the Society’s strategic plan,
  incorporating current best practices in philanthropic giving and
  maximizing inclusion in program processes and impact.
• Develop partnership and outreach opportunities to organizations
  that broaden the pool of applicants and deepen the relationships
  with grant partners and participants from broad and diverse
  constituencies across the country.
• Lead virtual professional development sessions to increase
  grantee knowledge and capacity to support their audiences and to
  facilitate grantee networking to build an inclusion-focused
  community of practice.
• Gather research teacher feedback on low-cost lab equipment that
  lends itself well to student research and select equipment for
  packages awarded through STEM Research Grants. Foster relationships
  with vendors, securing discounts when possible, and coordinate with
  Events and Operations Department on ordering and shipping
  equipment. 
• Coordinate with Communications team on award announcements,
  social media, and blogs, collecting additional information, quotes,
  photos, and stories to illustrate the impact of the program.
• Coordinate with Advancement team, providing language and
  statistics to support funding proposals and facilitating sponsor
  stewardship.
• Support the participation of STEM Action Grantees and sponsors
  in Education Outreach Day at the Regeneron International Science
  and Engineering Fair. Oversee the application, selection, and
  administration of school funding for substitute teachers and
  transportation to this event. 
• Support the Science Education Programs Department overall by
  assisting with occasional mailings, processing of online
  applications, and staffing in-person events, including the
  Society’s student competitions.
• Represent the Society at community events and build awareness
  for our work.
• Attends all education programs, which requires at least 3 weeks
  of travel annually.
• Completes other projects and duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Experience in grant making in the nonprofit sector
• Knowledge of theories on social impact and philanthropy
• Experience in professional development delivery and/or
  community-building
• Experience leading online application and selection
  processes
• Experience in program evaluation
• Affinity for the mission of the Society for Science
• Commitment to diversity, accessibility, and inclusion
• Outstanding and effective interpersonal skills; along with
  strong communication skills both verbal and written
• Self-motivated, organized, efficient and process oriented
• Strong work ethic with the ability to work well under pressure
  in a dynamic environment
• Understanding of and interest in systems and system
  development
• Familiarity with data gathering, management, and analysis
• Familiarity with KPIs and program evaluation  
• Knowledge and experience in Microsoft Suite – Teams, Excel,
  Word, PowerPoint, etc

Desirable

• Experience with outreach programs for students and teachers,
  especially related to STEM
• STEM teaching experience
• Experience in data analysis and visualization
• Multilingual, especially in Spanish, or having a lived
  experience similar to groups underrepresented in STEM
• International experience

Required Education and Experience

• BA/BS degree in any discipline, minimum of 7 years of work
  experience 

Position Type and Expected Hours

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Days and hours of work
are Monday through Friday during normal hours of the Society. The
normal business hours of the Society are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST,
with core hours of 10:00a.m.–3:00p.m.EST.

Salary

$65,000 to $75,000; salary is commensurate with experience.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee usually
works in an office setting. Our office is located in Washington,
D.C. near the Dupont Circle and Farragut North Metro stations. The
Society is operating on a hybrid work schedule. 
   

Physical Demands

This role’s work involves remaining in a stationary position
most of the time in front of a computer, using a keyboard, mouse,
and telephone. It also involves regularly operating a computer and
other office equipment, occasionally moving about the work site to
access file cabinets office equipment and communicating or
exchanging information with co-workers and other individuals in
person or electronically.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Society for Science has mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for
employees coming into the office and attending Society events.
Exceptions to the vaccine requirement may be provided to
individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. 

How to Apply

Submit a professional resume and cover letter to be considered
for this position.

Please apply through Applicant Pro: https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/societyforscience/jobs/3289594-560497

The Society values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages
women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with
disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents,
and veterans to apply.

EEO Statement

The Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Society for Science is committed to equal employment
opportunity. In order to provide equal employment and advancement
opportunities to all individuals, the Society does not discriminate
against employees or applicants for employment on any legally
recognized basis, including but not limited to: veteran status,
race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation,
gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin,
disability, personal appearance, family responsibilities,
matriculation, political affiliation, age and/or any other
categories protected by the laws of the United States or the
District of Columbia.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover every
duty, responsibility and activity that are required of the employee
for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at
any time with or without notice. 

About Society for Science

Founded in 1921, the Society for Science (Society), is a
champion for science, dedicated to expanding scientific literacy,
effective STEM education, and scientific research. Through its
world-class competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent
Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair,
the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its
award-winning magazines, Science News and Science News Explores,
the Society, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, is
focused on promoting the understanding and appreciation of science
and the vital role it plays in human advancement: to inform,
education, and inspire.