Research Foundation - Program Coordinator, Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)

Location: Syracuse, NY Category: Research Foundation Posted On: Tue Mar 3 2026 Job Description:

Title: Education Specialist

Descriptive Title: Program Coordinator, Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)

Unit: Academic Affairs

Part time grant-funded position; 20 hours per week; 5-year term (or whenever funding ceases)

Salary: $28,000 - $32,000 annually Depending on Qualifications

Brief description of duties:

SUNY ESF seeks to hire an Education Specialist to support and deliver services for 7th-12th grade students in the Syracuse City School District as part of the NYSED-funded Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP). The coordinator will help recruit students, design and implement age-appropriate programming, and maintain strong communication with families, schools, and established SCSD and ESF connections. The central focus of this role is working directly with students to support their academic progress, STEM engagement, and college preparation. Working with a team, the Education Specialist will also gather academic data, create surveys, and serve as a college application support point person. This position reports to the STEP Assistant Director.

Key Responsibilities:

Student Support & Programming

• Recruit, enroll, and retain student participants.
• Coordinate and deliver STEM outreach programs and age-appropriate enrichment activities.
• Provide direct support to 7th-12th grade students through:

• One-on-one meetings
• Academic advising
• College and career exploration workshops
• College application and financial aid support

• Implement student success plans in collaboration with teachers, counselors, and families.
• Offer translation and language support for ELL students, when possible.

Evaluation & Data

• Collect and track academic data to monitor student progress and identify support needs.
• Administer and analyze student surveys and family surveys to inform program design.
• Maintain accurate records related to tutoring recommendations, ESL needs, and student milestones.
• Contribute to program reports and retention efforts across the 5-year grant cycle.

Job Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or significant college-level coursework in STEM or Education
• One or more years of teaching, counseling, youth development, or student support experience
• Experience with lesson planning, facilitation, tutoring, mentoring, or other formal or informal educational settings
• Experience working with economically disadvantaged students
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with ability to communicate clearly, effectively and respectfully with diverse populations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with curriculum or program design in formal or informal learning environments
• Experience designing and administering surveys
• Experience advising, mentoring, or coaching students
• Experience using data to inform practice

Additional Information:

In accordance with the "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" institutions of higher education are required to prepare an annual report containing information on campus security policies and campus statistics. This report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by SUNY-ESF; and on property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a printed copy of this report by contacting SUNY-ESF University Police at 315-470-6667 or by accessing the following web site: https://www.esf.edu/safety/annual-security-reports.php

SUNY ESF is a Smoke and Tobacco Free campus and is dedicated to providing a healthy and safe environment for the entire campus. For more information you can visit our Tobacco and Smoke Free Policy at https://www.esf.edu/employees/policies/policy-smoking.php

As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics/genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law.

The Research Foundation for The State University of New York offers exceptional benefits such as healthcare, dental, vision, pension plans, competitive pay, generous paid time off, life insurance and long-term disability insurance.

The Research Foundation for the State University of New York is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. The Research Foundation for the State University of New York operates under a contract with The State University of New York and receives no directly appropriated state funding.