Practicum and Curriculum Manager

🔍 Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford, California, United States

📁: Administration

📅   : Jun 10, 2024 Post Date

📅   : 103564 Requisition #

This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.

About Us

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, and to creating solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change. For more information about the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability (SDSS) please click here.

Sustainability Science and Practice Program

The Sustainability Science and Practice Program (or SUST) is an interdisciplinary coterminal master’s program within SDSS that prepares students to be a new kind of leader, capable of radically accelerating the transition to a sustainable society. The SUST community includes nearly 100 master’s students from diverse undergraduate majors, a network of alumni working across sectors to advance sustainability, affiliated faculty from all seven schools at Stanford, and a dedicated and collaborative staff team. SUST is part of the Change Leadership for Sustainability Program, which also offers an online course and other professional education opportunities.

The SUST curriculum integrates theoretical and conceptual knowledge with practice-based learning, preparing students to: 1) understand complex social-environmental systems, 2) understand decision making and strategies for leading change, and 3) design innovations with impact at scale. As a culminating learning experience, each SUST master’s student completes a Sustainability Leadership Practicum, partnering with an outside organization to advance sustainability while applying and internalizing the knowledge, mindsets, and skills learned through their coursework. Our vision is to continuously innovate and strengthen the SUST curriculum in order to optimize the sustainability impact of our graduates.

About the Position

The Sustainability Science and Practice Master’s Program is seeking an experienced sustainability practitioner, educator, and curriculum developer to join our team as a full-time Practicum and Curriculum Manager. The ideal candidate for this role is a creative and collaborative systems thinker, excellent communicator, and diligent project manager who enjoys mentoring master's-level students and is passionate about cutting-edge sustainability curriculum and pedagogy.

The Practicum and Curriculum Manager will lead the Sustainability Leadership Practicum and play a central role in curriculum development for the SUST master’s program. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a strong background in sustainability practice and deep interest in sustainability education to make meaningful contributions to the SUST curriculum and support a diverse and passionate group of students in their learning and development as sustainability leaders. As an integral member of the SUST program team, you will be joining a hard-working and collaborative group of colleagues who are passionate about advancing our mission, dedicated to supporting our students, and committed to fostering a culture of openness, respect, mutual support, and innovation within our team and program community.

Primary Duties

As manager of the Sustainability Leadership Practicum, you will be responsible for maximizing student learning and engagement and ensuring smooth and effective practicum operations. This includes:

Extensive advising and mentoring of students throughout the year, including coaching students on the application of core curricular frameworks and skills as they advance through the stages of their practica.
Evaluating and providing feedback to students on their practicum proposals, critical analyses, and final deliverables.
Developing, enhancing, and maintaining practicum resources, systems, and communication materials (proposal forms, syllabus, Canvas course page, video library, etc.).
Hosting workshops to support students with practicum planning and develop their skills in systems mapping, theory of change, and other relevant topics.
Planning and facilitating practicum presentation events, including leading Q&A sessions to evaluate depth of understanding and foster learning among students.
Conducting outreach and building relationships with external stakeholders such as practicum organizations as well as partnering with relevant offices at Stanford such as the Haas Center for Public Service and the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning.
Establishing and fostering connections with SUST alumni to support the practicum.
Evaluating practicum effectiveness and recommending and implementing improvements to practicum policies and practices.

You will also play a central role in strengthening and expanding the SUST curriculum and the SUST program overall. This includes:

Planning and administering annual curriculum review.
Engaging staff, faculty, students, alumni, and sustainability practitioners to identify emerging curricular needs and opportunities.
Developing recommendations for curricular improvements based on feedback, literature reviews, and learning from other institutions.
Developing recommendations and aiding faculty in more fully integrating social and environmental justice, indigenous ways of knowing, perspectives from the global south, and other key aspects of sustainability into curriculum.
Developing new case studies and other curricular materials that illustrate key concepts.
Evaluating courses across the university for alignment with program learning objectives and making recommendations for inclusion in the SUST curriculum.
Developing resources to aid program staff and faculty with curricular advising.
Designing and implementing strategies for program learning and impact evaluation (surveys, focus groups, etc.), distilling findings, and making recommendations.
Contributing to short- and long-term SUST strategy development and planning.
Contributing to building the SUST network throughout the university, identifying and engaging relevant faculty, practitioners, staff, programs and initiatives to support the program.
Collaborating with program colleagues to improve operational efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability.
Collaborating and supporting program staff to implement and execute program events throughout the year.
Reviewing prospective student applications and assisting with program admissions.
Occasionally lecturing in SUST or other SDSS courses.
Participating in events and school-wide initiatives as an active member of the SDSS community (e.g., DEI gatherings, zero waste initiative, etc.).

To be successful in this position, you will need:

An advanced degree (PhD preferred) in an interdisciplinary field or in natural or social sciences, and a minimum of three years of practical experience advancing sustainability in collaboration with diverse stakeholders across sectors.
Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources.
Excellent oral, written, and analytical skills, exhibiting fluency in area of specialization.
Ability to oversee and direct staff.
Basic knowledge of managing budgets and developing financial plans.

In addition, our preferred qualifications include:

Flexible, open-minded, and collaborative work style.
Exceptional team player, ready to support others to achieve common goals.
Inclusive leader with track record creating environments that foster belonging and community.
Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and judgment.
Ability to navigate and innovate in a dynamic environment.
Demonstrated ability to develop, enhance, and evaluate programs and curricula.
Knowledge of theoretical and practical curricula pertaining to sustainability.
Strong track record of mentoring and inspiring students.
Strong presentation and facilitation skills.
Demonstrated problem solving, critical analysis, and decision-making skills.
Demonstrated ability to build and advance partnerships.
Experience designing and convening workshops.
Experience designing and delivering lectures, preferably at the graduate level.
Experience with program learning and evaluation, including developing surveys and leading focus groups.
Strong planning and organizational skills.
Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, advance multiple projects concurrently, and meet deadlines.

Of particular interest are candidates who possess deep theoretical knowledge and first-hand experience working in complex social-environmental systems, as well as candidates with knowledge and experience across multiple thematic areas such as water, energy, food, urban planning, health, justice, and/or other domains pertinent to sustainability.

The expected pay range for this position is $95,000 to $139,000 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

How to Apply
We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button. Please include with your application a CV or resume and a cover letter that speaks to your interest and qualifications for the role.

Why Stanford is for You

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or course auditing. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
A healthier you. Climb our rock wall or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additional Information