Public Education Specialist 4
The University of California, San Diego
About this position
Position Description
The Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment and Teaching Excellence (CREATE) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) houses several teacher professional development programs for prospective and practicing teachers, student educational outreach, and educational research and evaluation services programs. The UC San Diego Mathematics Project (UCSD MP) is one of CREATE’s teacher professional development programs. UCSD MP is a network of K-16 educators, UCSD math, engineering, science, and education faculty, and community members who work together to explore new ways of addressing the changing needs of classroom teachers in San Diego and Imperial Counties. CREATE’s mission is to improve the K-20 pipeline to and through post-secondary education for low-income students and students of color, as well as other underrepresented groups. CREATE does this by creating school-university partnerships with schools serving high-need populations of students, deploying teacher professional development services to schools and districts upon request and via contracts, providing state and federally funded college preparation and counseling services to individual and groups of students at various low-income secondary schools, and partnering with a variety of faculty and departments on campus to marshal a variety of campus resources towards meeting the needs of K-16 students in the larger San Diego and Imperial County region. Under the general direction of the UC San Diego Mathematics Project Director, the coordinator possesses an extensive understanding of the federal and California standards (Common Core State Standards in Mathematics and 2023 CA Mathematics Framework) and accountability systems, especially those concentrated upon mathematics education in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade. It is essential that the coordinator’s knowledge of the K-12 public school system extend to include non-traditional public schools such as charter schools, and their efforts and challenges in preparing students (particularly those who are low-income, English Learners, and in other minoritized subpopulations) for two- and four-year colleges. The Coordinator must also possess an extensive understanding of the context, policies, and structure of the K-20 educational system in California, and in particular the San Diego and Imperial regions. The incumbent independently oversees instructional activities during the academic year, summer sessions, intersessions, after school, and on weekends and evenings. The incumbent conducts coaching, workshops, institutes, short instructional modules, and/or entire professional development programs/courses for practicing teachers. The incumbent professionally articulates and represents the UC San Diego Mathematics Project and CREATE at statewide meetings of the state-funded math projects and other California Subject Matter Projects that operate on UC, CSU, and other colleges/university campuses, as well as regional meetings with K-12 and post-secondary educators. The incumbent assists CREATE colleagues, and especially the UCSD MP director, in increasing the impact of the UC San Diego Mathematics Project by seeking additional funds. This involves preparing grant proposals submitted to state agencies and federal agencies such as CA Gear UP, NSF, NIH, DOE, DOD, or other such state and federal funders. It also requires the Coordinator to assist the director in securing outside professional development contracts with non-profit organizations, community organizations, informal math, science, and engineering organizations, institutions of higher education, and schools/districts/County Offices of Education. It requires that the Coordinator actively participates in philanthropic fundraising via the university or through other non-profit entities. Uses advanced technical expertise, accredited and / or certification public educational program concepts and organizational objectives to resolve complex public education program issues and needs assessment initiatives. Works on most complex public education program issues, where analysis of situations requires an in-depth evaluation and understanding of organizational strategies and business objectives. Exercises judgment in selecting methods and techniques for delivering courses, presentations, and development of programs. Exercises judgment in selecting methods and techniques for course and instructional improvement. Fully knowledgeable in course subject matter and program. Serves as "lead" accredited and / or certification public educational program specialist and subject matter expert to develop public educational program personnel. This is a 2-year contract appointment. This appointment may be extended or converted to career status based on the needs of the department.
Qualifications
Demonstrated working knowledge of educational reform in urban schooling. Supervisory experience to provide direction, guidance, and training to other staff. Working knowledge of current education research and adult learning theory so that teaching strategies are appropriate for teachers. Working knowledge of state and national guidelines and school district administrative procedures in order to tailor programs to meet their needs. Working knowledge of the University and campus-wide administrative and academic organization, budget, and personnel procedures. Working knowledge of research methods to evaluate the effectiveness of programs. Ability to organize workflow to accomplish established objectives, delegating responsibility, training and performance evaluation. Skill in using business software systems in the completion of work assignments (i.e., Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint). Advanced analytical, problem solving, interpersonal, communication and presentation skills. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of the organization's policies and procedures; advanced knowledge of the functional area, and understands how work impacts other areas of public educational programs. Advanced knowledge of accredited and / or certificate program instruction and delivery methodologies, the organization, market and business strategies. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals at all levels, e.g., colleagues, support staff, University and school district personnel and students. Ability to analyze and determine school and district/cluster needs and resources to provide programs to maximize effectiveness of activities. Excellent written communication skills to write and edit effective letters, memos, reports, proposals and miscellaneous documents. Ability to design and evaluate programmatic and organizational strategies to determine their effectiveness. Excellent verbal and written communication skills required in order to communicate effectively to small and large audiences. Elicit cooperation and support, share new ideas, encourage discussion and disseminate information. Ability to develop and administer budgets in accordance with University and funding agency guidelines and policies. Ability to conduct workshops, institutes, short instructional modules, and entire professional development programs/courses sometimes for prospective, but largely for practicing teachers. Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. PREFERRED Extensive understanding of the context, policies, and structure of the K-20 educational system in California and in particular the San Diego and Imperial regions. Knowledge of the K-12 public school system, including non-traditional public schools such as charter schools, and their efforts and challenges in preparing students (particularly those who are low-income, English Learners, and in other minoritized subpopulations) for two- and four-year colleges is essential. Extensive knowledge of curricula used in K-12 classrooms and instructional techniques that best enhance students’ learning of the mathematics classroom, including the mathematics practice standards. These instructional techniques include, but are not limited to, complex instruction, culturally-relevant pedagogy/approaches, performance assessments, and inquiry-based approaches to learning. Prior experience as a credentialed classroom teacher, administrator, manager of an academic/research project, or equivalent applicable experience. Mathematics Teaching Credential preferred. Continuing education in related field preferred.Administration Credential (Candidate at minimum) preferred.