We seek a motivated, creative individual with elementary school experience who shares our mission of promoting equity through the development and support of science instructional materials that center the interests and concerns of Black, Latinx, Native American, female and gender nonbinary, neurodiverse, and emerging multilingual students and their communities. The Curriculum Development Specialist (CDS) will work with a multi-institutional team to develop science curriculum materials for elementary school that reflect the Next Generation Science Standards.

The CDS will lead and participate in a team developing curriculum materials for grades 3-5. The development process for each unit will include: a) designing a storyline connected to real-world applications of the target science idea; b) identifying appropriate science resources such as data sets, videos, and photos that can support student learning; c) writing teacher-facing and student-facing materials; d) revising materials based on external review and on field test feedback from students and teachers; and e) final production. As a unit lead, the CDS will work closely with other curriculum design team members and independent contractors in this development, coordinating the work of the team as well as participating in writing materials. The CDS will also work with other unit leads to ensure coherence and consistency across the K-5 program in pedagogical approach and teacher supports. This position requires candidates to have expertise in the development of instructional materials for science as well as the interests, social identities, and challenges facing marginalized populations in formal and informal educational settings in the US. We recognize that both formal study and practical experience can be valuable sources of this expertise.

Specific Responsibilities:

• As unit lead, works with principal investigator, grade-band lead, and other staff to develop a scope and sequence and unit specifications for a new NGSS-aligned elementary school curriculum program, grades 3-5.
• As unit lead, coordinates staff writers and contractors developing lesson materials that make up the unit; provides feedback and guidance on lesson materials work products; communicates with other project leads to ensure coherence across the program.
• As unit lead, works with other unit leads, staff, and contractors to develop teacher- and student-facing lesson materials that promote equity, and revise materials based on data from field trials and external review.
• As unit lead, works with professional development design team to assist in design of professional learning materials for the relevant units.
• As a writer for a second unit, works with that unit’s lead and design team to develop teacher- and student-facing lesson materials that promote equity, and revise materials based on data from field trials and external review.
• As unit lead and/or writer: Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in elementary education, science education, or science content area.
• At least 3 years of experience teaching elementary students, including science.
• At least 2 years of experience using that are designed with the Next Generation Science Storylines, OpenSciEd, or similar instructional approaches based on the Next Generation Science Standards.
• At least 2 years of experience in a professional leadership role, such as a building leadership team, professional learning community, or curriculum development group.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Understanding of three-dimensional, phenomenon-driven and problem-driven science teaching and learning as called for by the National Research Council’s Framework for K-12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards
• Proficiency in using collaborative digital tools
• Interpersonal skills in managing teams and collaborating with others across a variety of contexts
• Ability to manage complex work and achieve specified goals under time and resource constraints
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive experience developing instructional materials for elementary school science, including experience using the Next Generation Science Storylines, OpenSciEd, or similar instructional model
• Science content and science teaching (pedagogical content) knowledge as called for by the Next Generation Science Standards
• Experience designing for and/or working with student populations that have been historically underserved in education and underrepresented in science

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• A commitment to equity and social justice in education
• Expertise in research-based science instructional practices
• Expertise in the development of instructional materials and educational practices that are equitable and inclusive of students from populations historically underserved in science and in educational settings
• Expertise in supporting emergent multilingual learners

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.