Employment

Classification: Full Time, Non-Exempt
Department: Science Learning
Reports To: Director of Innovative STEM Teaching

Position Overview

The Innovative STEM Teaching Manager advances the Science Center of Iowa’s mission by supporting both formal and informal learning environments with hands-on, engaging STEM experiences. This role oversees the development and facilitation of interactive programs delivered in classrooms, SCI’s onsite Innovation Lab, and the mobile Spark Lab, as well as through dynamic presentations to a variety of audiences.

The Innovation Lab and Spark Lab are designed to spark creativity, innovation, and problem-solving by providing visitors of all ages opportunities to engage in the making process. This position is responsible for managing these maker-centered experiences, including program design for schools and community groups, staffing and volunteer coordination, and facilitation of public and private workshops both onsite and offsite.

SCI is deeply committed to equity and access in all aspects of its work. The Innovative STEM Teaching Manager plays a key role in ensuring that all programs, spaces, and experiences are welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to every learner.

Key Responsibilities

Program Development & Teaching

• Design and lead STEM activities for classrooms, workshops, labs, and outreach programs
• Write and adapt curriculum and plan lessons for both onsite and offsite programs
• Provide training and co-teaching opportunities for educators
• Help create new programs that reach a wide range of learners

Lab Operations

• Keep lab tools, equipment, and supplies organized and ready to use
• Maintain clean, safe, and welcoming learning spaces
• Follow and promote safety procedures

Team & Leadership

• Work closely with staff and volunteers to deliver great programs
• Lead by example with professionalism and a positive attitude
• Take turns serving as Manager on Duty

Community Engagement

• Speak about SCI programs at events and in the community
• Help plan and support events like Girls in Science and Maker Faire
• Represent SCI with enthusiasm and a spirit of collaboration
• Build relationships with schools and community groups

Innovation & Equity

• Share creative ideas to grow and improve our programs
• Support inclusive, equitable learning for all participants
• Take on additional tasks that support SCI’s mission

Education, Experience and/or Other Requirements

Required

• Experience teaching in a classroom
• Experience managing youth and adult programs
• Strong communication and public speaking skills
• Organized and self-motivated; able to juggle multiple projects
• Team player who is flexible, dependable, and creative
• Professional, energetic, and committed to making learning fun
• Strong planning and problem-solving skills

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in science, education, arts, or related fields
• Experience writing and evaluating curriculum

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The role is active and requires prolonged standing and walking, as well as bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing. This position also will also have periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. The employee must regularly lift and/or move items up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

Hours & Work Schedule

Hours will vary based on business needs and may include days, evenings, weekends and holidays.  Generally, no overnight travel will be required but could be possible. This is a Tuesday through Saturday position.

To Apply

Email your resume and completed application materials to scihr@sciowa.org.

Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Department: Preschool
Reports To: Director of Early Childhood Learning
Direct reports: This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities

*This position may be eligible for a $2,000 sign on bonus after the first 60 days.

Position Overview

A Master Teacher recognizes that the education process is about much more than sharing content. It's about creating independent learners who have the critical thinking skills to grow and thrive. These educators put their students first and adapt the curriculum to their learners' needs. Master teachers hold their students to the highest expectations. They conduct regular progress monitoring, adjust their teaching approach as needed, and empower their students to take ownership of their education.

Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation, and perform other duties as assigned.

• Plan and carry out lesson plans each day in the classroom in alignment with Teaching Strategies GOLD or Iowa Early Learning Standards
• Provide activities and opportunities that encourage curiosity, exploration, and problem-solving appropriate to the developmental levels and learning styles of children
• Prepare and maintain classroom for daily use, including general cleaning duties and notifying proper staff of additional cleaning needs
• Meet with co-teacher to develop daily plans and prepare materials for use in the classroom
• Create and design classroom activities and investigations as needed
• Communicate regularly with parents through a variety of ways (email, newsletter, website, verbal)
• Write and compile individual assessments of each child's development; complete daily inventories, child attendance, and related reports; communicate with students’ families about ongoing progress
• Prepare and conduct parent/teacher conferences twice a year
• Meet with preschool staff regularly for professional development and collaboration on center-wide events
• Mentor less experienced teachers and student employees; model expert teaching practices, and provide feedback for improving teaching and enhancing parent and student relationships
• Attend and assist with all parent/preschooler special events during the school year
• Follow all policies and procedures of the Science Center and the Preschool
• Follow UPK, DHS, NAEYC, and ECERS regulations for ratio, environment, and safety
• Attend training and carry out PBIS in classroom
• Attend training and carry out The Project Approach in classroom
• Accommodate schedule changes and cover other staff when needed
• Please note this job description does not contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job; duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

Education, Experience and/or Other Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education
• Current certification from the State of Iowa Board of Education
• Maintain current First Aid, Universal Precautions, CPR, and Mandatory Reporter credentials
• Acquire 10 continuing education hours each year
• Has a passion and love for all young children and their families
• Ability to work independently while also constructively contributing in a team environment
• Possesses character qualities such as patience, creativity, flexibility, joyfulness and endurance
• Creative, curious, innovative and is passionate about learning
• Trustworthy and of high integrity, showing high respect for confidential information
• Pass a physical examination and TB test every 2 years
• Successfully pass a background check and DCI fingerprinting

Preferred

• Teaching experience in the public school systems and/or preschool teaching experience
• Deep understanding of developmentally appropriate practices

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. This position is primarily focused on time with children and will also need to sit and stand on the floor throughout the day, and bend, kneel, stoop, crawl and crouch to be at eye level with children. The employee may be required to regularly lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds and occasionally life and/or move up to 50 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

Hours & Work Schedule

Hours will vary based on business needs and may include days, evenings, weekends and holidays.  Primarily a Monday through Friday schedule.  Occasional travel will be required.

To Apply

Email your resume and completed application materials to scihr@sciowa.org.

Classification: Hourly, Non-exempt
Department: Preschool
Reports To: Director of Early Childhood Learning

Position Overview:

This position is responsible for assisting the development and implementation of the Science Center of Iowa Preschool program.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with classroom activities
• Prepare and maintain classroom for daily use
• Meet with classroom teacher to prepare materials for daily use
• Communicate daily with parents on any discipline problems that might arise
• Meet with Preschool staff once a month for planning and activities of the ensuing month
• Attend and assist with all parent/preschooler special events during the school year, if desired
• Create and design classroom games and materials

Requirements:

• Maintain current first aid, universal precautions, CPR and mandatory peporter credentials
• Pass a physical examination and TB every two years
• Excellent teaching and communication skills
• Love of children
• A desire to work with and teach preschoolers
• Inexhaustible patience
• Must enjoy working as part of the Science Center of Iowa team
• Must be able to pass background checks and DCI fingerprinting

Working Hours:

Varied hours; needs to be available during normal school hours Monday through Friday 7:15 am–5:30 pm.

To Apply

Email your resume and completed application materials to scihr@sciowa.org.