Director of Civic Education

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is seeking a dynamic, motivated, and engaging individual with experience in primary or secondary education to serve as the Director of Civic Education for the court’s newly established Learning Center. The Director of Civic Education will be responsible for facilitating the creation, development, and launch of the Learning Center.  This position will play a critical role in the development and execution of civic education programs sponsored by the court in an effort to increase the understanding of the principles and history of the Federal Judiciary and the Federal Circuit among local teachers and students. 

The primary focus of this role is to manage the circuit’s Learning Center while overseeing the development and delivery of suitable primary and secondary curricular programs focusing on the history, structure, and operation of federal courts and the judicial branch of government, as well as the Federal Circuit’s ties to STEM and our historic properties.  The incumbent plans, designs, and maintains online content for use by teachers, students and the public, developing content about the federal courts, their mission and their structure, both as stand-alone materials and in support of school visits to the court.  The position also acts as a community liaison between the court and the local educational community.  This position reports directly to the Circuit Librarian.

Responsibilities of the Director of Civic Education may include but are not limited to:

• Learning Center Management:  Facilitate and participate in the creation of the Learning Center’s educational curriculum, while maintaining a student-centered approach to the design and development.  Develop online content devoted to judicial education, with sections aimed at students and teachers.  Oversee the regular review of curricular materials, to include lesson plans, digital resources, and tour scripts, making revisions as necessary.  Monitor and update exhibits, displays, multimedia, and interactive content.  Collaborate with circuit library staff on the development of exhibits and displays, as well as the acquisition of materials and historic artifacts.  Manage all aspects of Learning Center tours and content delivery, including arranging tours and programming for local students, educators, and other public visitors; coordinating with other court units regarding security and physical access matters; developing tour materials and scripts; maintaining a roster and schedule of staff tour guide volunteers; and, coordinating with chambers to schedule judges to speak with tour groups. Work with teachers and group leaders on the pre- and post-lesson plans for the visits. Develop recommendations for program improvement.  Conceptualize and contribute to new Learning Center initiatives.

• Outreach and Communication:  Develop and maintain professional contacts with local schools, school systems, and educators to promote awareness of the Federal Circuit Learning Center and its judicial education programming.  Utilize social media and other networking tools to build and share knowledge about the Learning Center.  Create outreach materials in both print and electronic format. Coordinate outreach efforts and materials with the court’s public information office.  Develop content for the community outreach and public education webpages on the court’s website. Build relationships with teachers and education professionals who can advise and collaborate on curriculum. Participate in local and nationwide networks with other courts and law-related civic education groups. Maintain professional working relationships and collaborate with public affairs/public education specialists at the Administrative Office of the US Courts (AO) and the Federal Judicial Center (FJC).  Interact and respond effectively to requests for information from internal and external stakeholders.  Plan and execute visits to the courthouse by judicial officers, off-site court staff, international visitors, and VIPs.  Coordinate with the bar association in arranging and hosting the events.

Required Qualifications

Education

Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. 

Specialized Experience 

• CL 28 ($75,343 – $122,483): At a minimum, candidates must possess one year of specialized experience which provided the opportunity to acquire a thorough knowledge of the basic concepts, principles, policies, practices, and theories of educational programming.
• CL 29 ($89,598 – $145,641): At a minimum, candidates must possess two years of specialized experience which provided the opportunity to acquire a thorough knowledge of the basic concepts, principles, policies, practices, and theories of educational programming.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in childhood or adult education or closely related field.
• Prior experience in primary or secondary education curriculum development, particularly with a focus on social studies or STEM.
• Knowledge of national and state civics and social studies standards and requirements.  

Required Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to unanticipated needs and problems and to manage multiple tasks and priorities, often with conflicting deadlines.
• Ability to think independently and work cooperatively in an office environment.
• Broad knowledge of community-based learning, civic engagement, and student development.
• Experience creating and implementing small and large-scale educational programs and events for teachers and/or students.
• Knowledge of and experience with SharePoint Online, Microsoft Office 365, and Adobe Acrobat.

Application Process and Information

To be considered application packages must include:

1. Cover letter of no more than two pages, wherein the applicant describes the knowledge, skills, abilities, and or experience that would make the candidate well qualified to fill this position.
2. Résumé outlining educational background, employment history, and other relevant information.
3. Completion of the online AO-78, Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment. 
4. Completion of the online aptitude test and personality test.

Once you have the cover letter and résumé (items 1 and 2 above) readily accessible in PDF format, follow the below link to submit your files and complete the online AO-78 and online tests (items 3 and 4 above): https://www.ondemandassessment.com/link/index/JB-YF0741Y0I?u=116354

Applicants who require an exception to the online application may contact Human Resources to request an alternate method using the following email: hr@cafc.uscourts.gov. Applications submitted to this email address will not be reviewed.

Benefits Information

The candidate selected for this position will be eligible for a generous federal employee benefits package which includes: 

• Paid vacation and sick leave, paid parental leave, and 11 paid federal holidays per year.
• Optional participation in Federal Employees Health Benefits plans (health, dental and vision); Federal Employees Group Life Insurance; Flexible Benefits Program; Long-Term Care Insurance.
• Public transportation subsidy, on-site fitness center, Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Optional participation in Thrift Savings Plan (up to 5% employer matched contributions).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness program pursuant to the term of the (PSLF) program.
• Additional benefits information can be found at https://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits. 

Additional Information

Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted and must travel at their own expense. Reimbursement for relocation is not available. The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this announcement, commence interviews immediately, withdraw the announcement, or fill the position at any time, any of which actions may occur without notice.

The position will report to downtown Washington, DC; however, telework may be available on an ad hoc basis and/or according to agency policy. Employees of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit are excepted service appointments. Federal government civil service classifications or regulations do not apply. All offers of employment are provisional pending successful completion of a background check or investigation and a favorable employment suitability determination. This position is subject to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.

Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States. Non-citizens may be interviewed and considered for employment, but employment offers will only be made to individuals who qualify under one of the exceptions in 8 U.S.C.§ 1324b(a)(3)(B). Under 8 U.S.C.§1324b(a)(3)(B), a lawful permanent resident seeking citizenship may not apply for citizenship until he or she has been a permanent resident for at least five years (three years if seeking naturalization as a spouse of a citizen), at which point he or she must apply for citizenship within six months of becoming eligible, and must complete the process within two years of applying (unless there is a delay caused by the processors of the application). Non-citizens who have not been permanent residents for five years will be required to execute an affidavit that they intend to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is an Equal Opportunity Employer.