Director for the Community STEM Learning Center

Columbia Basin College; Pasco (WA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia Basin College seeks a Director for the Community STEM Learning Center to lead strategic direction, operations, and partnerships that expand access to STEM education and workforce readiness in the Tri-Cities region. You will manage budgets, drive fundraising, and build collaborations with K-12, higher education, industry, and community organizations.

Reporting to the Vice President for Marketing & External Engagement, you will oversee program development, advisory boards, and outcomes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with related field focus.
• Experience leading programs, operations, or initiatives.
• Proven ability to build partnerships with schools, businesses, and communities.
• Budget management and grants/sponsorship experience.
• Strong communication, project leadership, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the vision, strategic direction, and priorities for the STEM Learning Center, including hands-on STEM programs and experiences that advance equitable access, community engagement, education opportunities, and connections to workforce readiness.
• Develop and manage a sustainable operating model for the STEM Learning Center, including budget and resource management, facility utilization, staffing, and short- and long-term operational planning.
• Develop and execute strategies to secure and diversify resources for the Center through grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and other funding opportunities.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with faculty and staff, K-12 and higher education partners, businesses and industry, community organizations, funders, and other stakeholders to advance the Center’s mission and sustainability.
• Lead the development and evaluation of STEM programs, activities, and events that provide meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities and respond to community and workforce needs.
• Establish and monitor measures of Center performance and impact, including participation, partnerships, program outcomes, facility utilization, and financial performance, and use results to guide priorities and continuous improvement.
• Supervise and provide direction to STEM Learning Center staff, volunteers, and student interns, including establishing priorities, delegating responsibilities, and supporting effective performance.
• Lead and engage the STEM Learning Center Advisory Committee to inform the Center’s strategic direction, programming, partnerships, and community engagement.
• Serve as the primary representative and advocate for the STEM Learning Center and collaborate with Marketing and other College areas to build awareness, engagement, partnerships, and support for the Center; and
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Budget management

Partnership development

Communication

Project management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, STEM, education, public or community engagement, nonprofit management, or related field

Job description

Description

Join the CBC team and help us transform students’ lives!

CBC is committed to our vision to be the educational home that transforms students' lives through economic and social mobility. We are one of eight Hispanic-Serving Institutions in Washington state with Hispanic students representing just under half of our student population. As such, CBC is committed to discovering and enacting innovative ways to intentionally serve Hispanic students while serving all. We center equity in all that we do and seek to attract and retain engaged individuals committed to helping all students be successful in accomplishing their goals.

CBC places a high value on the ability to communicate effectively across cultures, to implement culturally responsive teaching strategies, and model intercultural empathy. Experience in serving Hispanic students is not merely a preference — it is valued at Columbia Basin College. Advanced intercultural knowledge and skills among our faculty is essential to the success of our students and our institution as a whole.

El CBC está comprometido con nuestra visión de ser el hogar educativo que transforma las vidas de los estudiantes a través de la movilización económica y social. Somos una de ocho Instituciones de Servicio de los hispanos en el estado de Washington y los estudiantes hispanos representan un poco menos de la mitad de nuestra población estudiantil. Como tal, CBC se compromete a descubrir y crear formas innovadoras para servir intencionalmente a los estudiantes hispanos, mientras que al mismo tiempo sirve a todos los demás. Nos enfocamos en la equidad en todo lo que hacemos y buscamos atraer y retener individuos que se comprometan en ayudar a todos los estudiantes a tener éxito en el logro de sus metas.

El CBC le da un enorme valor a la habilidad de comunicarse efectivamente a través de culturas, para implementar estrategias de enseñanza culturalmente responsivas, y modelar empatía intercultural. La experiencia en servir a los estudiantes hispanos no es simplemente una preferencia, sino que es algo que se valora en el Columbia Basin College. El conocimiento y las aptitudes interculturales avanzadas entre nuestros profesores son esenciales para el éxito de nuestros estudiantes y de nuestra institución en su totalidad.

Find out more about our diverse and vibrant community!

Visit Tri-Cities, Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Benton-Franklin Trends.

Here’s how you will support our mission

The Director for the Community STEM Learning Center provides strategic, operational, and business leadership to advance access to STEM education, workforce readiness in STEM fields, and community engagement in the Tri-Cities. The Director is responsible for developing and implementing the Center’s strategic vision, ensuring effective operations and financial sustainability, and cultivating partnerships with educational institutions, businesses, industry, and community organizations. This position combines a commitment to expanding access to STEM learning with strong business management, resource development, and accountability for the Center’s long-term success.

This position reports directly to the Vice President forMarketing & External Engagement.

The salary range for this position is $79,505- $87,882.

This position is receiving applications until November 16,2026 at 11:59 PM PST. The College will conduct initial interviews with selected candidates via Zoom and will conduct on-campus interviews with finalists.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the vision, strategic direction, and priorities for the STEM Learning Center, including hands‑on STEM programs and experiences that advance equitable access, community engagement, education opportunities, and connections to workforce readiness.


