Organization Description:

Spark-Y has been empowering youth since 2009 with hands-on engagement opportunities focused on agriculture, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and STEM. We work with a variety of schools, businesses, partner organizations, and community entities in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Projects vary widely, but primarily focus on three central themes:

Youth Programming - Working with schools and educational programs, we bring hands-on learning to youth in a variety of ways, including: engagement with agriculture systems, take-home virtual STEM kits, job pathway programs, and more.

The Urban Ag. Lab & Sustainable System Builds - Spark-Y builds sustainable agriculture systems and manages an Urban Ag. Lab for hands-on learning, entrepreneurship, and sustainable food production. Systems include: gardens, greenhouses, aquaponic systems, hydroponic farms, compost and vermicompost, rain gardens, and many others.

Internships and Community Projects - Hosting youth interns from high school through grad school, Spark-Y has engaged with a variety of projects aimed at youth and community engagement, environmental justice, restoration, and beautification.

Location: Minneapolis, MN
Position Code: Full-time (FTE)
Deadline to apply: February 6th, 2023

Job Description:

The Spark-Y STEM Educator will support youth education programs with the development of engineering, other S.T.E.A.M programs, and create a learning environment where students will explore interests in 3D printing, circuitry, graphic design, engineering, etc. They will proactively work with our education team on ways to integrate STEM into classrooms, deliver and design K-12 STEM programming cultivated with coaching and mentorship, founded on real-world data, informed by youth voice/choice, and centered around practical experience. The person hired to fill this position will be responsible for instruction and will be an integral part of the student educational experience, coaching and advising students as well as conducting program, course, and student outcomes assessments. The STEM Educator will support the development of Youth Career Pathways that attract and credential nontraditional students. In addition, the STEM Specialist will engage in professional work to advance Spark-Y’s mission by participating, building and fostering relationships between education and business, professional development, and community service in the pursuit of excellence.

Essential Job Functions:

Including, but not limited to:

  • Assist with the facilitation and preparation of K-12 Spark-Y Programming

  • Develop, coordinate, and instruct curriculum

  • Work to ensure incorporation of new instructional technologies and strategies in STEM lessons

  • Work to keep the lab organized and well-stocked

  • Develop safety and maintenance systems and guidelines for educators and youth in the STEAM lab and classroom

  • Maintain currency in subject matter through professional development

  • Work collaboratively with community members and partners on projects

Essential Experience and Skills:

  • Knowledge of computers and office applications

  • Knowledge of STEM learning structures and guiding principles in STEM - related programs

  • Experience working with multiple grade levels

  • Demonstrated experience in STEM course instruction and curriculum development

  • Strong organizational skills

  • Organize and manage STEAM equipment and training

  • Willing to plan and lead staff development

  • Ability to work within an open and team environment using collaborative approaches

  • Prior successful experience in an urban setting working with a diverse student population is highly desirable

  • Willingness to enter your “growth zone” by challenging yourself to try new things

Preferred Skill/Experience:

  • Excellent organization and time management skills

  • Strong work ethic and ability to take initiative and act independently in preparing for scheduled teaching assignments

  • Ability to analyze student data and using results to adjust the taught curricula to improve student achievement

  • Ability to foster school and community-wide partnerships to promote quality in education

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent STEM experience. For example, degrees including but not limited to: Health Sciences, IT, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, and Nutrition Science/Food Science.

Existing teaching license (in or out of state) beneficial but not required.

Salary and Benefits:

$34,000-42,500 annualized salary (commensurate with experience). Organization-wide time off including federal holidays. PTO includes 12 vacation days and 5 personal days. Flexible schedule. Monthly health care stipend. 15 paid days Maternity / Paternity Leave in addition to FMLA standard 12 weeks.

At Spark-Y we value passion, community, balance, integrity and growth.

Our leadership and staff build collaborative relationships with our partners and team members to empower ourselves and others. We’re a forward-thinking organization fueled by resourceful innovators that take the initiative to better serve our mission. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply, including women and applicants of color. | EEOC Employer.

Application Deadline: February 6th, 2023

Our leadership and staff build collaborative relationships with our partners and team members to empower ourselves and others. We’re a forward-thinking organization fueled by resourceful innovators that take the initiative to better serve our mission. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply, including women and applicants of color. | EEOC Employer.