Job Details 

Title: Deputy Director, The STEM Foundation and Career Connect Washington-SE WA Regional Network

Reports To: Executive Director, The STEM Foundation 

Supervisory 

Employment Type: Salary

Salary Range: $70,000 -$120,000, commensurate with skills and experience

Full-Time

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Summary: 

The Deputy Director position serves as a primary point of contact for fostering imagination, leadership, and inspiration in STEM education and career-connected learning in the Mid-Columbia region of Washington State. The Deputy Director works closely with the Executive Director, Foundation staff, and a broad array of constituents– from business to K-12 and higher education, to communities, and to labor and elected officials. In addition to overseeing the Foundation’s daily operations, the Deputy Director will support key local, regional and state-supported initiatives, including those led by Career Connect Washington (CCW), Washington STEM, and the Mid-Columbia STEM Nexus.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

The successful candidate will support the Executive Director (ED) in providing leadership and support to meet the Foundation’s vision:  Mid-Columbia STEM 2030.

• 70% of Mid-Columbia students will earn post-secondary credentials by age 26.
• Our STEM-proficient workforce will be nearly 100% homegrown and include a high percentage of groups typically underrepresented in STEM careers.
• Our schools–elementary through university–will be regarded as national models for business, labor, and community involvement, as well as centers for innovative STEM learning.

The Deputy Director will carry out the core mission of the Foundation by:

• managing the development of a regional Career-Connected Learning system, including cultivating and supporting CCW Program Builder and Launch programs, statewide sector intermediaries, and other Foundation programs that expose youth to career pathways, especially youth furthest from opportunity;
• providing leadership to expand registered apprenticeship programs throughout the region; 
• maintaining an unwavering focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in all activities and in program development;
• developing strategic partnerships involving business and community-based organizations to leverage resources and opportunities for students; 
• developing and managing systems for ever-expanding career-connected experiences such as job shadows, work-site learning, mock interviews, internships, worksite tours, teacher externships, and other career-exploration opportunities. 
• participating in planning events and other convening.

In overseeing operational functions, the Deputy Director will:

• ensure that the Foundation maintains full compliance with the laws, regulations, policies, grant terms, and foundation written policies; through monitoring and internal assessment;
• monitor and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of program offerings, including student participation and staff performance; 
• collaborate with postsecondary learning institutions, including 2- and 4-year colleges and apprenticeship programs to articulate and increase opportunities for dual-credit and industry-recognized certificates and certifications; 
• take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities. 

In supporting Foundation growth and sustainability, the Deputy Director will seek grants and funding opportunities to enhance Foundation initiatives, managing the proposal process after coordination with the ED, and establishing grant budget tracking, periodic and end-of-grant reporting requirements, should the grant be awarded to the Foundation.

Other administrative responsibilities of the position include generating written communications as directed in a timely and competent manner; supervising full-time and part-time employees and consultants as assigned; and performing emerging projects and tasks as outlined by the ED.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

Ability to work independently, as a team member and as a leader, making sound judgments within the parameters of the position. 

Knowledge of and commitment to the practices of equity, diversity and inclusion, especially as they relate to students and community members furthest from opportunity.

Knowledge of various methods of strategy development and execution, and program development and evaluation.

Ability to adapt quickly and flexibly to changing priorities and business decisions.

Skill in analyzing complex information and making recommendations within a range of options. 

Ability to think creatively and analytically, and execute resulting work-products that reflect that process. 

Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with Foundation staff, aligned boards and committees, public officials, the general public, and representatives or other agencies. and facilitate group discussions.

Ability to meet new challenges with an open mind and an optimistic response, providing honest feedback for improvement when needed.

Skill in producing high-quality work with strong attention to detail and accuracy. 

Skill in effectively managing/coordinating simultaneous projects, and successfully prioritizing multiple tasks. 

Ability to solve problems and make sound business decisions. 

Skill in performing multiple technical tasks at an expert level, based on experience and insight. 

Demonstrated knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules and regulations. 

Ability to prepare and deliver presentations in a clear concise and articulate manner.

Ability to read technical information, analyze and organize data as well as to create/compose documents, prepare records and reports.

Exceptional skills in oral and written communication. 

General (or Universal) Competencies: 

Teamwork – Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; gives and welcomes appropriate feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests.

Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; conserves organizational resources. 

Computer Skills – To perform this job successfully, possesses working knowledge of computer operating systems, business software (MS-Office), web-based information access and research (Google), virtual-meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom, MS-Teams); social-media platforms, calendaring software and electronic project-management tools.

Customer Service – Maintains professional demeanor when dealing with difficult or emotional situations; responds promptly to staff, student and public needs; solicits feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance.

Mathematical Skills – Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals, construct a spreadsheet in Excel to perform these functions, and analyze resulting data

Interpersonal Skills – Keeps emotions under control; remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment. 

Oral and Written Communication – Listens and requests clarification when needed; responds well to questions; participates in meetings; reads and comprehends written and verbal instructions; writes clearly and informatively.

Professionalism – Engages others in a tactful manner; reacts appropriately under pressure, given the circumstance; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.

Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own and subordinates’ work to ensure quality. 

Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly. 

Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time; arrives at meetings and appointments on time. 

Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; takes responsibility for own actions; meets commitments; follows policies and procedures. Ability to work remotely and/or in STEM Foundation office space.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands: 

The environmental factors described here are representative of those that may be present in the work place while the employee performs the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions requires the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some climbing and balancing; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 70% sitting, 15% walking and 15% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations, a generally hazard free environment, and in varying atmospheric conditions. Work environments during outreach events may include businesses, school districts, and industry worksites. 

Ability to attend occasional evening and weekend meetings or workshops, and handle fluctuations in workload.

Education and Experience: 

A Bachelor’s Degree is required, and an advanced degree is preferred.  Experience working with K-12 or higher education systems is preferred.

A minimum of five years of related experience is required.

Bilingual in Spanish is a plus!

Clearances: 

Washington State Patrol (WSP) and FBI Criminal History Background clearance is required.

Certificates: 

Valid driver’s license required (must be able to fulfill all traveling requirements of this position, including possessing and maintaining a valid license and automobile insurance, when using a personal vehicle for STEM Foundation/region business).

Application Procedure: Please forward a cover letter, resume and salary requirements to:   careers@stemlearning.org.  No phone calls, please.  Due to the anticipated high volume of applications, we will only be contacting those selected by the review committee for interviews.

The STEM Foundation provides equal educational and employment opportunity without regard to race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, gender or sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Foundation procedures comply with all applicable state and federal laws. 

All Employees are required to furnish proof of identity and employment authorization status. 

The Foundation is committed to providing a drug-free, tobacco-free environment for all persons–students, community, and staff.

Any offer of employment with The Foundation is on a conditional basis pending the successful completion of the background checks outlined above.