Tools for Teachers Coordinator

This position works remotely requiring a telecommuting agreement and adherence to the UCSC Telecommuting/Remote Work Guidelines. The employee shall be available in a full-time capacity during assigned telecommuting work hours (specific hours to be discussed with supervisor). While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working at the regular UCSC worksite.

NO VISA SPONSORSHIP IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 10/22/2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is a public agency supported by 12 (states and territories). Through the work of thousands of educators, Smarter Balanced created an online assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), as well as tools for educators to improve teaching and learning. Smarter Balanced is housed at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Silicon Valley Extension.

Our work is guided by the belief that a high-quality assessment system can provide information and tools for teachers and schools to improve instruction and help students succeed, regardless of disability, language, or subgroup. We involve experienced educators, researchers, state and local policymakers, and community groups working together in a transparent and consensus-driven process.

UCSC Extension provides professional training that reflects the academic rigor of the University of California and the hands-on, roll-up-your-shirtsleeves practicality of Silicon Valley culture. Developed with guidance from key industry leaders and academic experts, our certificate programs match the economic demand of your industry, from engineering to business, education to bioscience. The University of California reviews and approves UCSC Extension courses and programs for academic content, merit, and instructor qualifications. Many of our courses may be applied toward degree programs or may be eligible for professional certificates and licenses.

More information can be found at https://smarterbalanced.org

JOB SUMMARY

The Tools for Teachers Coordinator uses skills of instructional design and multimedia development as an experienced professional to help support teams in creating K-12 math and English language arts supplemental curricular and formative assessment content into coherent instructional modules for educators to use best practices in classroom instruction and best practices in adult education. The work requires a deep knowledge of K-12 instructional pedagogy, excellent writing / editing skills, and technical skills related to learning management systems, assessment systems, communication tools, streaming media platforms, and multimedia creative applications to contribute to the creation of teacher resources that serve as the "what's next" answer to Smarter assessments.

This position applies a high degree of collaboration and diplomacy, as well as problem analysis and creative thinking, in supporting our educator-managed resource writing processes, reviewing resources, and writing new resources. Collaboration involves the Tools for Teacher team, Accessibility, Content, and Assessment team, as well as the technology team.

The Coordinator helps manage complex content or delivery-related issues in collaboration with technical and Tools for Teachers teams and interacts with senior internal / external executives and customers / members to identify and respond to educator needs. The incumbent must analyze and understand content standards and adhere to curriculum development best practices, including aligning the organization's goals on equity and inclusion. Understands concepts of learning design of resources (repeatable formats for ease of use) and develops material creatively within established designs, as well as proposes new ones.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $79,970 - $85,550/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 006148 (INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER 3) - Grade 21

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

60% - Educator Resource Development

• Works refining existing educator resources, including lesson plans, professional learning resources, multimedia content, including interactive learning activities, video, and other media.
• Applies professional instructional design skills to articulate learning design, contribute to new resources with prototypes / quality guidelines, apply learning objectives / outcomes, include supportive learning activities and assessments, and select appropriate tools to achieve organizational goals.
• Reviews member-managed and contractor-written educator resources for adherence to quality guidelines, standards alignment, developmental appropriateness, and instructional best practices to produce high-quality materials. Provides diplomatic feedback and problem-solves potential solutions.
• Works in a collaborative manner with others in a diverse environment and at all levels in the organization with diplomacy and tact to prioritize work assignments, conduct analysis, participate effectively in cross-functional workstreams, and develop recommendations.
• Deploys content on learning management platforms according to training guidelines.
• Trains educators in Smarter Balanced authoring systems, best practices, and quality guidelines to support the member-managed writing process.
• Monitors and reviews vendor work products related to writing, editing, and producing online educational resources.
• Attends member-managed writing workshops and committee meetings to manage membership input, guidance, and feedback for Tools for Teachers.

30% - Educator Resource Design and Planning

• Consults with the Tools for Teachers team to incorporate strategies that promote accessibility and inclusion, student engagement, and deeper learning that embraces the full breadth and depth of content standards.
• Provides support for tracking and monitoring the diversity of literature selection, documenting copyright, and sourcing media.
• Conducts appropriate job and task analyses in the context of instructional design to contribute to project plans.
• Actively seeks out knowledge of new and emerging learning technologies.
• Evaluates current Tools for Teachers educator resources to identify future development needs, alignment to guidelines, and learning design, and proposes new resource types.

10% - Support for Tools for Teachers Team

• Helps build and track projects by setting up planning documents and file structures.
• Supports the back-end system where the content of Tools for Teachers is managed.
• Provides logistical and live support for internal and external virtual presentations.
• Handles process duties around communications and contracts.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Experience in creating content in an online learning management system.
• Demonstrated experience in providing math instruction to students in elementary, middle, or high school, or equivalent training (K-12 instruction).
• Experience ensuring that organizational practices, services, and behaviors support and promote collaboration among staff.
• In your most recent position, engaged in work necessary to address the terms of a contract either as a direct service provider or part of an organization that provides products and services.
• Thorough knowledge of K-12 pedagogy and ability to apply concepts to learning designs and teacher resource development.
• Thorough knowledge of instructional design principles and learning strategies, including needs analysis, backwards design, learning outcomes and assessment design, and instructional approaches, including whole class, small group, and independent learning modalities, as well as online interactive functionality.
• Thorough knowledge of the workflow of an educator's day and ability to articulate how materials best meet educators' practical needs.
• Thorough knowledge of industry policies and procedures, including policies regarding online materials development and supporting a diversity of learners.
• Thorough knowledge of e-learning strategies, including interactivity types, item types, and best practices in designing downloadable materials.
• Thorough knowledge of the technical tools and platforms required to achieve the delivery of engaging and media-rich online learning content, and of trends in the use and effectiveness of educational technology and learning.
• Strong understanding of formative assessment, specifically the use of data to guide instructional steps.
• Knowledge of basic tenets of professional learning for educators.
• Knowledge to conduct appropriate job and task analyses in the context of instructional design of technical or specialized training.
• Understanding of how state education agencies and/or school districts operate.
• Strong written communication skills with outstanding editing skills.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Thorough analytical skills to conduct analyses of current Tools for Teachers offerings, standards alignment, and resource gap to develop recommendations.
• Demonstrated organizational and problem-solving skills that support analysis, work prioritization, and content development tracking.
• Advanced-level skills in the application of planning, resourcing, and monitoring of effective learning design life cycle educational solutions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Outstanding collaboration and negotiation skills that support cross-functional workflows; managing resource writing and editing; and successful interactions with customers / members.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• This is a fully remote position, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy covering all employees. To be compliant with the policy, covered employees must submit proof of vaccination or have an approved exception or deferral, eight (8) weeks from date of hire.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.