Position Description

Director of the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach
Job Category Fulltime Regular
ExemptOvertimeEligible Exempt
Benefits Eligible Benefit Based
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Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The Director of the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach reports to the Vice Provost and is responsible for providing vision and leadership for the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Outreach (CTLO) in its educational initiatives to support teaching, learning, and outreach at Caltech. The Director works with an advisory committee to pursue the Center’s mission and to prioritize programs and services. The Director also interacts with Caltech Divisions, committees, and offices to coordinate and carry out its initiatives.

Essential Job Duties

  • Provides leadership and advocacy that champion outstanding teaching at Caltech; plans major campus programming that promotes excellence in teaching and learning; oversees teaching‐related professional development for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars; conducts — and guides staff who conduct — workshops and consultations to enhance teaching effectiveness for faculty and teaching assistants, including the training for new teaching assistants; and creates forums for option‐ and division‐level discussions on curriculum development, mentoring, and student learning, including forums connecting faculty teaching in the Core Curriculum.
  • Leads the CTLO in building and strengthening partnerships on campus with offices whose goals align with the CTLO. Partnership activities include collaborating with the Hixon Writing Center to support the teaching of writing/communication and curriculum development; with the Caltech Center for Inclusion and Diversity to enhance equity‐oriented teaching and to advise affinity‐based student groups working on educational and outreach initiatives; with the Student‐Faculty Programs office to support effective mentoring practices; and with the Undergraduate and Graduate Deans, the Registrar’s Office, and others in Student Affairs to pursue shared goals and projects. 
  • Serves on institutional committees, including but not limited to the Committee on Undergraduate Education, Core Curriculum Steering Committee, and the Accreditation Steering Committee. The Director also participates in regional and national initiatives and coalitions related to areas of responsibility, e.g., the American Association of Universities STEM Education Network. 
  • Participates in campus working groups that develop and implement tools and methodologies for educational assessment. Additionally, the Director leads the assessment of the effectiveness of programs and services related to areas of responsibility. 
  • Facilitates and promotes classroom and laboratory educational innovation, including assistance in the administration of the Innovation in Education Fund. 
  • Leads the implementation and evaluation of educational technologies and online media that enhance student engagement and learning, including the learning management system and related tools, overseeing and guiding staff in the CTLO and in other departments in their efforts to support educational technologies. When online learning is employed (e.g., during the COVID pandemic), the Director collaborates with offices involved in online learning support, such as Academic Media Technologies and other offices in Information Management Systems and Services, providing input on strategic communications related to education and online learning. The Director also plays a role in overseeing Caltech offerings on open online educational platforms, such as Coursera and EdX, while leveraging these platforms to advance the Institute’s educational goals and priorities.
  • Oversees the team of CTLO staff engaged in campus outreach efforts, working closely with the Vice Provost and the CTLO’s Associate Director for Educational Outreach to hone and implement the CTLO’s strategic plan for STEM educational outreach efforts that foster interest and success in STEM for K‐12 students in the local community and beyond. CTLO outreach efforts include helping guide and support Caltech faculty on the proposal and execution of government sponsored outreach and broader impacts efforts, creating and encouraging outreach efforts that broaden STEM participation both within the local community and beyond, staying abreast of educational standards in K-12 education, building relationships with schools and community organizations, and tracking and evaluating outreach activities across campus. 
  • Oversees the staff, budgets, and operations of the CTLO, overseeing and guiding CTLO staff as both the Director and the staff support faculty, teaching assistants, students, and staff on both university‐level teaching and outreach for K‐12 STEM education. 
  • Consults — and guides staff who consult — with PIs on incorporating effective educational components into research grant proposals.
  • Teaches Caltech course(s) on STEM education and/or related areas of expertise, as approved and scheduled through the standard Caltech curriculum approval processes (typically one course per year). 
  • Works with Advancement on fundraising efforts related to areas of responsibility.
  • Maintains and applies up‐to‐date knowledge of discipline‐based educational research and inclusive, equity‐oriented educational practices across areas of responsibility.

Basic Qualifications

  • Terminal degree (PhD, EdD, or equivalent degree) from an accredited university.
  • Demonstrated success leading university-level instruction.
  • Demonstrated skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, making presentations that are clear and relevant to a variety of audiences, and leading training and developmental programs.
  • Demonstrated effectiveness in supervising and mentoring staff.
  • Self‐motivated and demonstrated record of taking initiative and working independently.
  • Ability to organize and prioritize projects.
  • Adept at troubleshooting and problem‐solving with the ability to assess a situation, identify issues and practical solutions, and determine the best course of action.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Leadership experience in university STEM education.
  • Experience with K‐12 educational outreach.
  • PhD in a STEM discipline represented at Caltech.

Required Documents

Review of applications will begin November 15, 2022, and the position will remain open until filled.

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV).
  • Cover Letter (three pages maximum) summarizing your qualifications for the position, teaching philosophy, and vision for center leadership.
  • List of the names, titles, and contact information for three professional references (please do not submit reference letters at this time; references will only be contacted at a later point in the search process, and only with advance notice given to candidates). 

Hiring Range

$140,000 - $160,000 Per Year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Required for All Employees

Caltech has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective October 15, 2021, requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees (with Institute-approved exemptions for religious or medical contraindications only). At present, an individual is deemed “fully vaccinated” when that person has received, at least 14 days prior, either the second dose in a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson). Upon eligibility, employees are required to receive the COVID-19 booster as part of the vaccine mandate. As a condition of employment, employees must submit official COVID-19 vaccine documentation. More information may be found here.

EEO Statement

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

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf.

Disability Accommodations

If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at employment@caltech.edu. 

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