STEM Education Specialist (DoD)

Are you passionate about STEM Education? Do you love organizing programs and collaborating with diverse groups to support a mission?

Join our dynamic team at Ripple Effect as a STEM Education Specialist with the US Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC). Your mission is to oversee the coordination and administration of the Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science (GEMS) Program.

This program, sponsored by the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) and the USAMRDC, hosts approximately 600 students annually from 4th grade through college at Fort Detrick during the summer. In addition to managing the GEMS Program, the STEM Education Specialist will contribute to the planning and execution of various STEM initiatives.

If this position sounds of interest, there’s a place for you here at Ripple Effect! We are a diverse, progressive, and engaging work environment.

General Information 

• Job Code: CAT-ID-03
• Location: Fort Detrick, MD
• Employee Type: Exempt, Full-Time Regular
• Telework: No
• Clearance: Secret (Required) 
• Number of Openings: 1 
• Salary Range: $70,000 to $76,000 (how we pay and promote) 

Responsibilities 

As an Education Specialist your responsibilities may include:

• Lead the GEMS Program execution throughout June, July, and August and prepare for the rest of the year.
• Prepare weekly materials for all staff, including lesson worksheets and necessary supplies or equipment.
• Supervise and coordinate daily activities of GEMS Program staff during the summer, ensuring smooth classroom management for groups of 100-120 students each week.
• Provide training to staff on curriculum and best practices for the GEMS Program.
• Lead educational outreach initiatives with local schools and forging educational partnership agreements.
• Curate and manage content for the USAMRDC STEM site's social media channels.
• Prepare briefings and gathering data to address inquiries about educational programs.
• Administer and maintain the SharePoint site.
• Provide support to the STEM Coordinator and Managerial Assistant with various related tasks.
• Organize and facilitate weekly GEMS graduation ceremonies and arrange speaker engagements.
• Coordinate the involvement of guest speakers and subject matter experts in GEMS Program activities.
• Maintain effective communication with stakeholders such as subject matter experts, parents, guardians, students, colleges, the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP), and the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA).
• Coordinate planning and preparation for the local GEMS program while offering support to other USAMRDC GEMS locations.
• Revise and enhance the GEMS Program curriculum to meet current educational standards and objectives, while leveraging USAMRDC’s expertise.
• Develop the annual budget for the GEMS Program, encompassing program staff, student stipends, equipment, supplies, and laboratory space in accordance with AEOP guidelines.
• Manage the application review process and recruitment of 20-25 GEMS Program staff, comprising college undergraduates, 11th and 12th grade high school students, and certified K-12 teachers.
• Conduct a thorough evaluation of student applications, select participants for the GEMS Program, and organize class rosters.
• Administer all aspects of the GEMS Program, including handling employee paperwork, overseeing onboarding activities (e.g., background checks, W-9 forms), managing student paperwork, disbursing stipend checks, processing staff payroll, and procuring equipment and supplies.
• Promote and advertise the program to broaden its reach and attract diverse target groups.

Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 4 years of relevant experience

Basic Requirements 

• Experience in educational program management or coordination, particularly in STEM education.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with educational standards and objectives and a commitment to aligning program curriculum with these standards.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft applications.
• Highly efficient and extremely detail oriented.
• Adaptable to rapidly changing priorities and able to manage multiple deadlines and deliver high quality work products, with minimal supervision.
• Eligibility for a Secret security clearance.

To be successful at Ripple Effect, you must be able to pay attention to details, clearly communicate, work independently, and have an eagerness to learn. Learn more about what it takes to become a Rippler here. 

Skills That Set You Apart 

• Curriculum development experience
• Experience successfully working with the DoD
• Experience with government contracting or consulting
• Active Secret clearance

If you don’t have all of the skills above, don’t be discouraged—no resume paints a complete picture of a person. There’s a good chance you’re more wonderful than you think, so please apply! 

About Ripple Effect 

Ripple Effect is an award winning women-owned small business providing provides professional consulting and exceptional talent for federal, private, and non-profit clients. We deliver multi-disciplinary solutions across communications & outreach, research & evaluation, policy & program management, and strategic staffing solutions with a focus on science, research and healthcare domains. 

Hiring Process | Life at Ripple |COVID Response | DEI 

Benefits

Ripple Effect rewards our employees for their contributions to our mission in many ways, from competitive pay and exceptional benefits to a range of work/life programs based on your employment classification and personalized preferences.  

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Ripple Effect is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, political affiliation, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the hiring process, please let us know by contacting our HR department at [email protected] or your recruiter. Eligibility for employment will be verified using E-verify.