Coordinator of Science, Environmental Literacy, and Outdoor Education

Job Description for 

Coordinator of Science, Environmental Literacy, Outdoor Education 

Position Title: Coordinator of Science, Environmental Literacy, Outdoor Education 

Reports To: Executive Director of Curriculum Innovation and Design

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Classification: Licensed

Amount of Travel: Minimal 

Job Status: Full-Time

Level: District Support 

Work Schedule: 245 Days

Date Created: May 2023 

Salary Range: $62,900.53 to $103,464.79

Position Summary

The North Little Rock School District (NLRSD) is seeking exceptional applications for the leadership position of Coordinator of Science, Environmental Literacy, Outdoor Education. This newly reorganized role is to serve as the district expert on science education, environmental literacy education, and outdoor education to propel the NLRSD efforts to ensure every child is future-ready.  The position is responsible for coordinating and supervising the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive Prek-12 science, environmental literacy, and outdoor education that vertically align to improve teaching and learning. Through a lens of equity, structures, culture, and leadership, provides supervision of the programs with a focus on improved student performance and building the professional capacity of classroom teachers and school-based leaders. The primary work of the coordinator will ensure a high level of instructional leadership to create systems, structures, processes, and procedures to eliminate gaps in student learning through equity practices. 

Essential Functions: The following duties are representative of performance expectations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Coordinator of Science, Environmental Literacy, Outdoor Education, will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Conducts strategic planning of the grades Prek-12 science, environmental literacy, and outdoor education program through the use of data analysis; observes programs and evaluates instructional delivery. 
• Serves on or chairs committees to review, modify, develop, and/or evaluate Prek-12 science, environmental literacy, and outdoor education programs and resources.
• Coordinates the articulation of curriculum between grades and school levels. Ensures curriculum is aligned with the Arkansas state standards and Next Generation of Science Standards. 
• Develops short cycle district and benchmark assessments for the science, environmental literacy, and outdoor education programs that are aligned with the state’s standards and the Next Generation of Science Standards. 
• Develops or updates program and course materials; evaluates texts and materials offered by suppliers; selects materials of instruction and instructional technology and prepares specifications for purchase of materials. 
• Assists in developing plans for new or modified facilities. 
• Visits schools to observe and evaluate teaching methods, counsels, and assists in curricular-related issues, program planning and implementation, and assessment development.
• Demonstrates effective teaching pedagogy and techniques; demonstrates multicultural diversity practices and establishes pilot programs to test materials of instruction and instructional methods. 
• Maintains knowledge of current research in the area of science, environmental literacy, and outdoor education programs and makes available to professional staff.
• Plans and conducts professional development in areas of responsibility; counsels new personnel or student teachers as needed.
• Coordinates activities of related local, state, or federal entities with other programs or subject areas such as the Arkansas Environmental Education Association (AEEA). 
• Interprets grades Prek-12 science, environmental literacy, and outdoor education programs, curriculum policy, and instructional methods to stakeholders, including parents, school system personnel, and civic associations. 
• Develops course descriptions for new and existing course offerings. Assists in developing summer course materials.
• Serves as liaison with Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Office of Science and other educational agencies, employers' associations, unions, community groups, post-secondary education, and other organizations.
• Provides parents with strategies to assist students with enhancing science, environmental literacy, and outdoor education competencies to ensure all students are future-ready. Participates in and/or directs student clubs related to areas of responsibility. 
• Partners with colleagues to provide leadership and professional development for instructional staff to assist them with innovative approaches to instruction. 
• Collaborates with the Department of Curriculum Innovation and Design and multiple central office services to design integrated strategies to target individual school needs. 
• Responsible for area-specific budget; prepares required reports, analyzes budget requests; recommends allocation of grant funds according to need; prepares requests for state and federal program approval and funding; maintains files, records, and/or expenditure controls.
• Supports school-based leaders in relation to providing support to teachers, professional learning communities, curriculum and assessment writing, professional development, selecting materials of instruction, and other duties as assigned.

