Applications must go through the posting on the UBC Careers website:
https://www.hr.ubc.ca/careers-postings/staff.php
Applicants should search the listing for "Science Education Specialist" and choosing Job ID 26413.
Job ID: 26413
Location: Vancouver - Point Grey Campus
Employment Group: Management&Professional (AAPS)
Job Category: Educational Programming
Classification Title: Educ. Programming, Level B
Business Title: Science Education Specialist
Department: Physics & Astronomy
Salary: $59,335.00 - $85,477.00 (Annual)
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Desired Start Date: 2017/07/01
Job End Date: 2020/06/30
Funding Type: Grant Funded
Closing Date: 2017/06/10
Available Openings: 1
Job Summary
The position is a Faculty of Science-funded education specialist
embedded in Physics & Astronomy. The person will have disciplinary
expertise in Physics, Astronomy or a related discipline, and will bring
expertise in pedagogy and evidence-based practices from their own
background and bolstered with Skylight-coordinated professional
development workshops and ongoing mentoring from Skylight leadership and
peers. They will support and mentor faculty instructors in the
developed and/or use of evidence-based teaching methods and materials.
From time to time, the incumbent will need to participate in the
instruction to undergraduates to advance the pedagogy of the way a
course is delivered.
The Science Education Specialist will be a resource, guide and support
within the department of Physics & Astronomy. He or she will lead
scholarship of teaching and learning projects, advise the faculty on
teaching and learning practices and work with them on course and
curriculum revisions, evaluations and pedagogical improvement projects.
Organizational Status
Appointment in Physics & Astronomy in the Faculty of Science.
Reports jointly to a faculty supervisor in Physics & Astronomy and
to the Director of Skylight or designate. Works closely with faculty
members and other members of instructional teams (e.g., teaching
assistants) and students who may be hired to help with projects.
Interacts with peer members of Skylight in other departments and the
central unit. May supervise teaching assistants and/or research
assistants.
Work Performed
- Instructional guidance:
o Advise and support faculty in developing and implementing new courses
and course materials, transforming and improving existing courses, and
revising and coordinating revision of curriculum at a course and/or
program level
o Advise and support faculty teaching activities and teaching and learning development projects
o Collect, distil, and communicate data to guide faculty/department
efforts including the design of evaluation tools (concept questions,
surveys, focus group questions etc)
o Advise/collaborate with faculty on teaching and learning project
proposal development (e.g., large and small TLEFs, development grants)
o Liaise with Skylight and CTLT to coordinate relevant educational technology support and administrative assistance
o Prepare departmental reports on pedagogical projects and/or initiatives
o Coordinate departmental activities towards the achievement of the departmental vision around teaching and learning
- Faculty and Teaching Assistant development:
o Coach and consult with faculty to instruct them in evidence-based
practices, possibly as part of a paired instructing arrangement
o Serve as a resource for evidence-based practice
o Provide formative, informal expert feedback to instructors on their teaching
o Develop and deliver professional development workshops for faculty and teaching assistants
o Facilitate the professional development of faculty in the area of
teaching and learning through workshops and one-on-one consultations,
providing expertise and support in the planning, designing and
implementing of evidence-based teaching practices and resources, and by
measuring the effectiveness of such interventions.
- Discipline-based education research (DBER):
o Design educational research experiments and collect relevant data for
course projects and publish newly developed instruments or
implementation of novel methods
o Consult and collaborate on scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) and DBER efforts undertaken by faculty
o Disseminate scholarly work in collaboration with faculty through
presenting at national and international conferences and publishing in
peer-reviewed journals
- Community building:
o Facilitate faculty members' communication and consensus building around teaching and learning in their department
o Liaise across Science departments and with colleagues at other institutions in the same discipline
o Serve on committees related to departmental teaching and learning activities
o Organize and participate in department activities related to
instructional practice such as discussion series, science education
seminars, reading groups etc.
- Participate in centrally-organized work and activities, including
collaborating on FoS-wide projects, actively participating in the
community of their peers across departments, attending/contributing to
Skylight meetings, Supper Series and the Science Education Open House
each April, serving on committees as needed.
- As part of the larger teaching improvement mission, may be asked
occasionally to instruct in courses that are under development/study and
have been identified as in need of pedagogical advancement. Tthis would
be less than one (up to three credits) course a year, at most twice (up
to six credits) in a three year time span, and would be done under an
Honorary Lecturer appointment.
Supervision Received
The role reports jointly to both Skylight Director and Department Head,
or designates. The incumbent will work under general guidelines. Work is
reviewed in term of achievement and effectiveness of the department's
educational goals.
Supervision Given
This role provides guidance and advice to faculty members and other
instructors on pedagogical skills, teaching practices and curriculum.
May supervise TAs, UTAs, GRAs, URAs who may be hired to support DBER and
SoTL projects.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
Participates in the assessment of program offerings and evaluations of
teaching that will impact the success of the teaching programs and
improve the teaching ability of faculty members.
Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. BSc in one of the STEM
disciplines; PhD in physics, astronomy, or related science is preferred
so that the incumbent will have sufficient knowledge of the subject to
better provide relevant pedagogical guidance in the courses taught.
Minimum of four years experience or the equivalent combination of
education and experience. Must have knowledge of current pedagogical
research and best practices in teaching. Experience working in an
instructional capacity (instructor or teaching assistant) with
undergraduates. Experience in curriculum development. Experience in
evaluation. Experience with learning management systems (e.g.,
Blackboard) and other educational technologies would be an asset, as
well as experience in computing and programming.
Skills
- Ability to lead change by helping to implement a vision and taking appropriate action to ensure acceptance and support.
- Ability to instruct and provide training in pedagogical best practices.
- Ability to initiate and conduct research projects.
- Ability to analyze and interpret data, determine implications, and provide recommendations.
- Must have good assessment and evaluation skills.
- Must be able to give effective presentations.
- Must have excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
- Must have good management and organization skills.
- Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
- Ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner.
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and
diversity within its community. We especially welcome applications from
visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with
disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender
identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively
engage with diverse communities. All qualified candidates are
encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be
given priority.
