Curriculum Designer 1 - Social Studies PD

Houston ISD; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston ISD is seeking a Curriculum Specialist to develop the NES curriculum for grades 6–11 Social Studies and to lead job-embedded professional development. The role focuses on creating teacher-facing curriculum, including slide decks, student activities, and differentiated assignments aligned to daily objectives.

You will work with designers, leaders, and teachers to internalize standards, implement DOL practices, and ensure cultural relevance across lessons.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree is required for this instructional leadership role.
• At least 3 years of teaching or district/central office experience in a large urban system.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop NES curriculum aligned to 6th–11th grade Social Studies.
• Create teacher-facing curriculum, slide decks, and demonstrations of learning.
• Collaborate with designers, leaders and teachers to ensure alignment and clarity.
• Support professional development and DOL; review and internalize daily objectives.
• Participate in PLC brain trusts and TEKS-driven PD activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Certifications/Licensure

Teacher Certification

Office equipment

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Certifications/Licensure

Teacher Certification

Office equipment

Job description

The primary focus of this role is developing Houston ISD NES (New Education System) curriculum in 6th through 11th grade Social Studies, with a specific emphasis the job-embedded professional development and supporting the writing of teacher-facing curriculum including slide decks with teacher guidance for implementation, Demonstration of Learning (DOL), student activities and differentiated assignments aligned to the learning objective provided for each day through review and internalization practices with designers, leaders and teachers.

Responsibilities

• NES Curriculum Professional Learning Development and Design Support: Design and create job embedded with professional learning aligned to the curriculum for assigned content area(s) and grade level band(s), ensuring alignment with NES model and Houston ISD's educational objectives. This includes slides, student activities, assessments, and differentiated assignments.
• Curriculum Evaluation: Evaluate curriculum through a sensitivity lens to ensure grade-level appropriateness and cultural relevance.
• Participation of Brain Trusts (PLC): Participate in collaborative brain trust sessions to gather insights, share expertise, and foster innovation in curriculum design and instructional strategies to ensure alignment, correctness, and clarity of each lesson document.
• TEKS-Driven Professional Development: Attend professional development sessions focused on internalizing state standards and alignment to NES model for assigned content area(s) and grade level band(s).
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

At least 3 years working as a teacher or in the district/central office of a large urban school district.

TYPE OF SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Software Microsoft Office Certifications/Licensure Teacher Certification Equipment Office equipment (e.g., computer, copier)

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

-No supervisory responsibilities. May provide occasional work guidance, technical advice, and training to staff.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

-Work is substantially complex, varied and regularly requires the selection and application of technical and detailed guidelines. Independent judgment is required to identify, select, and apply the most appropriate methods as well as interpret precedent. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the department. Supervision received typically consists of providing direction on the more complex projects and new job duties and priorities.

BUDGET AUTHORITY

-No budget development activity is required.

PROBLEM SOLVING

-Decisions are made on both routine and non-routine matters with some latitude but are still subject to approval. Job is occasionally expected to recommend new solutions to problems and improve existing methods or generate new ideas.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

-Decisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the organization causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies, or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

-Collaborate and solve problems - works with others to resolve problems, clarify, or interpret complex information/policies and provide initial screening/negotiations without approval authority. Interactions are typically with customers, senior level professional staff, and managers.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

-Anticipates customer needs, identifies, and champions opportunities for the development and implementation of new services and methods to meet or exceed customer needs. Establishes customer service standards and feedback mechanisms across departments.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

-Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.