[YEP-DC] Job posting: Director, Ready To Learn Content & Curriculum at PBS (Arlington, VA)

The previous Director recently relocated to the west coast and PBS is looking to hire someone to replace her. The posting and instructions on how to apply are at http://www.pbs.org/about/careers/job-openings/ (I've also pasted the description below). The position is contract-based and aligns with our grant, which expires September 29, 2015.

While I am the project manager for Ready To Learn at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which works with PBS on the Ready To Learn grant from the U.S. Department of Education, I am not a part of the hiring process. However, I'm happy to chat with any interested applicants about the RTL project and working at PBS (my previous employer), with the caveat that I'm about a week away from going on maternity leave, so any discussions should happen soon.

- Devon Steven

Director, Ready To Learn Content & Curriculum

DEPARTMENT:  Children's Programming

STATUS:  Full-time/Project/Exempt (funded by a grant through September 29, 2015)

JOB OBJECTIVE: 

Act as the Programming and Curriculum point person for the Ready To Learn grant. Oversee development and review content on multiple media platforms, including television, web, mobile, tablet, Interactive Whiteboards, and on-the-ground Outreach programs. Work closely with content producers and provide guidance on whether content and curriculum accurately reflect the show's premise and learning objectives. Create and update comprehensive curriculum frameworks based on current teaching standards to guide the development of all Ready To Learn media content for PBS Kids. Function as Programming and Curriculum liaison with CPB Ready To Learn team on a regular basis for exchange for information and updates.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

Oversee and manage series production:

• Work closely with PBA to execute contract with producers;
• Work closely with producers to develop overarching curriculum and creative goals for the series;
• Review and provide creative and curriculum feedback on all episodes at all stages of development (outline, script, animatic, rough cut animation, final cut);
• Work closely with Interactive group and content producers to develop digital content that accurately reflects the show's premise and learning goals.

Oversee curriculum development for the Ready To Learn initiative:

• Interface with the Ready To Learn Curriculum Advisory board, a team of educational experts in the field of math, STEM, literacy, early childhood, and children's media;
• Conduct extensive research and develop foundation for math and literacy frameworks and work closely with advisory team to update curriculum documents;
• Coordinate 1-2 advisory meetings per year with advisory board team;
• Map all Ready To Learn content to curriculum frameworks and identify curriculum gaps to address in future content;
• Promote the frameworks as a necessary content development tool to potential partners and funders to PBS and Ready To Learn.

Develop transmedia gaming suites and other digital content for Ready To Learn grant:

• With Digital Sr. Content Manager, co-lead the development and production of all gaming content;
• Work closely with content producers and provide curriculum and creative feedback through all phases of production (proposal, content plan, functional specs, design comps, alphas, and betas);
• With producers, determine most appropriate curriculum for digital content and advise on how curriculum fits into our overall educational goals for the Ready To Learn grant.

Collaborate with Ready To Learn colleagues as key team member:

• Function as Programming and Curriculum liaison for RTL, updating PBS and CPB on a regular basis for exchange of information and updates, including pilot development, series production and timeline;
• Participate in RTL events, including advisory board meetings, updates with DOE, Twitter Parties, and GPRA (annual federal performance review).

As needed, oversee and manage pilot development and production of future RTL grants:

• Write and distribute RFPs as needed;
• Lead review process and coordinate meetings to narrow down field of RFP proposals to three properties;
• Work with PBA to execute pilot contracts;
• Collaborate with content producers and provide creative and curriculum feedback on pilot projects (bible, curriculum, outline, script, animatic, rough cuts);
• Work closely with Interactive group to develop pilot game content;
• Coordinate focus group testing with outside research company, attend testing, and report back on preliminary results.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: 

• 6+ years' experience in TV or digital media industry working with curriculum-based content;
• Experience as a classroom teacher, early childhood curriculum developer, education researcher or director of an early childhood education program a plus.

MINIMUM EDUCATION/TRAINING REQUIRED: 

Master's degree in Pre-K/Elementary education or early childhood development

SKILLS/ABILITIES REQUIRED: 

• Expertise in early childhood development;
• Knowledge of TV and digital media programming and production;
• Up-to-date knowledge of math and literacy skills, of how children learn, and of recent research in the field of math and literacy instruction;
• Knowledge of program outreach, including promotion, explanatory material and educational extensions of program content;
• Ability to develop curriculum appropriate for children ages 2 – 8, especially for low income populations;
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written;
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with cross-departmental teams, producers and other stakeholders;
• Ability to proactively prioritize and manage workload and to meet deadlines.

PBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D