Professional Development Specialist (Education Specialist) (IS-1701-11)

Application Deadline: 15 November 2024

Department: National Air and Space Museum

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Chantilly, VA

Reporting To: Supervisory Education Specialist

Compensation: $82,764 - $93,798 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: November 4, 2024                    CLOSING DATE: November 15, 2024            POSITION TYPE: Trust FundAPPOINTMENT TYPE:  IndefiniteSCHEDULE: Full Time DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Open to all qualified applicants 

What are Trust Fund Positions?Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).  Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
• Complete a Probationary Period.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 

OVERVIEW

This position is located within the Education Department in the Education and Visitor Experience

Directorate, National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Smithsonian Institution (SI) and reports to a Supervisory Education Specialist position, who reports to  the Education Deputy Director position. The mission of NASM is to commemorate, educate and inspire. Learning at the National Air and Space Museum sparks curiosity and empowers learners to imagine the possibilities of our future. The museum collects, preserves, and displays aeronautical and spaceflight artifacts of historical significance. 

The purpose of this position is to oversee professional development programming for educators, including (but not limited to) K-12 educators, pre-service teachers, and museum educators. This work targets educators locally and nationally, including the management of a national teacher professional development program for middle school STEAM teachers, held over several weeks each summer; in addition to professional development workshops in schools, in the Museum’s two locations, and online. The employee is responsible for planning and organizing the work with a contractor, coordinating with Education leadership, and ensuring all components of all the programs are successful as defined by each program’s objectives and goals.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for organizing and facilitating the Teacher Innovator Institute (TII), a professional development program for middle school STEAM educators from across the United States. The program includes both an onsite professional development intensive held in July of each year, as well as monthly engagements for active cohorts and alumni, including webinars, asynchronous design challenges and activities, and meetups at professional conferences across the country. 
• Recruits, oversees, and supports the TII Alumni Fellow, a contractor on a 13-month assignment at NASM who assists with program planning and development.
• Maintains relationships with local school districts and presents professional development to local teachers several times a year, both in schools and in the museum.
• Hosts webinars on appropriate topics to present professional development to teachers across the world.
• Identifies areas to grow NASM’s reach to educators locally, nationally, and beyond. 
• Manages program funds by anticipating expenses,