Education Specialist

The KSPS PBS Education Specialist is responsible for planning, coordinating, facilitating, and evaluating high-quality educational programs that engage children and families from underserved communities in high-quality STEM and literacy experiences utilizing trusted PBS learning tools and resources. This position also provides recommendations to improve educational media and technology directed toward student learning, promotes PBS learning resources in the community, and occasionally provides training to teachers in PBS educational resources.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each of the essential duties/responsibilities listed below.

• Plans, executes, and facilitates high-quality and playful virtual and in-person K-12 afterschool educational programs, workshops, and camps, utilizing KSPS and PBS KIDS resources to positively impact STEM and literacy learning in underserved children and youth.
• Supports the implementation of high-quality educational programs, including engaging in outreach, recruitment, parent/school communication, and data collection.
• Documents the effectiveness of KSPS educational programs by obtaining, compiling, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data for grants and internal improvement.
• Communicates in a timely and professional manner with parents, teachers, and partner organizations about KSPS programs, closing email loops to maintain positive relationships.
• Creates engaging, culturally responsive, and student-centered curriculum materials such as lesson plans, instructional guides, and support materials.
• Publishes curriculum materials tied to KSPS educational programs on the national PBS education platform, PBS LearningMedia.
• Order and purchase program supplies and educational resources to support weekly programs.
• Ensures curriculum materials are aligned with state and national standards and local educator needs and maintains knowledge of national and state educational standards and pedagogy, particularly in the areas of STEM, literacy, and supporting underserved youth.
• Cultivates a strong understanding of PBS educational media, PBS apps and games, and identifies programs that best meet community needs.
• Promotes KSPS and PBS resources, including apps, games, printables, activities, and lessons via social media, the KSPS website, weekly newsletters, on-air spots, and community outreach events.
• Ensure KSPS programs are welcoming spaces for Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minorities, and other marginalized populations.
• Use effective, trauma-sensitive behavior management practices with youth, maintaining an atmosphere of positivity and play.

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in K-12 education.
• K-12 teaching or non-classroom professional education experience.
• Experience developing and implementing an afterschool or enrichment/expanded learning program.
• Familiarity with national and state academic standards across content areas and PBS educational programs (PBS LearningMedia, PBS KIDS, etc.)
• Proficient in technology used to support student learning such as Zoom, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace (Drive, Forms, Docs, etc.), iPads, or Android tablets used for educational PBS KIDS apps.
• Passion for supporting the academic and social-emotional learning needs of children and youth in underserved communities, particularly low-income and BIPOC communities.
• Experience with desktop publishing software such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite is not required, but highly desired.
• Experience with children’s block coding software such as ScratchJr or other game-based educational apps is not required but desirable.
• Valid Driver’s License and insurability required.
• Reliable transportation required.

Mental & Other Skills/Abilities:

• ability to adapt to changes, delays, or unexpected events in the work environment
• ability to maintain focus for extended periods of time
• ability to complete research projects with resourcefulness and persistence
• working knowledge of word processing and Internet software
• ability to maintain satisfactory relationships with others, excellent customer service skills, and a good overall understanding of appropriate human relations
• ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations
• ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
• ability to present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public

Flexibility: This position may occasionally require work on evenings and Saturdays

Benefits

The salary range for this position is $20.19 - $24.04 per hour depending on qualifications

Benefits offered include:

• Full-time, non exempt
• Regular Schedule (M-F, 8am – 5pm)
• Up to 11 paid holidays (holiday must fall on a normally scheduled workday) or time and a half when working on the actual holiday.
• Vacation: 96 hours annually
• Paid Sick Leave
• Medical/Dental Insurance for employees (and optionally their families)
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Retirement Benefits (401 (K) Plan) Once employee is eligible, Friends of KSPS contributes 3% annually.