North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Hiring for Instructor of Mentorship and Research – Temporary at Morganton, NC  Full Time

POSITION LOCATION: NCSSM – Morganton

DEPARTMENT: Mentorship and Research

POSITION TYPE: Temporary FT, FLSA Exempt

HIRING SALARY RANGE: Commensurate with education and experience

NCSSM and the Academic Programs Department foster an environment of collaboration across departments and divisions and support community-engaged service and research. NCSSM is proud of the diversity of its student body and we seek to attract an equally diverse applicant pool for this position. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. If you are an individual with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process, please contact us at [email protected].

Description of Duties:

Position reports to the Director of Mentorship and Research in Academic Programs and is responsible for serving as instructor in the Mentorship Program. The Mentorship Program at NC School of Science and Mathematics is in its 40th year and is recognized for its unique mix of over 100 volunteer mentors that provide research opportunities for students while NCSSM instructors provide the instruction necessary for high school students to approach research with confidence, professionalism, and self-reliance. The local research scholars and professionals serve as students’ research mentors in various areas of specialization (including STEM, Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities), while the NCSSM instructor serves as a facilitator/coach focused on guiding and assessing students’ development of critical thinking as a proactive participant in research and development of personal success skills to accomplish goals, collaborate, and navigate unfamiliar situations in professional environments. Examples of student assignments include: resumes/cover letters, research proposals, oral presentation targeted to a broad audience.

The temporary full-time position is responsible for providing instruction of online and residential students in the Mentorship Program courses (Foundations in Research, Senior Research, Engage to Impact) and the Summer Mentorship program; leading co-instructors/teaching assistants for Mentorship; serving as a primary contact and support for online student engagement in research and innovation; supporting the mission of the Mentorship and Research office to build community that advances equity, diversity, and inclusion in research and innovation; cultivate growth and development of thinkers/makers/doers to identify as leaders and engaged citizens; and facilitate safety and efficient systems to ensure long term success for our community and beyond.

General duties include: serve as an instructor working with students in face-to-face and online environments to facilitate and assess development of professional and personal success skills as well as communication skills of high school 11th and 12th grade students who are participating in research with off-campus mentors including 2-3 hours in the evening per week; develop and communicate to students clear course objectives and goals with emphasis on development of research and professional/personal skills in a wide range of fields including STEM and social sciences/arts/humanities; deliver an instructional program that is inclusive of all students and effectively prepares students to take ownership of their experience; attend and run instructor meetings, lead co-instructors and teaching assistants; lead webinars that support research and innovation programs at NCSSM (evening events); hold office hour sessions as outlined by the course/program; regularly monitor and evaluate students’ progress, provide students with resources and feedback on their performance; attend and prepare students to communicate effectively for competitions/conferences; participate in 5-7 one day weekend events per year; structure and manage an environment conducive to learning; model for students responsibility to self and others; effectively collaborate with others; follow the School’s philosophy, policies, and procedures; attend team, faculty, and staff meetings; participate in professional development and personal intellectual growth activities.

Participate in one or more of the following activities: provide information, service, and expertise to other schools and organizations (professional outreach); assist students on special projects, independent or individual study, and seminar-based studies; provide assistance for school sponsored programs and extracurricular activities.

Teaching and/or research experience; strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills; experience in use of educational technology; experience engaging students in the virtual classroom, and willingness to participate in residential school programs including social, recreational, and advisory responsibilities at times other than usual school hours.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience engaging students in a virtual classroom; teaching experience with advanced secondary students; research and mentoring experience; interest in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion; ability to work with students in a facilitating/coaching role; expertise in personal and professional skill development; and enthusiasm to provide instruction and office hours for synchronous and online distance learning courses for a minimum of 4 hours/ 2 days a week in the evening per week along with 2 hours/1 day of instructional time during the day.

Master’s degree. 2 years research experience in STEM, Social Sciences, Arts, or Humanities.

About NCSSM:

(NCSSM) challenges academically talented students from across the state with a comprehensive curriculum including highly specialized courses in science, technology, engineering/computer science, and mathematics. NCSSM opened in 1980 as something of an academic experiment: Would something excellent happen if we gathered together a highly motivated and diverse student body with a critical mass of equally motivated, accomplished, credentialed, and diverse faculty within a space dedicated to the power of the scientific method? Four decades later, NCSSM has built a firmly rooted reputation as an academic powerhouse, educating intellectually gifted students from every corner of the state, representing rural and urban communities, and all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. Eleven states and several countries worldwide have since used NCSSM as the model for their own programs.