• Develop and manage a sustainable operating model for the STEM Learning Center, including budget and resource management, facility utilization, staffing, and short‑and‑long‑term operational planning.


• Develop and execute strategies to secure and diversify resources for the Center through grants, sponsorships, partnerships, and other funding opportunities.


• Build and maintain strategic relationships with faculty and staff, K‑12 and higher education partners, businesses and industry, community organizations, funders, and other stakeholders to advance the Center’s mission and sustainability.


• Lead the development and evaluation of STEM programs, activities, and events that provide meaningful, hands‑on learning opportunities and respond to community and workforce needs.


• Establish and monitor measures of Center performance and impact, including participation, partnerships, program outcomes, facility utilization, and financial performance, and use results to guide priorities and continuous improvement.


• Supervise and provide direction to STEM Learning Center staff, volunteers, and student interns, including establishing priorities, delegating responsibilities, and supporting effective performance.


• Lead and engage the STEM Learning Center Advisory Committee to inform the Center’s strategic direction, programming, partnerships, and community engagement.


• Serve as the primary representative and advocate for the STEM Learning Center and collaborate with Marketing and other College areas to build awareness, engagement, partnerships, and support for the Center; and


• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited college or university in business, STEM, education, public or community engagement, nonprofit management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Experience leading programs, operations, or initiatives involving responsibility for planning, resource management, and measurable outcomes.


• Demonstrated experience developing and managing partnerships with educational institutions, businesses and industry, community organizations, or other external stakeholders.


• Experience with budget or resource management and with grants, sponsorships, resource development, or other funding activities; and


• Strong communication, project management, and organizational leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, nonprofit management, STEM education, organizational leadership, or a related field from an institutionally accredited college or university.


• Experience leading or managing a community-facing center, educational initiative, nonprofit program, or similar operation.


• Experience securing and managing grants, sponsorships, or other external funding.


• Knowledge of STEM education, workforce needs, emerging technologies, or informal STEM learning environments; and


• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Competencies:

Support for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion : Reflecting CBC’s mission, vision and values, support initiatives that expand the human qualities that differentiate our workplace and educational setting. Demonstrate and advocate an understanding of differences, open mindedness, compassion, sensitivity and interest in differing viewpoints given the diverse population and show a deep commitment to the involvement of colleagues, students and community members to student experience and success honoring freedom of expression as fundamental to personal, professional and organizational growth;

CBC Shared Commitments : Demonstrates a willingness to work with and support others in completing assignments, accepts constructive feedback, and cooperates with coworkers and supervisors. Shows alignment with CBC Shared Commitments by treating others with respect, communicating and collaborating effectively, pursuing growth and learning, valuing and celebrating contributions, prioritizing wellness, and holding self and others accountable;

Strategic Leadership : Ability to establish a clear vision and strategic direction, translate priorities into achievable plans and outcomes, and lead others in responding to evolving College and community needs;

Business & Financial Management : Ability to manage budgets and resources, assess financial and operational performance, evaluate opportunities, and make sound decisions that support effective operations and long-term sustainability;

Partnership & Resource Development : Ability to cultivate productive relationships with educational institutions, businesses and industry, community organizations, funders, and other stakeholders to develop partnerships, secure resources, and advance the Center’s mission;

Operational & Project Management : Ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate, and oversee multiple programs and initiatives while effectively managing resources, timelines, responsibilities, and results; and

Communication & Community Engagement : Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse internal and external audiences, build support for the Center’s work, facilitate collaboration, and represent the College effectively in the community.

Terms of Employment

Columbia Basin College is unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas (e.g., H-1B) at this time. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship.

This is a full‑time, overtime exempt, administrative staff position. The typical work hours for this position are Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; however, work hours may vary due to work demands and some evening and weekend work may be required.

CBC offers excellent medical/dental insurance, life insurance, long‑term disability, paid leave, retirement plans, and a variety of benefit options. Please view the “Benefits” tab for comprehensive benefits information.

CBC is an equal opportunity employer and complies with the letter and spirit of all federal and state laws. CBC encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other legal protected characteristics. Candidates who need any accommodation in the application process or in employment should contact the Office of Human Resources.

Successful candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Provide proof of lawful permanent residency or other appropriate work authorization as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.


• Disclose any substantiated findings or any ongoing investigations related to sexual misconduct as required by RCW 28B.112.080.


• Pass a criminal background check. Note: information learned during the criminal background check will not necessarily preclude employment but may be a factor in eligibility for the position.


• Verify education at the time of hire.


• Maintain an alcohol‑free and drug‑free workplace during employment.

Other Job Elements

The working conditions listed below represent those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach and manipulate objects. The position requires mobility including having the ability to move materials on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, etc. and travel between buildings on campus. Manual dexterity and coordination are required to operate equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment.

Work Conditions

Work environment includes office and other settings as appropriate. The position operates in a fast‑paced service‑oriented environment with frequent interaction and competing priorities. The noise level is typical of an office environment with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noise. Occasional travel may be required.

If you have questions or need assistance during the application or search process, please contact the recruiter for this position, McKenzie Howard, at [e-mail] or [phone].