Career Center

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. 

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

The Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics has an outstanding opportunity for a Deputy Director, Space Grant to join their team.

The Deputy Director, Space Grant (payroll title: Associate Director - Program Operations) is a member of the leadership team for Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium (WSGC), part of the NASA-funded National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, housed within the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics (A&A) at the University of Washington.  As a member of leadership, the employee will work to establish programs that increase the participation and engagement of diverse groups in the development of STEM knowledge and practice. The Deputy Director serves as Key Personnel on all Space Grant proposals and is responsible for selection and distribution of scholarships, fellowships, and NASA internships. The Deputy Director will work statewide and within other Space Grant funded states in the creation of STEM academic programs and in establishing close ties with students and partners from historically excluded communities.

This position reports to the A&A department administrator and will oversee supervision of two positions and student employees. The Deputy Director is responsible for day-to-day operations of WSGC as well as facilitating long-term planning in partnership with the Director and other Deputy Directors. The Deputy Director will work with the leadership team to strengthen STEM education pathways in Washington State and throughout the Pacific Northwest through recruitment, development, and sustainability of funding sources, and through collaborating with members and partners drawn from all levels of educational institutions. The Deputy Director will assume lead responsibility for ensuring delivery of a portfolio of STEM programs.

POSITION PURPOSE
Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) is a NASA-funded program. UW was one of the first Space Grant universities in the country and remains the Consortium’s lead institution in Washington. WSGC is now composed of more than 15 institutions: universities, community colleges, private industry, educational organizations, and museums.  The Deputy Director will help to expand the boundaries, definitions, and practices of inclusive STEM education related to problem-based learning, community and place-based research, team-based work, and an expanded focus on equity and social justice. The Deputy Director will aid in the creation of a state, regional, and national environment that supports and enhances a diverse student body throughout the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. In addition, the Deputy Director will develop federal, state, and nonprofit proposals, working in collaboration with other Northwest organizations interested in increasing diversity in STEM fields. These proposals will expand the influence of the NASA-funded program and leverage additional resources to be distributed through these nationally recognized programs based at the University of Washington.

To this end, the Deputy Director will oversee development and collection of all necessary documentation to secure the initial grants and to produce all reporting required by the funders. The Deputy Director will meet with agency program managers and with state and federal legislature to ensure program compliance and longevity. This effort will ensure continuation of existing funding, develop new sources and opportunities for growth of the program, and expand the impact in STEM undergraduate education, especially for underrepresented minorities. The Deputy Director will also work with WSGC staff, Consortium members, and partners statewide to implement funded education programs to ensure project goals are met. The Deputy Director will also supervise staff at the University of Washington and manage partner relationships to ensure program participants are meeting their desired education goals as part of a strategy to meet NASA goals that seek to ensure retention in STEM education at 90% or above.

The Deputy Director will build a cohesive relationship with faculty, staff, and academic leaders within the UW, as well as with outside community groups, educational institutions, and local and state governments and agencies, with the goal of working together to recruit and retain students to improve the diversity of the STEM workforce.  Because WSGC funds undergraduate scholarships, internships, and student team projects at UW in a wide range of STEM disciplines, this position is central to the academic experience of undergraduates across a significant portion of the UW’s colleges and schools — the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Engineering, the College of the Environment, and the iSchool.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program management for WSGC internal and external operations (50%)

Develop and strengthen connections with National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program network, NASA Office of STEM Engagement, and statewide educational institutions and community partners.

Oversee all internal operations including financial, communications, student affairs, and outreach.

Manage and build relationships both with internal and external partners to ensure WSGC is engaging in best practices for recruiting and retaining students historically excluded from STEM careers.

Implement program improvements based on evaluation results, research-based best practices, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles, and observed student needs.

Collaborate with departments across UW to enhance ongoing efforts to recruit and retain outstanding students, increase the presence of historically underrepresented students in UW, and foster an environment that encourages the success of every student.

Coordinate and oversee all special events and regular Space Grant programming.

Manage process for delivery of all student awards and fellowships including application processes, award management, student programming, and evaluation.

Ensure all fiscal tasks are completed in compliance with UW, State, federal, and sponsor requirements, in partnership with the A&A fiscal team.

Oversee the budget to ensure timely use of funds, adjust resources, and manage sponsor re-budgets as needed.

Maintain compliance with sponsor data regulations, FERPA, UW Records Retention, and other applicable policies.

Grant and program development (20%)   

Act as project manager for all Space Grant funding proposals including augmentations, competitive renewals, and competitive projects.

Oversee grant requirements including sponsor requirements for proposals, sponsor and UW requirements for reporting, and close out requirements for awards.

Develop new programs based on statewide trends and STEM education best practices in response to funding requests, draft new proposals accordingly.

Implement program-wide evaluation and other programs mandated by sponsor.

Maintain knowledge of Consortium and student needs to be addressed with additional funding from NASA or private sponsors.

Partner with advancement and other relevant parties to raise gift funds to support the WSGC activities.

Space Grant Staff supervision and development (10%)

Supervise two permanent staff and temporary undergraduate and/or graduate students.

Provide or facilitate adequate training and coaching resources for all staff and student workers to maintain a high level of multicultural competence.

Serve as a consultant for faculty and staff development plans across the Consortium and A&A.

Develop and implement strategies for improved workplace and academic culture, with a focus on issues of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and safety for students, staff, and collaborators.

DEI Officer (10%)

Serve as department diversity officer.

Participate and lead as appropriate special projects and initiatives.

Serve on committees and working groups both internal to the department, within the larger college and campus community as well as regional and national groups as needed.

Design, consult, and train on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

Event compliance and youth programs oversight (5%)

Manage compliance with APS 10.13 and serve as department liaison with the Office of the Youth Protection Coordinator.

Coordinate and track training and compliance for WSGC events and programs on topics including but not limited to safety, facilities use, Youth Program Compliance, tribal sovereignty, and non-inventorial equipment.

Other Duties (5%)

Participate and lead as appropriate special projects and initiatives.

Serve on committees and working groups both internal to the department, within the larger college and campus community as well as regional and national groups as needed.

Design, consult, and train on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Masters degree in education, public policy, or other related field.

4-5 years experience working in STEM education, STEM outreach, or educational program management

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Working knowledge of issues affecting the postsecondary landscape and career placement for historically excluded populations.

Commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; dedicated to building programs focused on educational equity.

Demonstrated ability handling a high volume of diverse tasks, under deadlines, with consistent accuracy and attention to detail.

Demonstrated experience in working on diverse groups and teams; respects, values, and contributes to A&A’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Demonstrated ability to maintain harmonious working relationships and effectively address complex and sensitive administrative issues.

Demonstrated ability to identify, interpret, and follow policies and procedures (institutional, academic, federal, state, and other).

Ability to successfully organize, plan, and execute small and large-scale projects.

Ability to exercise independent judgment, manage competing priorities, and properly allocate resources to ensure project completion.

Ability to manage records and perform basic data management tasks; experience maintaining and managing data in MS Excel.

Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Visionary and highly collaborative leadership skills, with an in-depth understanding of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion issues and opportunities in postsecondary STEM education.

Successful history of managing collaborative working relationships with faculty, staff, and academic leaders as well as community groups.

Experience managing a network of collaborative partners.

Experience with K-12 STEM outreach.

Application Process:   The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.