Today, as in 1980, the mission of NCSSM, an intellectually stimulating, diverse, inclusive, and collaborative community, is to:

• educate and nurture academically talented students to become state, national, and global leaders,

• increase access to high quality public education in North Carolina, and

• cultivate engaged citizens who will work for the betterment of the world,

through challenging programs, with an emphasis on STEM, driven by the pursuit of excellence and innovation.

Altogether, nearly 1,500 North Carolina students from all 14 congressional districts and nearly all 100 counties are enrolled in one of our three signature programs: our residential diploma program, our online certificate program or our Open Enrollment Distance Education program. Our Open Enrollment courses, taught via interactive video conferencing, expand local offerings to include enrichments and advanced coursework otherwise unavailable in students’ home communities. NCSSM instructors teach live to classrooms statewide daily, broadcasting more synchronous video than any other public provider in the state.

In 2022, NCSSM expanded to an additional campus in Morganton, NC. Funded by the Connect NC Bond, legislative appropriations, and private philanthropic gifts, the campus will initially accommodate 300 additional residential diploma program students as well as increased distance education enrollment.

NCSSM has more than 11,000 alumni, nearly all of whom attended colleges and universities (a great majority within our own top NC public universities) and nearly three-quarters of whom have earned or are seeking a graduate degree. According to a 2019 survey of alumni who attended the school between 1980 and 2018, 64 percent of NCSSM college graduates earned a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field — over three times the national average for high school graduates. And 58 percent of NCSSM underrepresented minority (URM) graduates earn an undergraduate degree in a STEM field — nearly four times the national average for URM students. A 2020 economic impact study found that 54 percent of our alumni continue to live and work in North Carolina, catalyzing nearly $1.3 billion in economic activity and making priceless contributions to our quality of life as teachers, physicians, scientists, entrepreneurs and other community leaders. Many of our graduates, the oldest of whom are in their mid-50s, refer to their time at NCSSM as “life-changing” and continue to support their alma mater with charitable gifts, volunteerism, and other purposeful engagement.

Our school is a full constituent of the University of North Carolina System and is governed and supported by the UNC Board of Governors, NCSSM Board of Trustees, NCSSM Foundation, NCSSM Alumni Association, NCSSM Parent Association, NCSSM Faculty Senate, NCSSM Staff Senate, and NCSSM Student Government Association. Notably, a representative from each of our Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, and Student Government Association serve as ex-officio, non-voting members of our Board of Trustees.

NCSSM operates as a free public school open to qualified NC students, regardless of financial means. We generate more than 10 percent of our institutional budget from private donations, a ratio that will likely increase as we undertake a comprehensive fundraising campaign.

Consistent with our founding and governance, the institution is guided by a standing . Though goals may shift from time to time, our core beliefs have remained fundamentally unchanged since our establishment:

Our greatest resource is the capability and creative capacity of the human mind. Everyone is unique and has intrinsic value. Diversity and inclusion enrich and strengthen lives and communities. Embracing challenges inspires growth, and the pursuit of excellence.Individuals are responsible for their choices and actions. With opportunity, support, and effort all people can realize their full potential. A nurturing community develops the well-being of the whole person. Service to others builds and strengthens our community. Environmental stewardship and resource sustainability are a shared responsibility. A passion for learning throughout life leads to success and fulfillment. Collaboration fosters learning, ignites innovation, and cultivates community. Adhering to high ethical standards is essential for a community to function and flourish. Access to high quality public education is essential to a free, democratic society.

How to Apply:

Submit an electronic application via: . Please create an account, search for the Instructor of Mentorship and Research position vacancy, and submit the online application.

Please complete your application in full. All required Competencies, Work History, and Credentials must appear on the application in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application to receive consideration during the selection process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the State Application form in its entirety. “See Attached Resume or an Embedded Text Resume” will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

*When applying, please include a CV, cover letter, and statement of teaching philosophy.

Applicants seeking Veteran’s preference must attach a DD-214 form, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the application. Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require a motor vehicle check. If the highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree equivalency verified at or equivalent service. NCSSM participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Please refrain from submitting multiple applications. However, if multiple applications are submitted to a posting, only the most recent application received prior to the posting close date will be accepted. There is a 24 hour waiting period before an applicant can re-apply to a position.

If you have questions, please contact Tonya Little, Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Programs, at

NCSSM is an EEO/eVerify/VEVRAA Employer