Renewable Energy Learning Coordinator

at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Argonne National Laboratory cultivates the next generation of scientists and engineers by connecting with over 40,000 youth and families through our Outreach programs, inspiring 4,400 middle and high school students in our on-site Learning Center and providing internships and on-site programming to over 1,200 university students each year.

Educational activities for high school and college students are facilitated by the University Programs and Partnerships and STEM Education Learning Teams within Argonne. Their mission is to connect world-class research to tomorrow’s STEM problem solvers. Essential to this is providing learning experiences for these students that enhance their knowledge, skills and career awareness to prepare them for a rapidly changing world.

This role will conceptualize, develop, and field test curricula, focused on the topics of bioenergy (renewable energy derived from converting biomass waste into fuels and other products) and bioseparations (designing processes for the isolation of desirable products from biological materials). Curricula will be for upper high school through undergraduate students, translating cutting-edge scientific research to a level that is appropriate for the target audience. This role will also support the coordination of the BRING MATH conference, including administrative and logistical support. Current work is aligned to the community college level. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the curriculum to meet the evolving needs of students and educators. Additionally, contingent on funding availability, there may be opportunities to expand into other scientific topics.

This position requires candidates to have expertise in pedagogical best practices in both formal and informal learning environments. Furthermore, this position supports the dissemination, implementation and promotion of new and existing curricula through ongoing faculty engagement and the facilitation of professional development activities.

This is a full time, one-year term position funded by multiple Department of Energy grants and can be renewed each year based on available funding.

In this role you will:

+ Consult with scientists and other subject matter experts in the translation of cutting-edge science to learning experiences for late high school (junior and senior) and college students

+ Design and test hands-on activities and write student and teacher-facing curricular materials

+ Lead professional development for teachers including workshops, webinars and office hours to assist in the implementation of curricula

+ Revise curricula based on data collected from field tests

This level of knowledge is typically achieved through a formal education in science education or a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) field with a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, and/or environmental science. The selected candidate will be placed in the appropriate level (PA1 or PA2) depending upon depth and breadth of relevant knowledge, skills, and experience brought to the position. The requirements for the desired levels are as follows:

+ PA1 Level: Bachelor’s and 0+ Years of experience or equivalent

+ PA2 Level: Bachelor’s and 2+ Years of relevant experience or equivalent

Position Requirements

+ Knowledge of and experience in designing STEM activities and curricula for late high school (junior and senior level) and/or college students. Specifically, experience in scientific inquiry, problem-based learning, and computational thinking

+ Ability to manage complex work and achieve specified goals under time and resource constraints

+ Knowledge of learning theory and pedagogical best practices

+ Excellent written and oral communication skills

+ Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Respect, Safety, Integrity, and Teamwork

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

+ Knowledge of project-, problem- and/or phenomena-based learning and their applicability to curriculum writing

+ Knowledge of curriculum and academic standards at the community college level

Other:

+ This is a hybrid position with the primary work occurring at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, IL.

+ This position may require you to participate in off-site programming in Chicago and the Chicago region.

+ This position may require occasional travel to national conferences

Job Family

Professional Administrative (PA)

Job Profile

Education Outreach 1

Worker Type

Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full time

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne’s Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.