Director for Downstate Illinois Programs

Location

Aurora, IL | United States

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is a fully remote with a majority of the work being done outside of the Chicagoland area and in downstate Illinois.

This individual is responsible for leading the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) outreach programs (K-12 schools, teachers and community) specifically outside of the Chicagoland area. This individual is responsible for leading remote teams that develop and implement STEM education initiatives for students and educators in this area, developing partnerships throughout the state, and providing support and oversight of online programs, downstate summer programs, and Innovation HUBS outside the Chicagoland area.

The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students (grades 10–12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program. It also serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry.

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) is committed to an equitable, diverse and inclusive teaching and learning environment. IMSA has committed to advancing equity in STEM education and representation and creating a diverse, inclusive community of global citizens who can realize their full potential, and execute our mission to advance the human condition.

This Equity and Excellence work is the intentional integration of Cultural Competence, Diversity, Equity, Equity-Minded Frame, Excellence and Inclusion into every facet of the Academy, with the understanding that it is an active and ongoing process involving structures, processes and people and not an isolated initiative.

This position will support IMSA's Diversity work by ensuring the delivery of quality, equitable, and inclusive constituent-centered support while promoting and maintaining an inclusive work environment and culture that embraces the diversity of people and perspectives collaborating at IMSA to ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds that advance the human condition.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This individual is responsible for but not limited to:

• Recruits and manages temporary professionals to implement summer programming in various locations outside the Chicagoland area
• Recruits and manages temporary professionals to offer online programs for students and educators
• Manages Hub coordinates located outside the Chicagoland area in accordance with the Academy's strategic plans.
• Facilitate programmatic and people connections between Innovation Hubs, online programming, and summer programming.
• Works with the Chief Mission and Impact Officer to expand Innovation Hubs around the state
• Develop and manage budget(s) for Innovation Hubs, online programming and summer programming throughout the state
• Ensures content in summer programming, online programming, and at Innovation Hub sites are consistent with IMSA principles.
• Assist in researching, writing, and monitoring grants, contracts and cooperative agreements that support the STEM Outreach vision and IMSA’s strategic plan.
• Collaborate with other curriculum and professional development specialists to ensure comprehensive and consistent offerings aligned with state and national science, mathematics, and technology standards
• Collaborate to create the formal evaluation of programs and provide recommendations for program revisions as needed
• Collaborate with IMSA faculty and leadership to promote IMSA’s core competencies in all curricular work
• Assess professional development needs outside of the Chicagoland area (pre-service, in-service, informal educators & IMSA staff including faculty), and then develop an approach to provide PD services
• Create and sustain internal partnerships within IMSA Mission and Impact, and external partnerships outside the Chicagoland area, to promote STEM education and advance IMSA’s mission
• Represent the mission and values of IMSA at the state or national level by publishing or presenting original work
• Facilitate all aspects of program implementation which may include teaching, logistics, troubleshooting, or real-time mentoring, as needed
• Ability to work evening or weekend hours as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Hours/Shift/Work Schedule: As an exempt employee, the incumbent is expected to work the necessary schedule to successfully complete the requirements of the position; typically, M - F 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M, with some evening and weekend hours. This position is a fully remote role. The individual will be required to travel to IMSA’s main campus in Aurora on occasion.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The required skills and experience for this position include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• A Master’s Degree in education or a STEM related-field
• Minimum of three years of K-12 formal or informal teaching experience
• Demonstrated experience developing hands-on STEM activities
• Passion for advancing STEM teacher practice
• Working knowledge of NGSS, Common Core State Standards, scientific inquiry, and problem-based learning
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills with the ability to work well with a variety of individual and diverse populations
• Flexibility, self-direction, creativity, attention to detail and time management
• Demonstrated ability to work well with a variety of individuals and diverse populations
• Ability to meet deadlines
• A valid Illinois driver’s license and an excellent driving record and the ability to travel as needed
• Schedule flexibility with limited evening and/or weekend hours

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with developing professional and educator programs during the summer and online.
• Knowledge of best practice in harnessing technology to improve education
• Experience networking in STEM organizations/ecosystems for the purpose of developing strategic partnerships
• Comfort with online learning platforms and use of technology
• Grant writing, research, marketing and recruiting
• Bi-lingual, Spanish

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is performed in an office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards. Substantial time is spent working on a computer. This role generally requires mobility, written and verbal communication, hearing and visual capabilities. This position requires the ability to move and transport program materials. However, reasonable accommodations, including assistive technology, may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform such requirements. 

COMPENSATION:

This position is a full-time, exempt, 12-month, employment-at-will position. Salary is regionally competitive and commensurate with training and experience. As part of the State University Retirement System, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package including health and retirement benefits. The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) is reciprocal with other Illinois public retirement systems such as the Teachers’ Retirement System of Illinois (TRS) and the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).

The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer providing equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, or national origin. This policy also includes the handicapped and all disabled Vietnam era veterans. IMSA utilizes only job-related criteria in making decisions concerning applicants and employees.

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