MOSTEC Science Writing & Communication Instructor (Apply Now)

POSITION OVERVIEW: 
The MIT Office of Engineering Outreach Programs (OEOP) in the School of Engineering boasts a 40+ year history of providing engaging and rigorous science and engineering education enrichment for  over 360 middle and high school students a year from our local community and across the country. Our mission focuses on making science and engineering careers more accessible to students from under-served and underrepresented communities. 

The MOSTEC Science Writing & Communication Instructor plays a critical role in working towards the program’s goal of developing a cohort of “thinking minds” equipped to be successful in technical fields and at the country’s top colleges and universities. The Instructor is responsible for refining and implementing an Online course curriculum related science writing and communication. Instructors will maintain an open and positive learning environment that promotes active learning. Instructors will implement engaging course materials that will challenge all students. Throughout the program, instructors are expected to assess student performance/academic needs and provide resources to help promote student’s success.  At the end of the program, instructors will document course materials and write narrative evaluations of each student. Instructors provide guidance and mentorship, playing a critical role in each student’s experience.  
 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Instructional

• Implement an engaging Online curriculum, including working with a cohort of Science Writing instructors to update the pre-existing syllabus, define course goals and outcomes, determine weekly readings, videos, discussions, and assignments.
• Grade and provide individual feedback on all assignments on a weekly basis.
• Collaborate virtually with the science writing instructional team to update, refine, and finalize the curriculum.
• Plan and hold weekly synchronous class time via video conference for a minimum of 2 hours/week between the hours of 5-9pm EST from late June – early August.
• Hold Online office hours via video chat for a minimum of 2 hours/week from late June - early August.
• Write and submit narrative evaluations for each student by end of employment.
• Document and submit all course materials to the OEOP by end of employment.
• Create an open, positive learning environment that encourages students to ask questions and to be active participants.
• Set and hold students accountable to class values and expectations.
• Provide students with the resources and guidance necessary for learning the fundamental concepts in the course.
• Assess student ability and growth in order to challenge and support each student academically.
• Track student performance and concerns and update MOSTEC Leadership team weekly.
• Collect feedback from students throughout the program to assess effectiveness.
• Be available and responsive via email or slack to answer student questions regarding course material.

Administrative and Programmatic

• Help foster a supportive, safe, and positive environment that builds a sense of community among program participants.
• Participate in virtual mandatory staff meetings, trainings and key special events
• Provide a mature influence and ensure that participants are meeting program expectations/processes and Institute guidelines for programs with minors
• Mentor students and provide advice about successfully navigating MOSTEC experience
• Help implement student support and improvement plans and check-in with students around their progress.
• Keep the MOSTEC Leadership team informed of key incidents within 24 hours of occurrence.
• Report urgent or sensitive student concerns immediately to MOSTEC Leadership. Assist with urgent matters concerning program participants as needed.
• Reply in a timely fashion to correspondence from MOSTEC Leadership team.
• Promptly identify and respond to students’ needs for information, especially in regards to student concerns.
• Complete pre-, mid-, and post-program evaluation surveys on program experience
• Report to the MOSTEC Program Administrator and work collaboratively with other MOSTEC and OEOP staff including the Executive Director and Manager of Programs.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate experience preferred.
• Detailed knowledge and strong background in field related to course.
• Ability to work a part-time, remote schedule of up to 20 hours per week. Other MIT employment may impact eligibility for the job due to potential conflicts.
• Ability to host weekly synchronous classes between the hours of 5-9pm EST and attend designated required events, some of which may fall on a weekend or during evenings.
• Strong desire to teach and mentor high school students.
• Teaching experience preferred, but not required.
• Experience with high-achieving students from diverse backgrounds preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Position requires satisfactory completion of background check
• Familiarity with and willingness to utilize Google Drive, Google Classroom, Slack, and similar cloud-based applications for data storage/sharing and Online communication and instruction preferred
• Experience utilizing web conferencing and related applications such as Zoom; experience with Online learning/instruction preferred
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including supporting students with intersecting marginalized identities.

The MIT Office of Engineering Outreach Programs adheres to MIT’s nondiscrimination policy: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. The Institute prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other Institute administered programs and activities; the Institute may, however, favor US citizens or residents in 
admissions and financial aid. * 
 

* *To comply with regulations by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), the principal duties in job descriptions must be essential to the job. To identify essential functions, focus on the purpose and the result of the duties rather than the manner in which they are performed. The following definition applies: a job function is essential if removal of that function would fundamentally change the job.