Lead STEM Programs Educator

Mount Washington Observatory; Conway (NH); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health coverage

Family leave

Disability insurance

Retirement plan

Sponsor gear discounts

Job summary

Mount Washington Observatory seeks a full-time Lead STEM Programs Educator to advance its K-12 and youth programming, teaching weather and climate concepts to students and teachers.

The role includes developing and delivering summer camps, after-school and school-based programs, and leading training for AmeriCorps educators, with regional travel from North Conway, NH.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in a related field, such as classroom teaching, informal education, meteorology, or environmental science.
• A clean driving record, and comfortable driving MWOBS passenger vehicles on public roadways, in addition to the Mt. Washington Auto Road (training provided).
• Able to lift 50 pounds.
• Must clear required background checks and fingerprinting.
• Must be a United States citizen, United States national, or legal permanent resident of the United States.

Responsibilities

• Leading the development, administration, promotion, and presentation of summer camp activities for at least three week-long MWOBS summer camps for youth, and one school vacation week camp.
• Developing programs for K-12 students and teachers that expand awareness of weather, climate, and the mountain environment.
• Developing 1–2 six-week after-school programs and 2–3 45-minute school-day weather programs plus a monthly homeschool program.
• Teaching in-person programs during the school year (school-day, after-school, field trips, homeschool).
• Supporting the training of AmeriCorps STEM Educators starting January 2027.
• Presenting outreach programs at MWOBS events and at libraries, science centers, and other venues.

Skills

Science teaching

Meteorology background

Youth camp leadership

Independent problem solving

Teamwork

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) works to advance understanding of the natural systems that create Earth’s weather and climate by operating a weather station at the summit of the Northeast’s highest peak for the past ninety-plus years.

MWOBS seeks a candidate to serve as a full-time, hourly, Lead STEM Programs Educator.Our ideal candidate is someone who has experience teaching science and/or a background in meteorology and climatology and has experience as a youth camp leader.Individuals who excel in this program display a curiosity and willingness to learn, remain flexible and open to new opportunities, can independently problem solve, are passionate about science education, are hard-workers, and work well both independently and as a team. MWOBS will provide training associated with its programming and guidance for developing new programming.

The salary range for this position is $39,000 to $46,800 commensurate with experience.Additional compensation and benefits are described below.

The Lead School Programs Educator will be responsible for supporting the organization’s kindergarten-to-twelfth (K-12) grade school-based and youth program efforts. Responsibilities include:

• Leading the development, administration, promotion, and presentation of summer camp activities for at least three (3) week-long MWOBS summer camps for youth, and one school vacation week camp either hosted by MWOBS or in partnership with another organization such as local libraries
• Developing programs for K-12 students and teachers that expand their awareness and understanding of weather, climate, and the mountain environment as well as general introductions to Mount Washington and its weather, geology, ecology, relevant history, and the current activities on the mountain.
• Developing at least one-to-two (1-2) six-week after-school programs and two to three 45-minute school-day weather and climate programs and a monthly homeschool program offered throughout the school year.
• Teaching in-person programs for students and teachers during the school year including but not limited to: School-day (goal of 5 per week); after-school (goal of 2 per week); and, field trip programs (2-4 winter 2026, 12-15 late spring 2027); home school programs (goal of one per month November 2026 through June 2027.
• Supporting the training of two (2) full-term AmeriCorps STEM Educators starting January 2027.
• Presenting outreach programs and tabling activities for learners of all ages at MWOBS events such as Seek the Peak and Big Wind Day, at off-site camps, libraries, science centers and other locations during the year.
• Offering weather station tours and other outreach and interpretative programming at the Extreme Mount Washington Museum and other spaces on the summit of Mount Washington.
• Supporting teacher professional development programming and materials.
• Creation, production, and distribution of ancillary program materials including lesson plans, worksheets, assessments and other classroom materials.
• Responding to general inquiries from the public about MWOBS’ educational programming and scientific activities.
• Contributing to general MWOBS educational program marketing and, in particular, marketing for school and adult programs (i.e., newsletters, blogs, social media and Windswept periodical articles and writing).
• Regular travel and overnight stays are possible at the Mount Washington summit weather station for field trip programs, weather station tours and interpretative programming support.
• Other duties as needed and assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in a related field, such as classroom teaching, informal education, meteorology, or environmental science.
• A clean driving record, and comfortable driving MWOBS passenger vehicles on public roadways, in addition to the Mt. Washington Auto Road (training provided).
• Able to lift 50 pounds.
• Must clear required background checks and fingerprinting.
• Must be a United States citizen, United States national, or legal permanent resident of the United States.

Desired Qualifications

• One or more years' work experience in a related field, such as classroom teaching and informal education.
• Familiarity with earth, environmental, and physical science topics such as meteorology, geology, ecology, physics, and natural history.
• One or more years’ work experience with program development, evaluation, and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
• Experience in the outdoors, including hiking, climbing, backpacking or leading groups

This position is based out of MWOBS’s administrative offices in North Conway, New Hampshire, though the bulk the position’s time will be performed at schools and other off-site locations. The typical work week will largely be based on the school programming schedule that may take place during and after the typical school day length at locations up to 90 minutes from North Conway, typically, Monday through Friday. Time will be given for the preparation of resources and lessons each week, with teaching occurring at schools and other organizations across northern New Hampshire, western Maine and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. The job requires regular regional travel, and as such candidates must have a valid driver’s license and a clear driving history. Work within schools requires background check and fingerprinting (costs covered by MWOBS). Remote and flexible time is encouraged for this position as responsibilities allow.

• Salary of $39,000 to $46,800
• Use of MWOBS vehicles for travel to programs.
• Cooperative Weather Observer training.
• Remote and flexible time is encouraged for this position as responsibilities allow.
• This position qualifies for the standard benefits package for all MWOBS full-time employees. Current employee benefits include generous paid time off, health, vision, and dental insurance, New Hampshire paid family leave, short and long-term disability insurance, a retirement plan after six months of service, complimentary gear from our sponsors and discounts on our retail items.

Accountability

The performance of the Lead STEM Programs Educator is in part evaluated on:

• Quality of programs provided, as evidenced by participant feedback.