• Perform other related work as required and directed by the Assistant Superintendent of Network Wrap Around Services. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

Comprehensive knowledge of science, environmental literacy, and outdoor education curriculum, instruction, and assessment; comprehensive knowledge of school district goals and outcomes, procedures, and organization of sound assessment management. Knowledge and ability to lead and coach school-based leaders and teachers on content and topics and aligned formative and summative assessments to improve teaching and learning. Ability to demonstrate strong internal and external support for the NLRSD. Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. Excellent knowledge and understanding of all facets of public school curriculum management operations. Knowledge and understanding of the change process, organizational development, conflict resolution, and facilitation skills. Highly effective organizational and consensus-building skills. Knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures of the NLRSD. Ability to conceptualize, initiate, monitor, and evaluate new and/or current secondary math curricular programs. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Licensed Arkansas Teacher with a background in Science education that meets qualifications and requirements for reciprocity preferred, or is eligible to hold appropriate licensure.  
• Licensed Arkansas Curriculum/Program Administrator (P-12) preferred or is eligible to hold appropriate licensure. 
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in educational administration, supervision, or curriculum and instruction preferred. 
• Have a minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching or related experience as outlined in the job description. 
• Have a minimum of eight (8) years of successful job performance in education including teaching and leadership experience.
• Experience with educational accountability measures including federal education reform efforts, and state and local standards and assessments, knowledge of systemic organizational thinking, organizational leadership, and change management. 
• Experience working in a highly collaborative environment where teamwork, creative problem-solving, and self-motivation are necessary for success. 
• Experience in an urban school district is preferred. 

Skills and Abilities Required:

The following characteristics and physical skills are important for the successful performance of assigned duties. 

Curriculum Leadership Knowledge and Expertise: 

• Knowledge of science in grades Prek-12.
• Knowledge of topics related to the general field of science, environmental literacy, outdoor education, and gifted and talented education. 
• Capable of providing leadership for a vision of comprehensive science, environmental literacy, and outdoor and advanced education. 
• Knowledge of Arkansas Science standards, education theory, developmentally appropriate practices, and math developments. 
• Knowledge of supervisory fundamentals, principles, and trends. 
• Knowledge of state law and district administrative policies and procedures related to job roles and responsibilities. 
• Knowledge of procedures, practices, and methods in planning, evaluating, and designing educational programs and services.
• Fundamentals of public relations theories and techniques in promoting, advertising, and/or informing the public of programs, events, and activities related to roles and responsibilities. 

Work Environment: 

• Work is primarily conducted in an office or school setting.  Prolonged stationary work and attention to desk or computer tasks are required.  This position is cognitively demanding and requires especially well-developed professional social skills and communication skills.  Movement in and about schools and office buildings/grounds is a frequent requirement and the ability to carry or lift items 75 lbs. or less. 

Empathy and Commitment to Cause: 

• Deep commitment to improving student achievement and employee performance.
• Passionately believes that all students can achieve at high levels.
• Demonstrates cultural competence, equity, and a deep understanding of and empathy for issues facing minority and economically disadvantaged families and students requiring special services.

Problem-Solving and Systems Thinking: 

• Understands how various systems and departments interact to achieve district goals.
• Makes decisions using data and technology.
• Takes initiative to solve problems and create stakeholder buy-in.
• Identifies and prioritizes mission-critical issues with alignment of people, time, and resources.
• Offer innovative solutions to seemingly intractable challenges.
• Exhibits a strong focus on goals and results. Sets clear metrics for success.
• Removes barriers or obstacles that make it difficult for principals to achieve their goals and ensures that school leaders have the resources they need to succeed.
• Demonstrates excellent execution and project management skills, including attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to balance the big picture with detailed steps to reach the end goal, and ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines.

Leadership Skills: 

• Motivates, inspires and moves other adults to action to achieve ambitious goals.
• Skilled at re-envisioning, building, and managing a team, especially in a time of growth and change; excellent at identifying talent and taking advantage of each person’s skills and contribution to the team effort.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with individuals and groups.
• Moves groups to consensus and resolves conflicts. Exhibits willingness to have difficult conversations.
• Builds coalitions and works collaboratively with diverse stakeholders at all levels, including but not limited to district personnel, students, families, communities, and/or advocacy groups.
• Establishes clear expectations, deliverables, and deadlines.
• Sets clear agendas and facilitates effective meetings.
• Ability to train, supervise, and evaluate staff from different cultural backgrounds and skill sets.
• Exhibits transformational and servant leadership characteristics in daily work. 

Additional Responsibilities:

• Performs such other tasks and assumes such other roles and responsibilities as the deputy superintendent and or their designee may assign.