Description

Organization Summary 

PBLWorks, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Novato, California, is the industry leader in providing professional development and support services related to Project Based Learning (PBL). PBLWorks creates, collects, and shares high-quality PBL tools and resources with K-12 teachers and leaders across the country. At PBLWorks, we believe that all students — no matter where they live or what their background — to have access to quality PBL instruction to deepen their learning and achieve success in college, career, and life.

PBLWorks is poised for its next phase of growth, innovation, and impact. Our Strategic Plan 2024–2028 expands our focus from professional learning to support teachers in designing PBL units to the development of new products and redesigned services that enable all teachers to implement PBL by creating curriculum units that teachers can adapt and the creation of a digital platform that teachers can access from anywhere at any time. This role, along with the rest of the team, will allow us to fulfill our mission to build the capacity of teachers and school systems to design and facilitate high-quality Project Based Learning.

Position Summary 

The Curriculum Developer is responsible for the development, writing, editing, and revision of high-quality curriculum materials and performance assessments to support teachers in the implementation of Project Based Learning. The curriculum developer will support all aspects of the development of PBLWorks curriculum materials, including lesson plans, student and teacher-facing resources such as assessments, handouts, videos, or articles. The Developer will work with AI tools, contractors, and in collaboration with colleagues to develop these resources. Working with the team of curriculum developers, they will support the training of contractors and maintain the curriculum writer’s guide.  

The developer will focus on curriculum materials related to K-12 math, science, STEM, and other subjects, organized into units of 3-4 weeks of instruction, and focusing on a diverse range of topics. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Curriculum Development and Writing  

• Work on multiple units simultaneously (up to six units at a time)
• Develop formative and summative performance assessments, rubrics, and teacher guidance for utilizing performance assessment within projects.
• Use organizationally trained AI tools to develop unit materials and/or routinely coach writers to develop unit materials:
  • Proficiently and creatively use AI tools to generate unit concepts, unit outlines, assessments, student-facing resources, and teacher planning resources.
  • Host synchronous 1:1 and small group Zoom coaching sessions.  
  • Provide regular and timely asynchronous feedback to writers focused on lesson content, materials creation, and lesson refinement.
  • Provide support for writers on accessing texts, images, videos, and other assets to use in units
  • Develop original documentation that provides unit writers with direction and guidance for writing unit materials.    
• Write, edit, and revise new and existing student and teacher materials in order to strengthen alignment to outcomes, improve teacher PBL practice and implementation, and advance the organizational racial equity imperative. 
• Conduct research to acquire assets for use in curriculum materials. 
• Provide feedback on the overall design for curriculum materials at PBLWorks, to include pedagogical strategies, structure, length, topic selection, and other factors in alignment with best practices for PBL defined by PBLWorks and the broader field.
• Recruit writers and connect with experts in the field of STEM, science, math and related subjects to advise and/or perform work for the organization.
• Apply unit design guidelines and style guidelines in development of unit materials.
• Effectively and independently project manage the development of multiple units on an ambitious and strict development timeline.

Project collaboration

• Follow project plans for all assigned projects, meeting all stated deadlines and milestones. Coordinate work across team members and adjust tasks based on organizational priorities. 
• Communicate clearly and effectively with team members and contractors about progress, deadlines, challenges, and solutions. At times, manage consultants/ contractors on specific projects.
• Respond constructively to suggestions, feedback, and editing of your writing and curriculum development.
• Assist with the implementation of curriculum and professional development pilots in partner school districts.  Provide consultation to the professional learning team in the development of curriculum-based workshops. Assist in collecting and reviewing data from pilots to inform the development and revision of curriculum materials. 
   

Contribution to PBLWorks’ Mission, Vision, and Racial Equity Imperative 

• Work with other PBLWorks team members to further our mission, vision, core values, racial equity imperative, and strategic plan. 
• As a collaborative team player, support PBLWorks colleagues, and contribute to the full breadth of the organization’s work and culture. 
• Engage in ongoing individual and collective learning about how to advance racial equity through Project Based Learning for all students, especially Black and Brown students 

Other duties as assigned.

Requirements, Skills and Abilities

This role must believe in PBLWorks’ core values, be driven by our mission and vision, and share our commitment to advancing racial equity.

Specific requirements include:

• Three or more years of experience developing curriculum in a publishing setting as a developer, writer and/or editor of science and math related materials across the K-12 grade bands, for use by a wide audience (beyond one’s own classroom or school).  
• Two or more years experience designing performance and portfolio-based assessment, using performance outcomes to develop units, and developing guidance for teachers implementing assessments. 
• Deep knowledge of 
  • Project Based Learning, preferably gained through first hand experience as a PBL teacher, coach or leader. 
  • College and career-readiness standards in STEM, science, math and related topics.  
  • Culturally relevant & responsive teaching practices and designing for equity
• Prior experience as a K-12 classroom teacher experience required.
• Ability to work in collaboration with diverse groups of people/ communities of color.
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees.
• Exceptional organizational skills with high attention to detail and strong multitasking skills that result in accurate and thorough end products. 
• Ability to work effectively in virtual environments with staff and consultants. 
• Competent with Word, Excel, Google Apps, and willing to learn additional technology tools adopted by the organization. 
• Experience authoring into content management systems and designing in Adobe Suite (InDesign, InCopy, Photoshop) is desired.
• Mission-driven individual who is excited about supporting a community of professionals to impact students around the world.

Additional requirements are:

• Results-proven track record of exceeding goals and a bottom-line orientation; evidence of the ability to consistently make good decisions through analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment; high level of business acumen; problem-solving, project management, and creative resourcefulness.
• Impeccable integrity, clear communicator in writing and verbally.
• Flexible and able to multitask; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment while driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems.
• Action-oriented: enjoys working hard and looking for challenges; proactive; not afraid to take risks.

The successful candidate will possess these skills and abilities:

• Ability to thrive in a collaborative and diverse environment.
• Strong analytical skills; basic business intuition.
• Great listener. 
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Extraordinary organizational skills with an exceptional focus on accuracy and accountability. 
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines and prioritize.
• Data-driven with analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees.

The successful candidate will reflect these attributes:

• Integrity, a positive attitude, and self-direction.
• Belief in transparency and open communication.
• Passionate about addressing equity in education.
• Ability to build trust quickly.
• A team player who can work effectively with peers and other associates within a collegial yet demanding work environment

Reporting Relationships

The Curriculum Developer works closely with other disciplinary lead developers, and reports directly to the Director of Curriculum Design. The role requires recurring meetings with other team members and scheduled meetings with writers and consultants.

Location

This position is remote and may be based anywhere within the U.S. Occasional travel may be required for team meetings and events (~3-5 times per year).

Compensation & Benefits

• This full-time, exempt role offers full health benefits (including medical, dental, and vision), a 403b, and life and disability insurance. PBLWorks offers competitive pay (commensurate with experience) and a generous benefits package.  
• The pay range for this position is $102,000 - $108,000. 

Additional Requirements

PBLWorks participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. We will only use E-Verify once a newly hired employee has accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

As a company, we celebrate and embrace diversity. We actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in every hiring process. Buck Institute for Education is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act).