Director for the Community STEM Learning Center

Join the CBC team and help us transform students’ lives!

CBC is committed to our vision to be the educational home that transforms students' lives through economic and social mobility. We are one of eight Hispanic-Serving Institutions in Washington state with Hispanic students representing just under half of our student population. As such, CBC is committed to discovering and enacting innovative ways to intentionally serve Hispanic students while serving all. We center equity in all that we do and seek to attract and retain engaged individuals committed to helping all students be successful in accomplishing their goals.

CBC places a high value on the ability to communicate effectively across cultures, to implement culturally responsive teaching strategies, and model intercultural empathy. Experience in serving Hispanic students is not merely a preference — it is valued at Columbia Basin College. Advanced intercultural knowledge and skills among our faculty is essential to the success of our students and our institution as a whole.

El CBC está comprometido con nuestra visión de ser el hogar educativo que transforma las vidas de los estudiantes a través de la movilización económica y social. Somos una de ocho Instituciones al Servicio de los hispanos en el estado de Washington y los estudiantes hispanos representan un poco menos de la mitad de nuestra población estudiantil. Como tal, CBC se compromete a descubrir y crear formas innovadoras para servir intencionalmente a los estudiantes hispanos, mientras que al mismo tiempo sirve a todos los demás. Nos enfocamos en la equidad en todo lo que hacemos y buscamos atraer y retener individuos que se comprometan en ayudar a todos los estudiantes a tener éxito en el logro de sus metas.

El CBC le da un enorme valor a la habilidad de comunicarse efectivamente a través de culturas, para implementar estrategias de enseñanza culturalmente responsivas, y modelar empatía intercultural. La experiencia en servir a los estudiantes hispanos no es simplemente una preferencia, sino que es algo que se valora en el Columbia Basin College. El conocimiento y las aptitudes interculturales avanzadas entre nuestros profesores son esenciales para el éxito de nuestros estudiantes y de nuestra institución en su totalidad.

Find out more about our diverse and vibrant community! Visit Tri-Cities Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Benton-Franklin Trends

Here’s how you will support our mission

The Director for the Community STEM Learning Center will develop the Center as a recognizable and highly valuable contributor to STEM education and opportunities in the Tri-Cities. The Director for the Community STEM Learning Center will lead efforts to strengthen STEM educational opportunities and engagement on campus and within the Tri-Cities. This position is responsible for creating a vision and plan for implementing dynamic STEM programming, fostering partnerships with local organizations, higher education partners, school districts, and promoting access to STEM learning opportunities for all students in the Tri-Cities. The Director will serve as a collaborative and visionary leader, advocate, and a resource for STEM initiatives that drive workforce readiness in STEM fields and community engagement.

This position reports directly to the Vice President for Marketing & External Engagement.

The salary range for this position is $79,505- $87,882.

This position is receiving applications until July 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. The College will conduct initial interviews with selected candidates via Zoom and will conduct on-campus interviews with finalists.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop the vision and lead the strategies and operationalize STEM programming and experiences that support community and student engagement;
• Lead the Advisory Committee by setting agendas, facilitating productive collaboration, and ensuring board insights inform program development and community engagement;
• Build relationships with diverse faculty, staff, external stakeholders, local K-12 schools, STEM-related business and industry partners, and community groups to ensure inclusive STEM exhibits, programs, activities, and events;
• Develop a long-term plan to sustain STEM Center operations including pursuing and securing grants and funding opportunities to grow STEM Learning Center initiatives;
• Supervise STEM Learning Center staff, volunteers, and student interns;
• Monitor and assess program effectiveness through impact evidence including attendance, partners, programs, and budget data, through continuous evaluation and identification of areas for growth and strength;
• Partner with Marketing to develop annual plan for promotion of STEM resources and events targeted to key demographic audiences;
• Ensure facilities, equipment, and technology resources are maintained, updated, and inventoried on a regular basis;;
• Represent the STEM Learning Center at conferences, community forums, and professional development events; and
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an institutionally accredited college or university or equivalent combination of education and experience in a STEM field, education, public engagement, or related area;
• Experience designing and delivering educational or outreach programs for diverse audiences this may include paid roles, volunteer work, internships, or leadership in community initiatives;
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships with education partners in higher education and K-12, community groups, and industry organizations;
• Strong skills in both oral and written communication, project management, and community engagement; and
• Commitment to fostering equity, inclusion, and access in STEM education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in STEM education, nonprofit management, or a related field from an institutionally accredited college or university;
• Familiarity with community college settings or informal STEM learning environments such as maker spaces or science centers;
• Knowledge of current STEM education trends, workforce needs, and emerging technologies;
• Experience writing and managing grants or funding proposals;
• Bilingual in English and Spanish; and
• Comfort with using data to evaluate impact and improve programming.