Science Systems and Applications Inc (SSAI) is seeking an Education and Outreach Specialist to support a unique program at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). This is a full-time contractor position with benefits, working alongside NASA civil servants and other NASA contractors as part of an interagency partnership to advance climate science communication among informal educators. Domestic travel is a requirement for this position. Travel is expected to be approximately 10% annually.

The most effective conversations about climate interpretation are happening at regional scales. Climate impacts are unfolding differently in each region, while solutions take different shapes in each community. This role offers the opportunity to train and nurture a growing national network of highly effective regional teams, each of which conduct specialized climate communication workshops for interpreters (like park rangers) and educators, using the latest NASA climate science.

Under the direction of the lead, and working in collaboration with the partnership team, the selected individual will spearhead efforts to:

* Recruit prospective teams of regional climate communication leaders around the nation;

* Design, develop, and deliver in-person courses and webinars to train regional leaders on the partnership's standardized professional development methodology;

* Mentor the community of practice of regional leaders in their work to develop climate communication courses for interpreters and educators that align with the partnership's methodology;

* Interface with the program evaluator to track the effectiveness of the regional courses, adjusting the training for regional leaders as necessary.

In addition, the selected individual will assist the team to:

* Develop climate change communication professional development events (virtual and in-person).

* Research and provide relevant science content to the program's community of practice via the mailing list;

* Facilitate collaborative work on science and science communication/education efforts between NASA and land management agencies;

* Devise and implement practices to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and access at both the national and regional levels of the program's work.

Required Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree and a minimum of 2 years of experience in adult education/professional development for interpreters, place-based informal educators, or science communicators; or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Knowledge of adult learning theory and instructional design, such as Knowles' Adult Learning Theory, ADDIE, and the Successive Approximation Model (SAM).
• Experience in designing and leading professional development for interpreters or educators (workshops, courses, webinars, etc.), particularly on science and communication topics.
• Experience incorporating diverse perspectives into professional development.
• Demonstrated skill and ability working collaboratively with team members on a complex program/project.
• Ability to work independently from project leadership on multiple ongoing projects.
• Strong skills in interpersonal, oral, and written communication.
• Ability to successfully pass a background investigation and obtain a NASA badge.
• US citizenship.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in instructional design, science, recreation, or a related discipline.
• Experience cultivating a community of practice.
• Experience engaging underserved populations.
• Tribal cultural awareness and/or cultural sensitivity training.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating between organizations, especially a combination of federal and nonfederal land management agencies.
• Knowledge of and experience with the National Park Service (NPS) and/or National Association for Interpretation (NAI) professional interpretation methodology, to include completion of one or more of the following: NAI Certified Interpretive Guide training, NAI Certified Interpretive Trainer training, an Earth to Sky course, an NPS Fundamentals of Interpretation or Interpreting Climate Change course, NPS Audience-Centered Experience training, NNOCCI Crash Course.
• Experience in developing and offering interpretive, education, or public outreach products and programs about Earth science.
• Experience overseeing complex projects or coordinating a team to accomplish project goals.
• Knowledge of Earth/Earth Systems Science.
• Knowledge of NASA science and outreach products

EOE, including disability/vets

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands to touch, handle or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk and hear and occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.