NGS Technical Area Lead

Description

Job Objective: The NSTEM NGS Technical Area Lead provides expertise in a designated focus area (e.g., educator engagement, student engagement, partnership engagement) to support and elevate NASA’s Next Gen STEM initiatives. This position collaborates closely with key personnel to develop and implement content, activities, and engagements aligned with OSTEM and NSTEM goals, ensuring the effectiveness of mission-driven, inclusive STEM experiences that drive measurable outcomes.

Reports to: Deputy Program Manager / Project Manager

Background: Next Gen STEM is a project of NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement whose mission is to spark and sustain interest in STEM in students in grades K-12, by connecting students and their formal and informal educators to NASA’s endeavors in exploration and discovery. Next Gen STEM creates, delivers, and curates NASA STEM products and experiences that make connections to NASA and fuel STEM learning and identity. We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. We strive to reduce barriers to full participation in STEM. In addition to goals and objectives, the Strategy for STEM Engagement also includes five design principles to be considered in creating the constituent elements of all OSTEM project. Theses design principles are:

• Mission-driven authentic STEM experiences. Opportunities, activities, research experiences, and/or products enable students to contribute to NASA’s endeavors in exploration and discovery and address priorities critical to NASA’s mission.
• Evidence-based practices – Activities are informed by research, literature reviews, and/or evaluation to build evidence confirming program effectiveness and impact.
• Diversity and inclusion – Strategies are used to attract and sustain diversity in student participation and to incorporate approaches to foster and promote inclusion.
• Scalability through partnerships and metrics -- Attributes and characteristics providing opportunities to leverage partnerships and networks to magnify reach and impact are incorporated into activities.
• Outcome driven -- To demonstrate success, outcomes and metrics are established and measured.
  
  

Essential Functions

• Provide in-depth knowledge of specific focus areas (e.g., educator engagement, student engagement, partnership engagement) to guide the creation and execution of impactful STEM engagements.
• Innovate and refine strategies that promote engaging and relevant STEM experiences, aligning closely with OSTEM and NSTEM objectives.
• Offer training, resources, and strategic support to focus area team members to enhance the quality and reach of NSTEM activities.
• Serve as a guide to key personnel in developing and implementing mission-aligned engagements.
• Deliver ongoing, actionable feedback to refine and enhance the effectiveness of engagements, ensuring alignment with OSTEM’s design principles and measurable goals.
• Assist NSTEM leadership in fulfilling reporting requirements across weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual intervals.
• Collaborate with NSTEM Leadership to meet client objectives and maintain a high standard of engagement quality.
• Support the development and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and quality control measures, updating them as needed to incorporate best practices.
• Participate in regular progress reporting, market research, and literature reviews to enhance program insights.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Other Duties

• The scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Also, the essential functions described are not a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities; additional tasks may be assigned.
  
  

Requirements

Competency (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities):

• Demonstrates a professional, proactive work approach, consistently fostering open communication and providing constructive feedback.
• Skilled in training and supporting team members, emphasizing inclusive, accessible, and scalable STEM engagement strategies.
• Exhibits strong analytical and strategic thinking, effectively guiding engagement strategies and adapting to evolving project needs.
• Committed to maintaining high-quality standards and driving continuous improvement through best practices.
• Demonstrates proficient written and verbal communication skills, ensuring clarity and professionalism in daily interactions, client relations, and all work products.
• Adheres to company standards, delivering consistent, reliable results across all projects and activities.
• Possesses specialized knowledge and expertise within relevant service areas.
• Effectively plans, leads, and manages projects to achieve targeted outcomes and exceed expectations.
• Highly proficient in Smartsheet, MS Project, MS SharePoint, MS Office Suite, and various virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom, Teams, Connect).
• Actively contributes to a positive, proactive culture within a collaborative, fast-paced, and high-energy team environment.
  
  

Work Environment: The work environment is a typical office setting or virtual/remote setting.

Physical demands: The physical demands of the job include sitting for extended periods, and occasional walking and standing.

Position type and expected hours of work: Full-time exempt position. Typical work hours are Monday-Friday, 40-60 hours per week. Some job activities may be required outside of typical workdays/hours. Overtime is expected during peak periods.

Travel: 20% local and regional travel, with overnight stays necessary

Required education and experience: Bachelor's degree with 6-10 years of experience or an advanced degree with 3-8 years of experience.

Additional eligibility qualifications: A minimum of 6 years of industry-specific experience required.

Equal employment opportunity statement: All employment decisions will be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.