The West Virginia & Regional History Center at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Education Specialist.

About the Opportunity

The West Virginia University Libraries is accepting applications for an Education Specialist for the American Congress Digital Archives Portal (ACDAP) project. This is a fully remote, 12-month term position funded by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The Education Specialist will report to the Associate Director of the West Virginia & Regional History Center (WVRHC).

The ACDAP is an innovative project digitizing and aggregating congressional archives from institutions around the country. The Education Specialist will search these digital resources and identify primary source content in the Portal to be used for instructional material and content appropriate for different grade levels (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12). They will plan, design, create, implement, and evaluate instructional materials and learning objects for the ACDAP in collaboration with the Project Director, Project Manager, and partner institutions.

Incorporating national standards and inquiry frameworks, the Education Specialist will identify key themes and events to support learning in civics, social studies, American history, and the history of the U.S. Congress using materials available in the Portal. They will create distinct thematic or event-based learning objects that may include guiding questions, learning objectives, lesson plans, and assessments that meet student instructional needs and accessibility guidelines.

In collaboration with the WVU Libraries Systems Department and contracted developers, the Education Specialist will contribute to the design of the ACDAP website to showcase learning objects, and they will help to share learning objects with appropriate external stakeholders where possible.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
  
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
  
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
  
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
  
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
  
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
  
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• The ACDAP is an innovative project digitizing and aggregating congressional archives from institutions around the country. The Education Specialist will search these digital resources and identify primary source content in the Portal to be used for instructional material and content appropriate for different grade levels (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12).
  
• They will plan, design, create, implement, and evaluate instructional materials and learning objects for the ACDAP in collaboration with the Project Director, Project Manager, and partner institutions.
  
• Incorporating national standards and inquiry frameworks, the Education Specialist will identify key themes and events to support learning in civics, social studies, American history, and the history of the U.S. Congress using materials available in the Portal.
  
• They will create distinct thematic or event-based learning objects that may include guiding questions, learning objectives, lesson plans, and assessments that meet student instructional needs and accessibility guidelines.
  
• In collaboration with the WVU Libraries Systems Department and contracted developers, the Education Specialist will contribute to the design of the ACDAP website to showcase learning objects, and they will help to share learning objects with appropriate external stakeholders where possible.

Master’s degree in education, history, museum studies, or a related field, with a focus on K-12 education and/or programming.
A minimum of one (1) year of experience in the following:
Planning, designing, creating, and evaluating instructional materials and learning objects with a focus on K-12
Creating learning objects for appropriate grade levels
Experience with HTML or web-authoring software, video creation and editing, and the ability to learn new applications
Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent organizational skills with aptitude for complex, detailed work
  
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan, lead, and implement projects
  
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex historical research into engaging educational content
  
• Ability to interact with people from different backgrounds
  
• Understanding of instructional design principles and methods and their implementation into instructional practice
  
• Understanding of national standards and frameworks for history and social studies education

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree or coursework in American History or Social Studies education
  
• Working knowledge of 20th century American History and the U.S. Congress
  
• Understanding of primary sources and primary source literacy frameworks and standards and their implementation in instructional practice
  
• Understanding of copyright and licensing