Area 59 STEM Education & Makerspace Instructor

Job Title: Area 59 STEM Education & Makerspace Specialist

FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-time

Grade: 8, $45,000 - $53,991.20

Department: Institutional Advancement

Reports to: Director of Area 59

Job Summary

The Area 59 STEM Education & Makerspace Specialist is an experienced educator and active member of the Area 59 team. The position leads hands-on STEM and emerging technology learning, with an emphasis on elementary and middle school students, while supporting programs for learners of all ages.

This blended education and makerspace position collaborates with Area 59 staff to plan and deliver educational programs, assist members and partners with projects, develop working knowledge of Area 59 equipment and software, and support daily makerspace operations within the employee's training and demonstrated proficiency.

Essential Functions

(Employees of the District must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodations, the essential functions of the position as detailed in this section.)

• Collaborates with Area 59 staff to design, coordinate, and deliver hands-on STEM, maker, and emerging technology programs, with primary educational leadership for elementary and middle school programming.
• Plans and delivers field trips, school outreach, homeschool programs, camps, classes, family learning experiences, career exploration, educator professional development, and other assigned learning opportunities.
• Performs the customary responsibilities of an educator, including instructional planning, curriculum development, group management, differentiation, communication, and maintaining a safe, inclusive learning environment.
• Connects makerspace tools and technologies to academic content, career pathways, workforce applications, and real-world problems and uses feedback and participation data to improve programming.
• Assists members and partners with project planning, design, materials, equipment use, troubleshooting, and common fabrication processes within demonstrated proficiency, seeking specialized assistance when needed.
• Supports daily makerspace operations and follows and reinforces applicable safety procedures, supervision requirements, equipment authorization rules, and personal protective equipment expectations.
• Builds productive relationships with educational and community partners and represents Area 59 and Gillette College professionally.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

(Employees of the District are required to possess a minimum proficiency level of English, both written and spoken, that will enable them to communicate safely, effectively, and efficiently with students, co-workers, and the public.)

• Bachelor's degree in education, STEM education, educational technology, elementary or secondary education, career and technical education, or a closely related field.
• Current or previously held K-12 teaching certification, license, or credential and direct classroom teaching experience with elementary and/or middle school students.
• Demonstrated ability to plan instruction, manage student groups, differentiate learning, and develop curriculum or educational programs.
• Ability and willingness to learn makerspace equipment, fabrication technologies, design software, and emerging technologies while balancing educational responsibilities with the needs of a public-facing makerspace.
• Strong communication, organization, collaboration, customer-service, and problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively with learners, colleagues, families, and community partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of classroom teaching experience, particularly in grades K-8 or in STEM-related subjects.
• Experience leading field trips, camps, outreach, homeschool programs, enrichment activities, or other hands-on youth learning experiences.
• Experience in a makerspace, STEM center, museum, community education program, or similar environment and with relevant educational or emerging technologies.
• Experience facilitating educator professional development or building school and community partnerships.
• Master's degree in education, curriculum and instruction, educational technology, STEM education, or a related field.

Competencies for Successful Performance

• Knowledge of elementary and middle school learning, STEM education, instructional design, assessment, differentiation, classroom management, and instructional safety.
• Ability to create engaging learning experiences in classroom, makerspace, field trip, outreach, and community settings.
• Ability to communicate educational and technical concepts clearly to people with varied ages, abilities, backgrounds, and experience levels.
• Ability to learn and safely apply makerspace equipment, software, fabrication processes, and emerging technologies.
• Skill in instruction, facilitation, planning, project consultation, customer service, organization, documentation, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

• May coordinate temporary instructors, volunteers, student workers, or program assistants during assigned programs and events but does not have regular supervisory responsibility unless assigned.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

(The physical demands and working conditions described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Work is performed in makerspace, classroom, fabrication, laboratory, school, campus, office, outreach, and community environments and may involve conditions typical of active fabrication spaces.
• The position regularly involves standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, carrying materials, preparing instructional spaces, and moving between learning stations.
• The position may require lifting, carrying, positioning, or assisting with instructional materials, tools, equipment, tables, displays, and supplies consistent with District requirements.
• The employee must wear required personal protective equipment and follow all applicable District, manufacturer, facility, and program safety procedures.
• The position requires a flexible schedule, including regular weekend work during portions of the year and occasional evening, summer, off-campus, special-event, or local travel assignments.

How To Apply:

• Please apply at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/gillettecollege
• Send questions to [email protected].

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

Gillette Community College District is an equal opportunity institution and as such, does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law in admission or access to or treatment or employment in its educational programs or activities. Direct inquiries or complaints to Shantel Moore, Human Resources Director, 300 W Sinclair Drive, Gillette, WY 82718, or [email protected], or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 1244 Speer Blvd., Ste. 310, Denver, CO 80204-3582, 303-844-5695 or TDD 303-844-3417.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $53,991.20 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person