Urban Programs Educator - Tacoma

Job Title:          Urban Programs Educator - Tacoma

Department:     Urban Programs

Reports To:        Partnerships Manager

Classification:    Part-time/Seasonal, Hourly/Non-exempt

Work Schedule:  Weekdays during school hours; schedule varies

                                  March through December 2022

Work Location:    Tacoma, WA

Pay Grade:            $18.50 per hour plus mileage

Benefit Package:  This position is part-time and does not qualify                                      for health benefits; Seattle’s Paid Sick & Safe                                      Time hours apply

IslandWood’s Urban School Programs seek to cultivate understanding of the complexity of urban systems to give learners the tools to generate solutions that lead to resilient, healthy, and thriving communities. Programs engage students and their teachers in their home environments and dig deep into how built and natural systems work in tandem.

IslandWood is a team-oriented, collaborative organization that nurtures a respectful, professional workplace. We’re working to build a staff that reflects the racial, cultural, and socio-economic diversity of the students we serve. We believe having a staff that authentically reflects our community is crucial to our ability to support student learning. We’re looking for a dynamic, culturally responsive educator to support teachers’ and students’ participation in localized and experiential science learning. We embrace a culture of learning, gratitude, joy, and accountability.

POSITION OVERVIEW and RESPONSIBILITIES:

IslandWood is supporting Tacoma Public Schools in adapting and implementing a 4th grade stormwater engineering science unit called Community Waters (www.communitywaters.org). This position will support IslandWood staff in building school-specific resources, supporting teacher training, leading school-based planning sessions with teachers and neighborhood walking field trips with students.

This educator will work almost entirely in Tacoma, Washington. The work schedule will vary from month to month and can be adapted to fit educator needs. Access to a vehicle is necessary, as travel to schools and sites within Tacoma (specifically Tacoma Public Schools service area) will be needed; mileage will be reimbursed at the current IRS rate. Additionally, access to a reliable computer is desired, though one can be loaned if needed.

Teacher Training and Support:

• (Desired but not required) Attend teacher training on March 17, 2022, with 4 pilot teachers
• (Potential) Support teacher trainings in August 2022 with up to 90 4th grade teachers
• Facilitate school-based planning sessions (in person or virtually) at 20 schools (fall 2022)
• Lead neighborhood walking field trips with classes of students (fall 2022).

School Resources:

• Travel to approximately 30 schools to identify stormwater-related assets and potential stormwater problems (spring and summer 2022)
• Build out school-specific guides for each participating school, including identifying and mapping a walking field trip route, schoolyard stormwater features and maps of where school stormwater ends up (spring and summer 2022).

We anticipate the hours being spread out over the year as follows (please note these are estimates!):

March, April, May, June: 15 hours/month

July-August: 39 hours/month

September-Oct: 43 hours/month

November-Dec: 8 hours/month

General Responsibilities:

• Provide timely and professional communication with IslandWood staff, teachers and partners
• Demonstrate a commitment to learning and growing through feedback
• Demonstrate a commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 1 year of experience teaching elementary and/or middle school youth
• Experience effectively and professionally communicating with classroom teachers
• Experience with Next Generation Science Standards
• Experience successfully engaging youth across cultural and racial boundaries and learning styles
• Must be able to comply with and maintain a drug-free work environment
• Must pass child safety screening procedure post-offer
• Access to a car and willingness to drive to schools around Tacoma
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word & Excel, and Google Maps

Position Posted:                       15 February 2022        

Application Deadline:                Open until filled

Start Date:                                 March 1, 2022

End Date:                                  December 16, 2022

How to apply:

Please submit a cover letter, resume and two current references or an Application for Employment

By email to: employment@islandwood.org and state “Search for Tacoma USP Educator” in the subject line