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Science Curriculum Developer, Global Sustainability (Writer-Editor) (IS-1082-11)

Application Deadline: 11 April 2025

Department: Smithsonian Science Education Center

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Manager, Global Sustainability Series

Compensation: $84,601 - $93,059 / year

Description

OPEN DATE: March 14, 2025

CLOSING DATE: April 11, 2025 (This job will close once 100 applications are received which may be sooner than the closing date.)

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed One (1) Year (with an option to renew annually)

SCHEDULE: 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).

OVERVIEW

The Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) is an education organization within the Smithsonian Institution. The SSEC’s mission is Transforming K-12 Education Through Science in collaboration with communities across the globe. SSEC promotes innovative, experiential, and integrated inquiry-based K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teaching and learning; ensures all students and teachers are included in STEM opportunities and recognize themselves in STEM; and advances STEM education for a more sustainable future. The SSEC achieves its goals by developing exemplary curriculum materials and digital resources; supporting the professional growth of K-12 teachers and school leaders; and conducting outreach programs to help schools, school districts, state education agencies, and ministries of education implement transdisciplinary, inquiry-based science education programs. The Smithsonian Science Education Center values the teaching and learning of science in a world of unprecedented scientific and technological change. SSEC is not a museum.

We are currently seeking a Science Curriculum Developer (Writer-Editor). This person will report to the Manager, Global Sustainability Series and will be primarily responsible for the planning, design, production, and editing of SSEC’s Smithsonian Science for Global Goals curriculum and other print and digital material.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for writing and editing grades 6-12 international transdisciplinary sustainability education curriculum and other digital or print information incorporating topics and approaches drawn from natural science, social science, sustainability, place-based learning, participatory action research, and global citizenship.
• In collaboration with a small team, assist in the development of new print and digital educational products and innovate on ways to make those products more usable and effective.
• The incumbent will oversee co-creation of materials with educators and field testing of developed materials and use those experiences to guide development and revisions.
• The incumbent identifies and integrates scientific expertise from across the Smithsonian Institution and from a diverse range of researchers from around the world to integrate into SSEC’s educational offerings.
• The incumbent will stay current with the latest scientific and socio-scientific research taking place among the Smithsonian community and advise SSEC staff of potential collaborations.
• The incumbent will ensure accuracy of all scientific content published by SSEC via print and digital channels.
• The incumbent interviews subject-matter specialists and program officials when the information needed is not available or not verifiable through other research methods.
• The incumbent represents the work of Smithsonian Science for Global Goals to groups of educators, youth, and others.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• A demonstrated passion for and knowledge of science, sustainability, and education.
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a natural science, sustainability studies, or education.
• Demonstrated experience in science writing, educational resource creation, or curriculum development.
• An understanding of the needs of grades 6-12 educators and students.
• Understanding of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
• Ability to work collaboratively and constructively as part of a team and to delegate work effectively among team members.
• Comfortable with receiving and providing constructive critique and feedback.
• Ability to think deeply about challenging topics and engage in self-reflection about approaches and impacts.
• Skilled in writing and thorough knowledge of Standard English grammar and usage.
• Ability to communicate effectively to translate scientific information into written materials.
• A flexible, kind, optimistic attitude and passion for educational innovation.

Preferred knowledge and skills:

• Advanced degree in education, natural science, sustainability, or related field.
• Understanding of the UNSDGs and how they apply to curriculum materials.
• Understanding of educational systems found in both the US and internationally.
• Familiarity with asset-based pedagogies such as social-emotional learning, cultural responsiveness, universal design for learning and able to incorporate these approaches into curriculum design.
• Understanding of the research into how students learn science and shift towards more sustainable behaviors and attitudes.

Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact SSEC-HR@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.