WGVU Education Engagement Specialist

Grand Valley State University; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition waiver

Job summary

Grand Valley State University invites applications for an Education Outreach Specialist to support WGVU and the Michigan Learning Channel in Grand Rapids. The role focuses on building relationships with schools, educators and families, and promoting public media resources while aligning curriculum with MLC assets.

The ideal candidate has a K-12 teaching background, strong skills in integrating digital tools, excellent communication, and the ability to manage multiple projects, with some evenings

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education.
• Secondary (grades 5-12) classroom teaching experience.
• Experience with integration and implementation of current digital tools and media in classroom instruction, student learning, and/or student work/outcomes. This may include Instructional Design, Ed Tech and other tools and resources (either in the classroom or as part of a school or district role).
• Ability to manage time and resources while balancing multiple projects and deadlines strategically and effectively.
• Comfortable speaking publicly and presenting to large groups while using digital tools.
• Commitment to GVSU’s Core Competencies.
• Commitment to WGVU’s vision of diversity, inclusion, and equity.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work within a collaborative multiplatform culture and environment.
• Ability to demonstrate professionalism, punctuality, and work self-sufficiently with little direction when required.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including some nights and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to work on location as needed.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with education service organizations, districts, schools, teachers, families and partners to promote MLC, WGVU Education, PBS KIDS and NPR.
• Promote public media resources and partnerships with WGVU Education, MLC, PBS KIDS and PBS LearningMedia.
• Plan and run program and event logistics with partner organizations aligned to school calendars and local opportunities.
• Implement K-12 events, professional learning, workshops and trainings around MLC and PBS assets.
• Collect testimonials and data to support literacy, math, media literacy and digital citizenship outcomes; prepare quarterly reports.
• Coordinate Education Department work, social media, newsletters, content projects and grants.
• Maintain current understanding of educational pedagogy, standards and EdTech trends.
• Support other WGVU staff and events as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by leadership.

Skills

Public speaking

Written and verbal communication

Time management

Collaboration

Punctuality and independence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education

NBCT or State Teaching Certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google for Education

Canva

Zoom

Job description

This position works within the WGVU broadcast area to build relationships and promote WGVU, PBS, PBS KIDS, NPR, and MLC programming and resources, while also leveraging curricular and digital learning tools to further engage and support educators, students, and families around equitable education outcomes.

Salary & Benefits:

Minimum starting salary range of $45,500, commensurate with experience

Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Primary Duties

• Build relationships with WGVU viewing-area education service organizations, school districts, schools, teachers, families, and other partners by leveraging a focus on curriculum to promote the Michigan Learning Channel (MLC), WGVU Education, PBS, PBS KIDS, NPR, and other public media programs and resources.

• Promote public media resources and partnerships, along with programs and resources associated with WGVU Education, Michigan Learning Channel (MLC), PBS KIDS, and PBS LearningMedia.

• Plan, coordinate, implement and run program and event logistics in coordination with partner organizations, including workshops, special events, trainings, WGVU and GVSU events, community partner events, and more in alignment with school calendars, local events, and opportunities tied to specialized audiences.

• Implement K-12 special events, professional learning, workshops, and trainings around MLC, WGVU, PBS KIDS and PBS assets to support educators (and families) in curriculum integration and classroom or home use.

• Collect testimonials, data and best practices on how students, educators and families are using public media assets to support literacy, math, media literacy, youth voice, digital citizenship, storytelling, and content creation. Collect and organize all data required for quarterly grant and funder reporting.

• Participate in the coordination, planning and implementation of Education Department program work, including social media and weekly education newsletter content; webpage content; PBS LearningMedia content projects; PreK-12 professional learning events; education and community events; family engagement opportunities; and proposals and grant work.

• Maintain a current understanding of effective educational pedagogies and best practices; local and national education issues/policies; EdTech trends, apps, platforms, and tools; and Michigan and National K-12 Academic Standards.

• Support other WGVU staff, departments, and events, as needed.

• Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in education.

• Secondary (grades 5-12) classroom teaching experience.

• Experience with integration and implementation of current digital tools and media in classroom instruction, student learning, and/or student work/outcomes. This may include Instructional Design, Ed Tech and other tools and resources (either in the classroom or as part of a school or district role).

• Ability to manage time and resources while balancing multiple projects and deadlines strategically and effectively.

• Comfortable speaking publicly and presenting to large groups while using digital tools.

• Commitment to GVSU’s Core Competencies.

• Commitment to WGVU’s vision of diversity, inclusion, and equity.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Ability to work within a collaborative multiplatform culture and environment.

• Ability to demonstrate professionalism, punctuality, and work self-sufficiently with little direction when required.

• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including some nights and weekends.

• Valid driver’s license and ability to work on location as needed.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience with literacy and/or ELA instruction is highly preferred.

• Content creation experience for education/classroom applications.

• Community and partner engagement experience.

• Experience with Microsoft Workplace tools, Google for education tools, and Canva.

• Experience with Zoom or other virtual conferencing platforms.

• NBCT or State Teaching Certification.

Application Deadline:

Application closes September 22, 2026. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.