Stem Assistant Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Director of K-12 Initiatives Programs
Job no: 537259
Work type: Administrative & Professional
Senior management: Greater Washington, D.C Area
Department: GWDCA
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Categories: Academic Advising / Support, Other
Job Description
The Assistant Director of K-12 Initiatives Programs provides strategic leadership for educational access initiatives, STEM programming, and community engagement across preK-16+ populations. This role combines college access coordination, youth and family engagement, and applied educational research, primarily serving all students with an emphasis on first generation students higher education and K-12 school systems.
This position is responsible for planning and implementing high-impact college preparation programs, leading cross-sector partnerships, and developing collaborative outreach across university, school, and community stakeholders. The Assistant Director works with internal and external partners to build sustainable programming and infrastructure aimed at academic achievement, educational equity, and workforce readiness.
The role requires a creative, empathetic, and data-informed professional who can manage multiple educational initiatives simultaneously and engage diverse groups including youth, families, educators, and community leaders.
Required Qualifications
• Master's degree in a related field (STEM, Education, Public Policy, Youth Development, or similar).
• Will accept Bachelor's degree with significant professional experience.
• Experience working with first generation and/or low-income student populations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple programs and projects.
• Demonstrated communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Experience with collaborative teamwork and leadership.
• Knowledge of STEM education, K-12 and higher education systems and student development theory.
• Familiarity with college access, academic success initiatives, and youth development programming.
• Experience with curriculum planning, facilitating student workshops, and advising.
• Willingness to travel regionally, including evenings and weekends.
Preferred Qualifications
• Grant writing and program evaluation experience.
• Applied research experience in educational settings.
• Knowledge of STEM education, community relations and marketing practices.
• Experience leading professional development or public-facing presentations.
• Understanding of educational ecosystem, first generation, low-income learners
• Experience working with families and providing college advising services.
• Ability to use data for program improvement and storytelling.
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
Commensurate with experience, starting at $70,000
Hours per week
40
Review Date
8/31/2026
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Stuart Cline at stuart90@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Advertised: August 11, 2026
Applications close:
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