Program Officer for Higher Education Outreach and Professional Development

Primary Work Address: 4000 Jones Bridge Road, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815

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The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) advances the discovery and sharing of scientific knowledge to benefit us all. As a biomedical research organization and philanthropy, HHMI supports a vibrant community of academic researchers, educators, students, and professionals. Together, we’re unlocking the fundamentals of biology and building an open, inclusive future for science.

HHMI’s Science and Educational Media Group works to engage and inspire people everywhere with stories about scientists and the powerful promise that science holds. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, our award-winning Tangled Bank Studios, BioInteractive program, and key journalism partnerships promote greater understanding of the living world and our role in sustaining it.

Summary:

In this position, The Program Officer will work to increase awareness and implementation of HHMI BioInteractive’s teaching materials and evidence-based teaching approaches among college and university educators. They will also collaborate with the Program Officer for Higher Education and Spanish Language Initiatives to determine how to initiate, moderate, and sustain online communities of college and university educators.

The person in this role will have knowledge of and experience using evidence-based teaching practices at the college level, a track record of actively engaging with networks or communities of science educators, and experience organizing, designing, or facilitating teaching-focused professional development for other educators. They should also have excellent time-management skills and a proven track record of prioritizing and handling multiple projects.

This role will report in person to our headquarters in Chevy Chase, MD four days each week.

What we provide:

• A role that is uniquely positioned to have an impact in undergraduate life sciences education because of its access to resources and freedom to solve problems creatively.

• Opportunities to use your talents toward the critical work of equity and inclusion while being an integral member of a group that is mission driven and passionate about the work they do.

• A team that believes in continuous learning and cultivates an environment where all members of the group help each other.

• A competitive compensation package that includes a 10% employer contribution to your retirement, up to $10,000 in educational reimbursement each year, and a significant budget for professional development.

What you’ll do:

• Plan and coordinate in-person and online professional development experiences (e.g., teaching workshops, discussion forums) for college and university educators at venues ranging from college campuses to education conferences.

• Support BioInteractive’s higher education Ambassadors in the designing and delivering of professional development experiences for college and university educators.

• Work with the Program Officer for Higher Education and Spanish Language Initiatives to develop, manage, and sustain online Faculty Learning Communities - groups of college and university educators that engage in sustained teaching-focused professional development.

• Collaborate with the Director of Evaluations and outside partners to evaluate the impact of outreach and professional development efforts in the higher education space.

• Work alongside other team members and outside partners to plan and conduct professional development for the BioInteractive higher education Ambassadors.

• Identify and pursue new opportunities to increase awareness and adoption of BioInteractive resources, including cultivating new audience segments in higher education.

• Support the development and implementation of processes that support the effective planning and tracking of outreach and professional development activities.

• Represent the Science and Educational Media Group at science education meetings and conferences.

What you bring:

• MS. degree or equivalent in a natural science, education, or related field. Ph.D. preferred 

• Training at the graduate or professional level in evidence-based teaching approaches (e.g., graduate coursework, certificate, microcredentials, completion of a recognized professional development program).

• Minimum three years of experience teaching life sciences at the college or university level; experience teaching in the community college setting a plus.

• Minimum two years of experience participating in education-focused professional networks or groups (e.g., membership in education committees of professional societies, graduate student or post-doctoral teaching interest groups, formal or informal educator professional development networks).

• Experience organizing, designing, or conducting professional development (e.g., conferences, courses, workshops) for fellow college or university educators.

• Excellent presentation and communication skills, written, verbal, and interpersonal.

• Expert use of Zoom and other online tools that facilitate person-to-person interaction.

• Ability to establish relationships with diverse collaborators and partners.

• Commitment to diversity and inclusion in science education.

• Ability to travel to conferences, workshops with partners, multi-day meetings on and off-campus, and other events, including weekends.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities.

• Excellent independent judgment and decision-making skills.

Application Instructions: 

To apply, please submit a resume/CV and a brief, one-page cover letter (required) stating how your qualifications and experience match the requirements and how your experience will support HHMI in its mission.  

Physical Requirements:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however.  Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more. 

Compensation Range

$84,385.60 (minimum) - $105,482.00 (midpoint) - $137,126.60 (maximum)

Pay Type:

Annual

HHMI’s salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate's education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity when making job offers. Typically, a new hire for this position in this location is compensated between the minimum and the midpoint of the salary range.

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer