Coordinator, Professional Development and Education

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has an exciting opening for a Coordinator, Professional Development and Education. The position is responsible for the coordination and facilitation of AZA's Professional Development and Education programs that directly benefit the AZA membership. This position will work closely with all AZA staff across departments, residing on the Member Services team and reporting to the Director, Professional Development and Education.

This position is based in Silver Spring, Maryland and is not a fully-remote position. The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Coordinate all aspects of the AZA Professional Development in-person courses including scheduling, promotion and website updates, coordination of instructor teams, preparation of all course materials, distribution and compilation of course evaluations, and on-site coordination. Collaborate with the AZA conferences and membership team to arrange registration set-up and processing, hotel and transportation contracting and on-site course needs with host facility (i.e. catering, room set-up, technology needs, etc.).
• Coordinate all aspects of AZA Professional Development virtual learning including webinars and virtual courses including scheduling, promotion and website updates, coordination of instructor teams, registration set-up and processing, creating and maintain virtual classroom platforms, distribution and compilation of course evaluations, and virtual platform support during sessions. 
• Work with the Director of Professional Development & Education to create short and long-range plans for the Professional Development Program, including the continuing assessment of the role and scope of virtual learning.
• Update content in a timely manner for all Professional Development and Education pages on the AZA website, association management database (AMS), relevant groups on the AZA Network, and information on the learning management system (LMS).
• Lead the management of AZA eLearning Portal (LMS) including uploading content to the site, creating enrollment codes, responding to inquiries, and creating asynchronous content as needed.
• Liaise with vendors and partners to ensure quality training experiences and product quality, continually assessing value and recommending changes as needed.
• Assist in the development and management of the Professional Development Program annual budget, including monitoring of revenues and expenses and reconciliation with accounting records throughout the year.
• Work with accounting staff to request, process, and track instructor reimbursements, refunds, and other invoice payments.
• Work with members and the Professional Development Committee to coordinate the consideration and development of new Professional Development courses, both in-person and virtual.
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Professional Development Committee, attending all calls and meetings at the AZA Annual and Mid-Year Conferences as needed.  Assist with the editing of call/meeting notes and reports for AZA Board of Directors’ meetings.  Manage the Professional Development Committee calendar and resources, update as needed. 
• Manage application, review, award, and recognition process for AZA Professional Development Scholarship program.
• Serve AZA members, instructors, staff and the public as front-line resource on AZA Professional Development Program.  Receive and respond to requests for information via mail, phone, and email.
• Work with relevant staff departments to develop and support professional development branding, programming and other initiatives as needed.
• Assist with application processes and management of Executive Leadership Development Program and AZA Committees as needed.
• Assist with conservation education initiatives and programming, as needed.
• 10-12 weeks of required travel annually.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience Required

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)

Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience managing or facilitating professional development, education, or training programs for adult audiences, including assisting with curriculum design
• Experience developing and/or facilitating virtual learning · Enthusiasm to learn new skills and technologies
• Familiarity with current best practices in conservation education and/or professional development
• Ability to establish effective working relationships
• Ability to work independently
• Demonstrated good judgment and strong decision-making skills
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion
• Strong written and verbal communications skills

Training and Experience:

• Minimum 3 years experience in the education/professional development or related work

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• 10-12 weeks of required travel annually.
• Moving and packing boxes and preparing shipments of collateral for Professional Development Courses.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. 

NOTE This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Further Comments

All employees must be up-to-date and fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, as permitted by law.

Perks

The current benefits program includes competitive health insurance options, life and disability insurance, paid vacation and sick time off, and participation in the AZA Retirement Plan (a safe harbor 401(k) plan, in which you will begin to accrue employer contributions as of your start date). AZA's remote work policy allows for recurring remote work in coordination with supervisor.

Salary

Starting salary is $51,500 (fulltime-exempt).

How to apply:

Please email resume and cover letter to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, attention Melissa Howerton, SVP, Member Services.
No phone calls please.

Association of Zoos and Aquariums
8403 Colesville Road, Suite 710
Silver Spring, MD 20910