Senior Specialist, Grants and Engagement

The Society is seeking a Senior Specialist, Grants and Engagement to support the Science Education Programs Department. This position reports to the Director of Outreach and Equity Programs, while also working in collaboration with the Society’s Executive Office. This is a non-exempt position. 

The Senior Specialist, Grants and Engagement develops, executes, and refines innovative and equitable grant making opportunities to support STEM education, including overseeing the Society’s STEM Action Grants, STEM Research Grants, Affiliated Fair Grants, and Education Outreach Day School Funding.  Additionally, the Senior Specialist works to engage STEM-focused nonprofits and other institutions in the Society’s work, including at Education Outreach Day at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. 

The STEM Action Grant program aims to bolster and support community-driven nonprofit organizations that are working to enhance the public’s understanding of science and to increase participation of underrepresented populations in STEM fields. Since 2016 the STEM Action Grant program has awarded over $828,000 to a total of 113 organizations wanting to improve access to STEM education.  Organizations can apply for funding of up to $5,000.

STEM Research Grants provide support to middle and high school teachers engaging their students in authentic scientific research. Over 6 years, $775,000 has been awarded to 367 teachers. Priority consideration is given to schools that support students from low-income communities and demographics underrepresented in STEM fields.  Teachers can apply for up to $5,000 to purchase specialized equipment or $1,000 in preselected equipment.

Affiliated Fair Grants provide support to science fairs affiliated with the Society’s competitions to support projects and initiatives to improve the reach and inclusivity of their science fair.  This includes efforts to improve the overall user experience through infrastructure updates and initiatives to support historically under-served populations.

Education Outreach Day brings thousands of local students to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair to meet the 1500+ international finalists and engage in hands-on STEM activities hosted by non-profits, government agencies, and sponsors.  These organizations include some of the Society’s STEM Action Grantees.  Schools can apply for funding for reimbursement of substitute teachers and transportation to the event and are selected based upon financial need and students served. 

Responsibilities

  • Manage the overall administration of STEM Action Grants, STEM Research Grants, Affiliated Fair Grants, and Education Outreach Day School Funding, including application and selection processes, grant payouts, grantee reporting, program sponsor reporting, data collection and analysis, and program improvements.
  • Continually revise the program logic models, goals, and grant-making strategies to align with the Society’s strategic plan, incorporating current best practices in philanthropic giving and maximizing inclusion in program processes and impact.
  • Develop partnership and outreach opportunities to organizations that broaden the pool of applicants and deepen the relationships with grant partners and participants from broad and diverse constituencies across the country.
  • Lead virtual professional development sessions to increase grantee knowledge and capacity to support their audiences and to facilitate grantee networking to build an inclusion-focused community of practice.
  • Gather research teacher feedback on low-cost lab equipment that lends itself well to student research and select equipment for packages awarded through STEM Research Grants. Foster relationships with vendors, securing discounts when possible, and coordinate with Events and Operations Department on ordering and shipping equipment. 
  • Coordinate with Communications team on award announcements, social media, and blogs, collecting additional information, quotes, photos, and stories to illustrate the impact of the program.
  • Coordinate with Advancement team, providing language and statistics to support funding proposals and facilitating sponsor stewardship.
  • Support the participation of STEM Action Grantees and sponsors in Education Outreach Day at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Oversee the application, selection, and administration of school funding for substitute teachers and transportation to this event. 
  • Support the Science Education Programs Department overall by assisting with occasional mailings, processing of online applications, and staffing in-person events, including the Society’s student competitions.
  • Represent the Society at community events and build awareness for our work.
  • Attends all education programs, which requires at least 3 weeks of travel annually.
  • Completes other projects and duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Experience in grant making in the nonprofit sector
  • Knowledge of theories on social impact and philanthropy
  • Experience in professional development delivery and/or community-building
  • Experience leading online application and selection processes
  • Experience in program evaluation
  • Affinity for the mission of the Society for Science
  • Commitment to diversity, accessibility, and inclusion
  • Outstanding and effective interpersonal skills; along with strong communication skills both verbal and written
  • Self-motivated, organized, efficient and process oriented
  • Strong work ethic with the ability to work well under pressure in a dynamic environment
  • Understanding of and interest in systems and system development
  • Familiarity with data gathering, management, and analysis
  • Familiarity with KPIs and program evaluation  
  • Knowledge and experience in Microsoft Suite – Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc

Desirable

  • Experience with outreach programs for students and teachers, especially related to STEM
  • Experience as a Program Manager
  • STEM teaching experience
  • Experience in data analysis and visualization
  • Multilingual, especially in Spanish, or having a lived experience similar to groups underrepresented in STEM
  • International experience

Required Education and Experience

  • BA/BS degree in any discipline, minimum of 7 years of work experience 

Position Type and Expected Hours

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday during normal hours of the Society. The normal business hours of the Society are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, with core hours of 10:00a.m.–3:00p.m.EST.

Salary

$65,000 to $75,000; salary is commensurate with experience.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee usually works in an office setting. Our office is located in Washington, D.C. near the Dupont Circle and Farragut North Metro stations. The Society is operating on a hybrid work schedule.     

Physical Demands

This role’s work involves remaining in a stationary position most of the time in front of a computer, using a keyboard, mouse, and telephone. It also involves regularly operating a computer and other office equipment, occasionally moving about the work site to access file cabinets office equipment and communicating or exchanging information with co-workers and other individuals in person or electronically.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Society for Science has mandated the COVID-19 vaccine for employees coming into the office and attending Society events. Exceptions to the vaccine requirement may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. 

How to Apply

Submit a professional resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Please apply through Applicant Pro: https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/societyforscience/jobs/3289594-560497

The Society values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

EEO Statement

The Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Society for Science is committed to equal employment opportunity. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, the Society does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis, including but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, national origin, disability, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, age and/or any other categories protected by the laws of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover every duty, responsibility and activity that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

 

 

About Society for Science

Founded in 1921, the Society for Science (Society), is a champion for science, dedicated to expanding scientific literacy, effective STEM education, and scientific research. Through its world-class competitions, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, and its award-winning magazines, Science News and Science News Explores, the Society, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization, is focused on promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement: to inform, education, and inspire.