Instructor Assistant / Assistant STEAM Teacher

Available Immediately

Primary Work Location: Camp San Luis Obispo

Reports to: Program Director, CPT Chad Wright

Degree Required: no

Posting Date: September 23, 2025

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About STARBASE

STARBASE is a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) program that is designed to provide 5th grade students from Title I schools with experiential STEAM learning opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable to them. There are currently 81 STARBASE programs in operation across the United States and territories, and six in California. More information about DoD STARBASE is available at https://dodstarbase.org/

About STARBASE San Luis Obispo

At STARBASE San Luis Obispo (STARBASE SLO), we create an engaging environment where students explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through real-world experiments, teamwork, and discovery. Launched in early 2025, STARBASE San Luis Obispo is one of California’s newest STARBASE programs. As a startup site, we bring fresh energy and creativity to building an engaging STEAM learning environment for fifth-grade students from Title I schools. Our growing team is collaborative, mission-driven, and excited to shape a program that combines the proven STARBASE model with local innovation, giving students hands-on opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

About The Oaks Center for Educational Advancement

The Oaks Center for Educational Advancement partners with schools and educational programs to strengthen teaching by supporting the people who do the work. We provide human resources, payroll, and program management services that allow instructors and mentors to focus on teaching and learning. In addition to our role in teacher placement and HR support, we design professional development workshops, consult on teacher induction programs, and create mentor training and resources. Our work combines practical tools with responsive program management so educators can succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Position Overview

The Oaks Center is hiring an Assistant STEAM Instructor to join our teaching team at STARBASE San Luis Obispo.

The Assistant STEAM Instructor at STARBASE San Luis Obispo (SLO) teaches STEAM methodology and promotes discovery, exploration, and problem-solving through Project-Based Learning. At STARBASE SLO, we are deeply committed to using Arts and Design integration strategies to differentiate instruction and promote the value and importance of Arts in our STEAM curriculum.

Responsibilities

The Assistant STEAM Instructor accepts all responsibilities as specified in the Education Laws and Statutes of the State of California, Laws and Regulations of the United States, the policies, rules, and regulations established by the DoD STARBASE Instruction and Standards, Objectives, and Activities Manual, and the STARBASE SLO Employee Handbook:

• Support lead instructors in delivering daily lessons and activities.
• Plan, prepare, and deliver STEAM instruction using the DoD STARBASE Standards, Objectives, and Activities Manual, Project-Based Learning and Collaborative Education in conjunction with Next Generation Science Standards, federal law, state law, and the school’s mission, vision, and values
• Use relevant technology effectively to support and differentiate instruction
• Manage and maintain student behavior in the classroom
• Participate in mandatory DoD STARBASE training
• Abide by the requirements specified in the STARBASE San Luis Obispo Employee Handbook
• Work with small student groups to reinforce learning and maintain engagement
• Prepare, set up, and clean up experiments, labs, and instructional activities
• Help maintain classroom management, student safety, and a positive learning environment
• Supervise students during transitions, lunch, and outdoor activities
• Contribute to program improvement by offering creative ideas and solutions
• Participate in staff training, planning, and professional development
• Attend a minimum of two community events per school year

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and/or teaching in an educational, camp, or youth program setting, with the ability to manage groups of students with patience, positivity, and consistency
• Strong instructional, teamwork, and classroom management skills, including the ability to team teach with a Lead Teacher and occasionally take the lead on instruction (with supervision)
• Demonstrated STEM/STEAM content knowledge and curriculum development and design experience
• Understanding of effective evaluation and assessment techniques to support student learning
• Strong interpersonal communication and relationship-building skills, including public speaking in assemblies, outreach, and classroom settings
• Passion and commitment to student success, with high energy, enthusiasm, and a genuine dedication to inspiring young learners
• Team-oriented and flexible mindset, with optimism, adaptability, willingness to go above and beyond, and openness to feedback and professional growth
• Organized, dependable, and professional, with a public-facing mindset as a representative of STARBASE SLO both during instructional hours and in the broader community
• Local residency or willingness to relocate to the Paso Robles–Santa Maria/Orcutt area

Preferred Qualifications

• Background and experience in teaching or youth leadership
• Knowledge of Project-Based Learning
• Ability to effectively implement evidence-based best practices in education
• Experience creating or leading curriculum activities
• Public speaking and outreach experience
• Self-motivated with a passion for expertise, learning and growth
• Collaboration and independence in contributing positively to a professional team environment
• Strong organizational skills and professional appearance
• Reliability in consistently meeting expectations for timeliness, communication, and task completion
• Adaptability in changing plans, priorities, and circumstances
• Demonstrated initiative and resourcefulness in problem-solving and program support
• Enthusiasm and positive energy to engage and motivate students and colleagues
• Attentiveness to responsibilities and responds promptly to tasks and needs
• Innovation and creativity in contributing ideas and solutions that enhance program effectiveness.

Physical Demands

• Ability to move throughout the office, classroom, and campus, and to demonstrate and facilitate projects and experiential learning.
• Duties may require extended periods of standing and walking.
• Desk work involves sitting with forward bending, use of forearms, and neck flexion when looking down.
• Fine motor skills are needed to grasp and manipulate items such as pens, markers, scissors, and staplers, either occasionally or frequently depending on the day.
• The role may also require occasional climbing or balancing on stepladders.
• Use of equipment such as computers, overhead projectors, and interactive whiteboards may be required, which can involve applying up to 10 pounds of force to push or pull a projector stand and up to 5 pounds of force to move an overhead projector.
• Operating equipment may also require forward bending, squatting, or kneeling.

Work Environment

This position takes place in a variety of environments, including offices, classrooms, and outdoor settings. Work conditions may involve exposure to heat or cold, as well as fumes, odors, or dust. Noise levels range from moderate to loud.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to inspire and impact young learners in an internationally recognized STEM/STEAM program.
• Collaborative, fun, and mission-driven team environment
• Training and professional development provided
• Competitive compensation and benefits package

How to Apply

Visit the job listing at https://oakseducationcenter.com/2025/09/23/instructor-assistant-assistant-steam-teacher/ and then fill out the Employment Pre-Application at the Oaks Center for Educational Advancement website.