Needham Science Center Program Specialist

Needham Public Schools is an inclusive, dynamic, and multicultural community seeking an energetic and skilled Science Center Program Specialist to join our team. To enhance our goals of supporting every child, Needham Public Schools seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Science Center Background
The Needham Science Center is a 60-year old institution serving the Needham Public Schools, with a special focus on grades K-5 science, ecology and engineering practices. Classroom teachers are provided science content kits, materials, equipment, professional development workshops, consultations, programs and field trips. Science Center staff support educational and environmental district goals and community organizations that support these goals. Program offerings, field trips and curriculum kits are inquiry-based, integrated and aligned to the national and state frameworks.

The Science Center's houses a live animal collection. Science Center staff must be free of allergies to animals, animal bedding and animal food sources, comfortable handling, caring for, and transporting live animals in their personal car. Some Science Center programs require extensive handling of animals while presenting to a classroom of students.

Job Description:
Deliver direct instruction in science content, environmental ecology and engineering design process to students in grades K- 5 within classroom programs, field trips or model lessons.
Plan, schedule and present Science Center programs, field trips, lessons and activities that provide inquiry-based instruction to students and model high quality inquiry instruction practices for teachers both in and outdoors.
Interact with live animals, some exotic, both to provide occasional care and handling within a student setting.
Research, evaluate existing and develop new inquiry-based curriculum kits, lessons, programs, and field trip experiences that support existing NPS science curriculum goals, match required national and state standards and articulate goals for students doing high quality science.
Maintain existing Science Center loan items, equipment, materials, and kits.
Inventory returning teacher binders and kits, refurbish consumables, complete to match order for delivery and meet delivery deadlines.
Set and follow program and field trip scheduling, communicate details with teachers, schedule transportation and implement the experience.
Communicate effectively with classroom teachers, principals, support staff, community volunteers, parents, and students.
The essential functions and duties listed above are intended as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Skills, Abilities & Knowledge
Must have a basic understanding of science content, engineering design process for young children, inquiry-instruction methodologies along with sophisticated understanding of the academic, social and emotional needs of children grades K-5.
Must be skilled in small group instruction practices, science notebook usage, supporting student led investigations and science discourse.
Must have basic knowledge and comfort level with whatever is encountered out of doors, willingness to collect invertebrates and small vertebrates in the wild.
Must be comfortable with handling and caring for live animals and willing to provide instruction in front of students with live animals.
Must have the ability to set clear expectations with age appropriate behavior management goals and strategies.
Must have a working knowledge of the Next Generation Science Standards and the Massachusetts Science Standards.
Must be a highly motivated, self-starter who can work both independently and collaboratively.
Must have strong organizational skills with the capacity to travel across the district and within a school to implement curriculum, programs and field trips, provide consultations to teachers or deliver kits, materials, and live animals to classrooms.
Must have well-established communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to share information and resources as appropriate, including strong written communication skills and a pleasant manner when fielding phone calls.
Must have the ability to collect, analyze and share data in order to make recommendations for improved science center offerings and instructional programming.
Must be flexible and able to prioritize when necessary to meet newly emerging demands.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree
3+ years teaching young children
Experience in science and/or STEM related fields
Job Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment. Duties may be occasionally performed on field trips away from school. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Regularly required to sit (including sitting on the floor or other hard surface), stand, walk, kneel, talk, hear, operate a computer, handheld learning devices and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, work indoors or outdoors, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Occasionally may need to assist students with standing, sitting, organizational functions or other related general physical tasks.

Compensation and Benefits:
Please review the Unit C Contract https://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/human_resources/contracts and this page http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/departments/human_resources/benefits to learn more about employee compensation and benefits.

The Needham Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, active military/veteran status, ancestry, genetic information, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, employment policies, and other administered programs and activities. In addition, students who are homeless or of limited English-speaking ability are protected from discrimination in accessing the course of study and other opportunities available through the schools.

Needham Public Schools has a strong commitment to equity. Candidates who also have a strong commitment to this work are encouraged to apply. For more information on our equity work please visit our equity website http://www.needham.k12.ma.us/equity .