Physical Science Educator

Physical Science Educator

 

Caltech

 

Job Category:

Fulltime Regular

 

Exempt Overtime Eligible:

Exempt

 

Benefits Eligible: Benefit Based

 

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

 

Job Summary

 

LIGO Laboratory (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) seeks a highly motivated and skilled Physical Science Educator to join its education and public outreach team.

 

This position is located in Livingston, LA.

 

LIGO Laboratory is a National Science Foundation major facility dedicated to observing the newly discovered gravitational-wave universe. Jointly operated by the California Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the LIGO Laboratory operates world-leading observatories near Richland, WA and Baton Rouge, LA as well as R&D centers on the Caltech and MIT campuses. The LIGO Laboratory's mission spans a broad and vibrant array of activities related to gravitational-wave physics and astronomy, including detector operations, R&D toward detector improvements, gravitational-wave astrophysics, observatory operations, and education and public outreach.

 

The LIGO Science Education Center (LIGO SEC) is collocated with the LIGO observatory in Livingston, Louisiana. We use an exhibit hall, classroom, and other facilities to provide visiting students, teachers, and members of the public a hybrid program that includes exhibit-based free exploration and science-standards-based facilitated sessions, together with interactions with the staff at an active leading-edge observatory.

 

We use a multi-pronged approach to serve regional K-12 education, consisting of formal teacher professional development in the physical sciences, primarily during the summer; informal field trips for students of those teachers; and undergraduate docents trained in outreach methods who informally interact with the students and teachers during the academic year.

 

Our informal-science educators communicate the science of gravitational waves utilizing standard K-12 physical science concepts, as part of our mission to inspire a sense of wonder, to engage curiosity and to encourage and diversify the future STEM workforce. In order to accomplish our objectives, we partner with a variety of institutions including San Francisco's Exploratorium and Southern University.

 

For more information, please visit the Laboratory website at https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/LA

 

Life at LIGO Livingston as a Caltech Employee

LIGO's observatory in rural Livingston Parish, Louisiana, is an approximately 35-minute commute from Baton Rouge, LA., and is about 1 hour 20 minutes from New Orleans. Caltech employs a staff of 42 at the Livingston observatory. Caltech has an extraordinary science impact across many fields. Its small size creates a community where innovation and collaboration are the norm. Caltech manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for NASA, the leading US center for the robotic exploration of the Solar System. Caltech also operates large-scale research facilities such as the Palomar and Keck Observatories.

 

South Louisiana enjoys a friendly and unique blend of cultures, food, art, music and festivals—including Mardi Gras each spring. Baton Rouge, the State capital, hosts Louisiana State University. New Orleans, founded in 1718, is one of the most distinctive and well-known cities in the Americas, and is considered the birthplace of jazz. The region along the Mississippi River, which flows through both cities, includes a significant petrochemical industry base and several high-volume shipping ports. Area rivers, lakes and the Gulf of Mexico provide opportunities for recreation and fishing.

 

People choose to work at LIGO for many reasons, often with fulfilling, long-term careers. LIGO is a family-friendly laboratory and strives to ensure everyone is able to achieve the work-life balance they desire. Employees have access to a wide range of benefits including a child-care assistance program. Caltech's benefits program offers a quality, competitive benefits package that is affordable for you and the Institute. The program provides a strong base of coverage for you and your dependents, and the ability to choose the plan and the level of coverage that best meet your needs. We also offer a 403(b) defined contribution plan to eligible staff as well as a Voluntary Retirement Savings (TDA) Plan.

 

https://hr.caltech.edu/careers/2commitment-diversity

 

Caltech and LIGO Laboratory's goal is to build a world-class, diverse workforce and support an inclusive environment that encourages professional development and offers top-notch benefits. Our talented staff, who work at the Caltech campus, or one of our Observatories, come from a variety of fields. Positions include scientists, engineers, information technology staff, outreach professionals, managers, writers, business professionals, and administrative staff. We are deeply committed to encouraging people of all backgrounds to apply for these opportunities. Our experience has demonstrated that the broader the styles, characteristics, backgrounds, and abilities of our staff—in other words, the more diverse our team is—the greater potential we have for success. Caltech is an equal opportunity employer.

 

LIGO Laboratory is committed to being a welcoming place for everyone regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

 

Essential Job Duties

 

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Designs and delivers teacher professional development experiences for teachers. Leads the field trip outreach program, scheduling, developing and conducting field trips.

 

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Creates teacher professional development workshops targeted at Next-Generation Science Standard (NGSS)'s 3-dimensional learning for physical- and Earth-science content related to LIGO.

 

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Facilitates teacher professional development programs.

 

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Works with teachers to arrange field trips and to ensure their field trips create positive impacts on the students.

 

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Teaches K-12 students about the physical science related to LIGO using interactive programs demonstrations and exhibits via the field trip program and offsite programs.

 

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Facilitates public interactions with LIGO via tours, demonstrations, exhibits and activities.

 

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Conducts undergraduate docent training in informal outreach methods of LIGO-related science.

 

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Collects data from teachers to record field trip and teacher professional development impacts.

 

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Develops programs for field trips and teacher professional development.

 

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Collaborates with cross-site partners to accomplish objectives.

 

Basic Qualifications

 

• Bachelor's (or higher) degree in education, science or engineering.

• 3 or more years of experience in science education (formal or informal).

• Experience conducting workshops for teachers.

• K-12 classroom teaching experience.

• Knowledge of physical science.

• Teacher certification.

 

Preferred Qualifications

 

• Masters or doctorate degree in education, science or engineering.

• 5 or more years of teaching science, with at least one of those years teaching middle or high school within the Louisiana K-12 school system, and at least one year teaching in informal educational environments.

• Experience conducting multi-day workshops for teachers.

• Experience creating teacher workshop materials including lesson plans and support materials.

• Experience teaching under-represented audiences similar to those in south Louisiana.

 

Required Documents

 

• Resume

• A cover letter that highlights your relevant experience and your interest in and knowledge of LIGO.

 

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://apptrkr.com/3535032

 

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

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