The Learning in the Making (LITM) Creative Architect is responsible for holding the vision of LITM, building and maintaining connections with possible guest hosts, and the content development & production of LITM episodes and materials. Learning in the Making is an online video series designed to support both educators and families with accessible hands-on learning experiences and support remote learning in various environments while centering the work and teachings of BIPOC makers. The LITM Creative Architect reports to the Director of Learning.
Roles and Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities
Connection
- Own outreach for LITM related work: build connections with networks of educators of color; create and maintain a system to recruit guest hosts; maintain relationships with guest hosts; and share co-hosting opportunities on social media.
- Support the communications team in promoting LITM by uploading content to social media & providing content for blog posts.
- Coordinate with the Director of Storytelling to align the posting of the blogs, episodes, and project guides with social media outreach.
Content & Production
- Refine the vision and goals of LITM, in collaboration with the Learning Team; aligned to values, core areas of work, and capacity; and building on past work.
- Publish episode bundles monthly (3 per quarter/12 per year). Responsibilities include:
- Working with co-hosts to generate ideas around the topic of the episode, plan the episode, and film the episode.
- Editing LITM episodes in post-production.
- Writing and posting project guides to accompany each episode.
- Creating an ongoing small bank of videos for posting when a gap appears in the schedule.
- In collaboration with the Communications team, create theme-based highlight reels. Themes could include: mindfulness, reflection questions, thinking routines, documentation prompts, subject-themed, vocabulary or teaching moves
- Facilitate internal Maker Ed watch parties for staff. Coordinate with the Operations Manager to provide materials to staff members.
- Gather input and feedback from Maker Ed community and viewers to support reflection and iteration of LITM
- Collaborate with the Director of Learning and other learning team members to ensure internal input, feedback, and alignment with content generation across the organization
Content, Impact, Communications, Partnerships & Development
- Create and implement outreach, recruitment, and marketing plans for LITM, in collaboration with the Director of Storytelling
- Develop and implement an evaluation plan for LITM, in collaboration with the Evaluation & Scalability Manager
- Cultivate relationships with external partners & participate in partnership conversations that relate to LITM & give input into partnership direction and participation
- Participate in organizational work, including sprints, support squads, and whole group visioning
- Support Maker Ed learning experiences as a supporting facilitator with the other Learning Team members
- Share the work of Maker Ed externally, including conference presentations and other events
Qualifications
- 3-5 years minimum experience working as educator facilitator
- Centered equity, justice, and liberation in their previous work;
- Management and/or leadership experience;
- Familiarity with Maker Ed’s learning pedagogy (hands-on, liberatory, anti-racist learning practices). Even better if you have some experience creating your own maker-centered learning experiences and activities!
- Excellent collaboration skills
- Experience with video editing and streaming programs (iMovie, Premiere Pro, OBS)
- Proficiency with project management software like Asana.
- Experience working with online accounting software (Quicken, Xero, Plooto, Bill Pay, etc.);
- Experience administering payroll and benefits
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency using spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel.
- Proficiency using Google Suite applications.
Nice to have:
- Design experience, an artistic eye, and a willingness to be creative.
- Some experience in nonprofit fundraising or partnership development.
Accessibility & Work Environment
Our national office, “The Community Studio,” is located in Berkeley, California. Maker Ed staff work on a hybrid schedule, with some staff fully remote and some staff in the office 1-3 days a week. We are open to this being a remote position, but we have a preference for candidates who would also be working on Pacific time or are within driving distance from our office. We are also interested in meeting candidates who might be interested in moving to the Bay Area once the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
- Requires sitting, talking, and listening for 4+ hours per day. An average of 4-5 hours per day will be spent at a computer using a keyboard. Reaching with hands and arms is necessary. Certain situations may require lifting items up to 20 pounds. Position requires the ability to travel by car or plane for required local and national travel.
- Work performed in the Berkeley-area office offers closed door offices with natural light and windows to fresh air, as well as an outdoor seating and lounging area in our back garden.
- Staff who need or choose to work in the office must show proof of vaccination. Maker Ed maintains safety protocols for mask wearing, social distancing, and cleaning while in the office.
- Occasional local SF Bay Area travel may be required for this position.
- COVID – 19 Vaccine Policy: In accordance with Maker Ed’s duty and commitment to prioritize the health and safety of employees and provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, employees are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This policy applies to all employees [including temporary employees and contractors] who will interact with the public and/or co-workers. We adopted this policy to safeguard the health of our employees and their families, our partners and visitors, and the community at large from COVID-19. This policy complies with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the California Department of Public Health, the Alameda County health department and all applicable state and local health orders.
How to Apply
Visit https://makered.org/get-involved/careers/apply/ to submit your resume, cover letter, and a sample lesson. The application process will include an initial remote conversation (via Zoom or phone) with one Maker Ed staff, a remote interview (via Zoom) that includes submitting work on a sample project, and a final remote interview (via Zoom).
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 10, 2022.
Details and Logistics
This is a full-time position, which is currently four days a week. This schedule may return to a five-day work week.
The base salary for this position is $50,000. In addition, we offer 100% employer paid health, vision, and dental coverage for employees and dependents are covered with a $25 monthly co-pay. In addition, we match requirement contributions up to 5% with flexible investment opportunities to help you manage your personal financial planning.
We offer these supports to promote work – life balance:
- Paid time off: vacation; holidays; sick days (if you, a partner, family member are sick) and mental health wellness time.
- We take 3 weeks of collective rest each year: 1 week in the summer and 2 weeks in December.
About Maker Ed
Maker Ed is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating more opportunities for all young people to develop confidence, creativity, and interest in science, technology, engineering, math, art, and learning as a whole through making. Through its support of educators and communities, Maker Ed plays a national leadership role in both broadening access to and deepening the impact of meaningful making and learning experiences for youth.
Learn more about who we are and what we do at MakerEd.org.
Maker Education Initiative is an independent 501c3 and “at-will,” equal opportunity employer. Maker Ed is committed to equity as an organizational priority and we strongly encourage applicants from a diversity of backgrounds and from communities most impacted by an unjust education system. Employees shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity (including pregnancy and/or gender expression), color, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application. Maker Ed is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from candidates of color.
Our Vision
We believe maker-centered learning has the power to transform the educational experience for every child, and we imagine a future in which all children––regardless of class, gender, race, ability, or geography––have equitable access to learning experiences that support the development of their own agency and problem solving dispositions as they become lifelong change-makers.
Our Mission
The mission of Maker Ed is to harness the potential of making to transform teaching and learning.
Maker Ed’s Values
We are a values driven organization, and believe that in order to do our work effectively, we must model the practices and values inherent in the work we do. Our values drive our decision making, programs, and the learning experiences we hope educators will shape for children when they engage in making.
- Equity. We believe maker education must ensure that every child gets what they need to develop creativity, knowledge, and skills for life.
- Community. We honor the history, culture, strengths, and leadership in communities. We value teamwork and collaboration, building relationships and connecting with others to achieve common goals
- Joy. We believe that classrooms should be lively and full of joyful exploration and discovery, understanding that hope plays an integral role in being able to imagine and work towards a vibrant future.
- Agency. We trust that children are inherently capable and we prioritize learners receiving the resources and support they need to voice and act on their unique thoughts, choices, and ideas.
- Learning. We believe that learning experiences should create opportunities for students to follow their own passion and curiosity, find their purpose, and become lifelong learners.