STEM and Computer Science Education and Workforce Fellowship at the Department of Defense
The Need:
As the largest employer of Federal scientists and engineers, it is a national security imperative that the Department of Defense (DoD) have enduring access to technical talent. The DoD is committed in ensuring that its science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education activities are inclusive, holistic, and accessible.
There is an opportunity to reimagine education and learning experiences in a way that center young people and their families while also providing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and computer science (CS) skills and knowledge that will prepare all young people for futures full of choices and opportunities. The Department of Defense is uniquely positioned to contribute to this national mission by leveraging more than 60 research laboratories and engineering centers across the Defense Laboratory Enterprise that spans across 200 plus locations, with more than 60,000 DoD scientists and engineers. Additionally, the DoD also works closely with its academic and industry partners to build the Nation’s technical talent.
Supporting our students’ STEM and CS learning both in and out-of-school from elementary = school through the workforce is a national imperative. A diverse and sustainable science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent pool that is ready to serve our Nation and extend the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) competitive edge is a critical priority for our shared future.
In particular, building and connecting students to a continuum of opportunities from elementary school through the workforce will empower all of our young people to harness their talents and unlock their potential. Their brilliance is desperately needed as we seek to maintain our competitive edge, address global challenges like climate change and bridge new frontiers like space. Supporting inclusive, engaging STEM and CS education both in and out of school is a critical need for our nation.
The Opportunity:
The STEM and CS Education and Workforce Fellow provides a unique opportunity for an individual with expertise in STEM and CS Equity to support the U.S. Department of Defense’s STEM mission to inspire, cultivate, and develop exceptional STEM talent through a continuum of opportunities to enrich our current and future DoD workforce poised to tackle evolving defense technological challenges. In particular, the Fellowship would support the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering’s Basic Research Office, and specifically the DoD STEM plan. The Fellow’s primary charge would be to support STEM learning from elementary school through the workforce by working alongside officials in the U.S. Department of Defense to effectively implement the DoD STEM plan to inspire, cultivate and develop exceptional STEM talent. The Fellow would be responsible for supporting the implementation of the DoD STEM plan. The goals of the STEM plan are to:
1) Inspire community engagement in DoD STEM education programs and activities to provide meaningful opportunities for students and educators.
2) Attract the Nation’s and DoD’s current and future STEM workforce through multiple pathways to educational and career opportunities.
3) Increase participation of underserved and underrepresented groups in STEM education and workforce development programs, activities and outreach.
4) Advance the efficiency and effectiveness of STEM education and workforce development programs, activities and outreach through evaluation and assessment.
The Fellow is to be responsible for supporting DoD STEM activities including supporting convenings of the DoD STEM grantees, supporting details related to grant competitions for DoD STEM, representing the DoD STEM at critical conferences, sharing the DoD STEM impact externally and with other agencies and engaging external experts to surface and identify strong models of excellent STEM education from elementary through workforce. The Fellow will also be responsible for identifying opportunities to deepen DoD’s work in STEM and CS through external convenings, public-private partnerships and other communications and outreach activities.
In addition to working with offices across DoD, the Fellow will coordinate with other Federal Agencies that support STEM and CS. These include but are not limited to: the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the U.S. Department of Education (ED), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS/AmeriCorps), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Park Service, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Justice.
- The Fellow’s duties and responsibilities at DoD will include but are not limited to the following: Implementing the DoD STEM Plan, which includes a focus on in and out of school STEM and CS.
- Program management of various National Defense Education Program (NDEP) initiatives, to include grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.
- Coordinate STEM education and outreach activities across the Department of Defense (Departments of the Army, Navy (Marine Corps), Air Force (Space Force), and other Defense Agencies)
- Support management of evaluation assessment capability in promoting a culture of evaluation as it pertains to investments in STEM education and outreach.
- Regular communication about progress and opportunities to the Fellows manager and senior leadership. This could include: regular written updates, formal briefing sessions and other communications opportunities.
- Representing DoD in some of the interagency working groups focused on STEM education.
- Surfacing exemplar STEM and CS programs and opportunities to learn more about effective models and identify spotlight opportunities or site visits. These models should include examples from in and out of school learning experiences.
- Supporting senior leaders engagements around STEM and CS. For example, preparing briefing memos, talking points, video scripts and others.
- Coordinating with organizations and individuals with expertise in STEM and CS both in and out of school to support the discovery and scaling of evidence-based practices.
- Utilizing DoD resources to enable new collaboration models and approaches that support STEM and CS learning
- Incorporating feedback and advice from their supervisor and other ED colleagues to ensure quality work products.
- Coordinating with their supervisor and working with other Federal Agencies to strengthen collaboration between DoD and other Federal partners, such as those listed above, in the area of STEM and CS.
- Identifying opportunities (e.g., convenings, events, speeches, and other communications) to highlight models, interventions, and policies in STEM learning at the State and local levels that others can learn from and replicate, as appropriate.
- Identifying opportunities to provide content area expertise around afterschool and summer learning practices and approaches.
The Person:
The ideal candidate for this role is an intrapreneurial and collaborative problem solver passionate about STEM and CS equity and excellence in elementary school through the workforce, as well as educational equity. This person must be highly self-motivated, organized and excel at implementation of priorities.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
- Background investigation/security clearance and verification that he or she has not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by DoD required.
- Military selective service registration by the date of appointment as a STEM Next Opportunity Fund Fellow required (applicable only to males born after December 31, 1959).
- Bachelor’s degree required (preferably in STEM), although a graduate degree is strongly preferred.
- 10+ years of experience in STEM education and outreach required, with program management and evaluation experience in PreK-12 STEM learning and teaching, and higher education preferred.
- 5+ years of experience in education policy required.
- Previous experience building relationships across diverse groups of stakeholders required.
- Previous experience working in the Federal Government preferred.
All Fellows are required to pass a background check and security clearance as required by their Federal Agency.
To Apply: Please submit a written application here – https://forms.gle/o8vr4vMt8w4fYfeA7 by February 27th, 2023 at 5pm PT.
Salary and Benefits:
The Salary Range for this position is $115,000-$165,000. STEM Next provides paid time off, sick leave and 13 federal holidays. STEM Next provides a comprehensive set of benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, 401(k) Retirement Plan, and Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account.
STEM Next Opportunity Fund is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.
