Lead Program Manager, STEM

Lead Program Manager, STEM (0.5 FTE)

About the Schools Fund

The mission of the Berkeley Public Schools Fund (the Schools Fund) is to champion equitable public education for students, families and our community.

The Schools Fund is a small non-profit (currently 8 employees) that supports the Berkeley Unified School District, a medium-sized district with a diverse population of 10,000 students and 20 schools, through equity-focused programming. Our work centers students’ essential needs, safety and belonging, and love of learning through 4 core programs: educator grants, district-wide volunteer programs, STEM programming, and fiscal sponsorships.

The Schools Fund staff and board are deeply committed to reducing disparities in educational experiences and outcomes in Berkeley public schools.

About the Position

The Lead Program Manager, STEM is the strategy-focused leader of the K-12 Initiative to Close Opportunity Gaps in Berkeley Public Schools. This dynamic four-year-old initiative is a partnership between the Schools Fund, Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD), and Wareham Development. It leverages out-of-school-time to expand access to technology, engineering and design for students from underrepresented backgrounds from elementary to high school, and beyond.

Primary responsibilities include:

Program Oversight, Planning & Implementation

• Supervise the Schools Fund’s STEM Programs Manager, who in turn executes all aspects of the initiative’s foundational STEM programs (including Super Science Saturdays, Maker Camp, and Spring Break/Winter Break Camps)
  • Support foundational programs/program leaders on-site, as needed
• In partnership with BUSD CTE, develop, execute, and evaluate innovative STEM programming to diversify STEM and support student retention:
  • Establish, create curriculum for, and coordinate affinity-based STEM groups in middle schools, with an emphasis on girls and students of color interested in STEM
  • Support the diversification of middle school robotics teams
  • Strengthen bridges between middle and high school STEM affinity groups
  • Create/coordinate a high school girls STEM group
• Make adjustments to existing programming and/or create new programming in response to data evaluation

Program Finances & Fundraising

• Manage the overall STEM initiative budget (in partnership with the STEM Programs Manager, Director of Finance & Executive Director), including diverse funding sources and allocations
• Managing BUSD hiring and payroll for STEM educators through BUSD’s Informed K12 system and 3rd party contractors as needed
• Partner with the Schools Fund’s Development team in major STEM fundraising activities, including:
  • Collaboratively writing proposals for prospective donors and reports for existing donors
  • Meeting with donors and serving as the program spokesperson
  • Hosting various events for STEM donors (ie site visits/tours)

Program Impact & Storytelling

• Regularly update the STEM Programs logic model and ensure that programmatic data collection tools (ie surveys) are aligned to it
• Partner with the Schools Fund’s STEM & Communications team to capture imagery (photos/videos/interviews), metrics, and stories from STEM programs and collaboratively translate those into inspiring donor- and public-facing materials (newsletters, website, appeals, etc.)
• Partner with BUSD'’s Research, Evaluation & Assessment (BREA) department to determine STEM data priorities, tag participants in district software, and track student progress in STEM longitudinally
• Partner with Schools Fund events team to identify and prepare STEM students or educators to present at key events (i.e. Impact Showcase & Spring Luncheon)

Other

• Attend weekly team meetings, monthly strategy meetings, and mid-year and end-of-year work retreats
• Occasionally work outside of normal business hours as needed
• Support Schools Fund events as needed, including but not limited to: Principals Reception, Impact Showcase, Spring Luncheon

Required Qualifications

• Deeply aligned with the Schools Fund’s mission of equitable education and a demonstrated commitment to diversifying access for youth to STEM learning
• Minimum of 5 years of experience teaching/leading in at least one of the STEM disciplines at the middle or high school levels
  • Demonstrated ability to connect with STEM programs’ focal students (including students of color, English Learners, low-income youth, girls and gender-expansive youth)
  • Demonstrated ability to write high quality lesson plans and/or curricular sequences in STEM
• Minimum of 3 years of program management/leadership experience, including:
  • Experience managing budgets
  • Positive track record supervising employees with exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to connect well with non-traditional students and educators
  • Knowledge and skills in program evaluation, including:
    • Using logic models, designing qualitative/quantitative data collection tools; data analysis; and using data to inform instructional or programmatic shifts
  • Proven organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities at the same time
• Ease in identifying, documenting, and sharing inspiring program stories/testimonials
• Demonstrated ability to self-manage and also work in collaboration
• High level of maturity, discretion, and ability to handle confidential information
• A desire to keep learning about how STEM programs can continue to keep delivering on their promises for all students

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with grade level-appropriate STEM learning targets and standards
• Familiarity with any of the following (all of which are used in this role):
  • Technology - digital media (video production, sound engineering, graphic design), coding/robotics, circuitry/microelectronics, 3D modeling & fabrication
  • District Staff/Student Software - Informed K12, EduCLIMBER, Infinite Campus
  • Other - Google Suite
• An understanding of the differences between standards-based classroom learning, non-traditional classrooms (e.g., makerspaces, fabrication labs), and nonformal learning spaces (i.e. after school, summer school, etc.)

Job Requirements

• Constantly performing desk-based computer tasks
• Hybrid role, with at least 1 in-person day at the office per week
• Frequent travel to school sites within Berkeley (frequency will depend on season)
• Occasional travel to event sites within Berkeley
• Occasional evening hours
• Occasional need to carry equipment weighing up to 25 lbs

Compensation & Benefits

• $46-52/hour at 0.5 FTE (18.75 hrs/week) for a total of $44,850-$50,700/year
• Benefits package that includes:
  • 3 weeks of vacation (prorated) & standard sick time accrual;
  • 18 total paid federal + BUSD holidays (prorated);
  • 401k retirement fund option (no employer match)
• Flexible work schedule and location (option to work primarily from the office, primarily from remote or split, with at least 1 day/week in person in the office)
• The Schools Fund office is not far from North Berkeley BART, has easy access to free parking and public transportation, is close to bike paths/bike-friendly, and is in walking distance to great restaurants and Strawberry Creek Park
• Positive office culture and a shared value around work-life balance
• The opportunity to make a direct, positive impact on the students in Berkeley’s public schools

To Apply

Please submit a resume to info@schoolsfund.berkeley.net

Applications will be reviewed immediately and candidates with the best fit will be contacted for interviews. Unfortunately, the volume of applications will prevent us from responding to all applications received.

Timeline

Application open July 10 - August 7, 2026

Start Date: September 14, 2026

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AT THE SCHOOLS FUND

The Berkeley Public Schools Fund is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We also know that great candidates can bring skills that we haven’t thought of just yet, and who won’t fit everything we’ve described above. If this is you, don’t hesitate to apply. Tell us what unique contributions you can offer. We are dedicated to improving our organization and know that part of it means to better reflect the people we serve.

We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages and we especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities.

• Benefits package that includes:
  • 3 weeks of vacation (prorated) & standard sick time accrual;
  • 18 total paid federal + BUSD holidays (prorated);
  • 401k retirement fund option (no employer match)
• Flexible work schedule and location (option to work primarily from the office, primarily from remote or split, with at least 1 day/week in person in the office)
• The Schools Fund office is not far from North Berkeley BART, has easy access to free parking and public transportation, is close to bike paths/bike-friendly, and is in walking distance to great restaurants and Strawberry Creek Park
• Positive office culture and a shared value around work-life balance
• The opportunity to make a direct, positive impact on the students in Berkeley’s public schools

Fluency in spoken and written English

Spanish a plus.