The Head of Education sets the direction for the APS education programs area in consultation with the Director of Education and Diversity and key APS leaders. This position leads education programs, engages key stakeholders and works synergistically with other program areas. This position is based at the APS headquarters office located in College Park, MD (walking distance from the College Park Metro Station).
Responsibilities
Leads education programs
- Develops and advances high impact education programs that embody APS priorities, in consultation with the department director and key APS leaders
- Maintains deep knowledge of peer-reviewed literature, reports and other publications to inform program development
- Evaluates the effectiveness of education programs using best practices and makes changes informed by evaluation results
- Writes proposals to fund education programs and helps identify potential funding sources
- Leads staff teams to implement programs and assumes primary responsibility for the success of education initiatives
Engages key stakeholders to help define and advance education priorities
- Serves as a liaison to the Committee on Education (COE) and engages members in actively shaping and implementing the APS education agenda
- Serves as a liaison to the Forum on Education (FEd), the Topical Group on Education Research (GPER) and other APS units interested in education, and seeks to engage executive committees in working collaboratively toward common goals
- Builds and maintains relationships with education leaders in the physics community and other organizations to understand trends, challenges, best practices, and opportunities
Works synergistically with other APS program areas and relevant departments
- Collaborates with Public Engagement, Diversity, Careers, International Affairs and the Office of Governmental Affairs in areas of common interest, leveraging the expertise of other program areas to enhance public engagement initiatives and vice versa
- Works closely with Communications to effectively reach target audiences
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Education: Ph.D. (preferred) or M.S. in physics or closely related field is required, including physics education research and science education
Experience: Five years of experience leading education programs or equivalent is required. Experience with proposal writing and project management is required. Supervisory experience is preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
General: Needs to possess a deep knowledge of physics education, including effective practices and peer-reviewed literature. Strong, polished interpersonal, written and oral communication skills are necessary. Must have the ability to handle several complex projects simultaneously, possess excellent organizational skills, and meet deadlines. Must be able to proactively identify and respond to needs, and exercise judgment. Computer skills and high level of proficiency in standard office software are essential. Customer service orientation desired, including ability to resolve conflicts constructively, and to empathize and understand perspectives and widely varying backgrounds of others. Needs to demonstrate willingness and ability to work as a team player. Must be able to travel several times per year.
Leadership and Management: Must be able to manage up, manage down, and manage across effectively. Must demonstrate a collaborative style to engage committee members and membership units in advancing outreach objectives, and partner effectively with APS staff in synergistic areas. Needs to build and maintain good relationships with key stakeholders in the physics education community. Needs to be able to gather strategic input and use results of strategic analyses to identify new directions and refine existing programs, in consultation with the department director and key APS leaders. Must understand and employ principles of project management and program evaluation. Competence in managing grants, proposal writing and budgetary management practices is required.
Supervisory Skills: Must be able to set expectations, monitor and assess performance, and establish accountability. Needs to understand and apply basic supervisory principles involved in allocating resources, delegating work, motivating people and resolving conflicts. Needs to be sensitive to the reactions of others and offer appropriate responses, so they feel their perspectives are heard and taken into account.
To apply, send cover letter with salary requirement, resume, and a list of professional references to the attention of APS Human Resources via e-mail: personnel@aps.org
