Education Project Manager

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular (FTR)

LOCATION: Oak Ridge, TN

SALARY RANGE: $73,195.20 - $101,821.20

PURPOSE:

Are you passionate about fostering the next generation of scientists, researchers, and innovators? Do you thrive in dynamic environments that involve collaboration, coordination, and strategic planning? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to make a meaningful impact in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workforce development (WD)!

As an Education Project Manager, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing and advancing research participation programs designed for postdoctoral, postgraduate, graduate, undergraduate, precollege students and educators, and university faculty. These programs include research participation appointments, fellowships, and internships aimed at connecting talented individuals across all academic levels with valuable opportunities to contribute to their learning and development.

You will engage in multiple aspects of project management to ensure programs run smoothly, meet quality standards, and deliver exceptional experiences for participants, mentors, sponsors, and stakeholders.

With a focus on innovation, you will play an active role in advancing the directorate's AI modernization efforts by supporting the integration of AI tools and technologies into workflows and operational processes.

This role also offers opportunities to lead new program initiatives, prepare proposals, and position the organization as a leader in STEM-WD. If you’re ready to make an impact, foster innovation, and help shape the future of research participation programs, this position is for you!

• Provide project management for ongoing programs to ensure that all activities are conducted in a timely manner and meet quality expectations. This includes interacting with applicants and participants, mentors, laboratory administrators, and program sponsors in response to questions and to provide programmatic and other requested information.
• Plan and manage applicant recruiting approaches for assigned programs. This involves developing outreach/promotional strategies, preparing program announcements/flyers, and participating in professional meetings, conferences, campus fairs, etc. for recruiting purposes.
• Monitor program funding documents and costs to ensure that expenditures meet the specifications of the funding document and program statement of work and meet the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) and federal policies and procedures. 
• Maintain databases to monitor funding approvals and availabilities to match participant appointment obligations. This includes preparing, developing, and monitoring program budgets to meet budget targets.
• Serve as the back-up to the Associate Manager and other Project Managers during absences from the workplace. 
• Represent the group, STEM-WD, and ORISE on various committees and professional societies, and at national meetings and public forums. 
• Actively participate by leading a specific activity or event for one or more internal ORISE teams/committees, especially those promoting participant engagement and support of STEM-WD mission and operations and the Annual Lab Plan.
• Assist Associate Manager, other Project Managers, and other ORISE management staff in program development activities and implement/manage new programs.
• Prepare proposals for new programs. This includes identifying and qualifying new areas for program initiatives and positioning STEM-WD as the organization most likely to win targeted new business.
• Provide suggestions to the program specialists to determine daily priorities.
• Must actively contribute to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) modernization initiatives of the directorate by supporting the integration and implementation of AI tools and technologies into workflows and other operational processes. This includes identifying opportunities where AI can enhance efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making, while fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure seamless adoption. By embracing AI-driven solutions, employees play a critical role in advancing the directorate's strategic objectives and positioning the organization as a leader in leveraging emerging technologies for improved performance and outcomes.
• Work with the Associate Manager and other Project Managers to establish standards of performance and implement quality control measures. This includes Formulating, preparing and delivering reports, briefs, evaluations and other materials.

Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, scientific, technical, education or related field and 4-6 years of job-related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience performing duties as described may be substituted for the minimum requirements. A PhD in a STEM-field is preferred.

• Must have experience in working with the university community of faculty, students, and postgraduates including academic research activities and student research training needs to effectively design, implement, and operate programs that match these needs.
• To understand the issues and trends in academic studies and research, the selected candidate must have experience in working with federal agencies, laboratories, and organizations involved in education and academic research.
• Must possess the ability to develop effective working relationships with a wide array of participant types, mentors, sponsors, federal agencies, and professional organizations.
• Must have knowledge of policies, requirements, and procedures involved in the recruiting, application processing, and selection of applicants as well as the administrative tasks related to providing payments to or for, and support to, participants.
• Must possess the ability to understand, develop, and implement AI technologies to solve complex problems, optimize processes, and enhance decision-making. This includes understanding AI concepts, ethical considerations, and the ability to interpret and apply to real-world challenges.
• Knowledge of effective, cost-efficient methods including web and social media tools to recruit large numbers of highly qualified, diverse applicants is required. 
• In-depth knowledge of technology tools for data management, modeling, forecasting, and reporting purposes is desired.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, customer relations/customer service skills and advanced computer skills (proficient in the use of MS Office Applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint; and knowledge of Web publishing, SharePoint and database applications) is required.
• Must be familiar with the various tasks in science education/research experience participant programs.

*The candidate’s starting salary will be determined upon hire and ORAU will use salary survey data, internal comparators, and the candidate’s qualifications to determine salary.

TOTAL REWARDS:

ORAU has a strategic approach to providing total rewards to employees through a fair, equitable, and competitive total compensation package. The goal of our total rewards system is to integrate compensation, benefits, work-life balance, performance, recognition, development, and career opportunities to attract, engage, and retain the talent required to achieve ORAU’s business objectives. The benefit component of our total rewards program supports business goals by offering the following benefits based on employee eligibility:

• Legally required benefits
• Group Health insurance including: Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision
• Retirement plan contribution matching
• Disability insurance
• Group life insurance
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Section 125 reimbursement accounts
• Other voluntary employee paid benefit and insurance offerings

The ORAU total reward package also promotes work-life balance. Mindful of the need for employees to care for themselves and their families, ORAU offers the following additional work-life benefits based on employee eligibility:

• Telework
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Flexible work schedules or compressed work weeks
• Occupational Health and Wellness Programs
• Employee Assistance Program