The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has an exciting opening for a Coordinator, Education and Virtual Learning. The position is responsible for the development and coordination of AZA's virtual Professional Development and Education programs that directly benefit the AZA membership. This position will work closely with all AZA staff across departments and coordinate with the Coordinator, Professional Development and Training position. This position resides on the Member Services team and reports 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 AZA Professional Development virtual learning including webinars, workshops, and virtual courses, including scheduling, promotion, website updates, coordination of instructor teams, registration set-up and processing, creation and maintenance of virtual classrooms and courses, distribution and compilation of course evaluations, and virtual platform support during sessions.

•    Lead the management of AZA Learn, (LMS) including uploading content to the site, creating enrollment codes, managing registration, responding to inquiries, and creating asynchronous content.

•    Work with the Director of Professional Development & Education to create short and long-range plans for the Professional Development and Education Program, including the continuing assessment of the role and scope of virtual learning.

•    Function as the primary point of contact for all Education Annual Report on Conservation and Science (ARCS) reporting, including compiling, analyzing, presenting and writing the published Education ARCS report each year, as well as updating Education Survey Contacts in the AZA database and managing Education contact lists. As needed, gather data and write engaging pieces in the AZA Connect Magazine featuring Education Programming trends. 

•    As needed, assist with all aspects of the AZA Professional Development in-person courses including scheduling, registration set-up and processing, promotion, 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 hotel and transportation contracting and on-site course needs with host facility (i.e. catering, room set-up, technology needs, etc.). Up to 15 weeks of possible travel annually.

•    Liaise with and manage relationships with consultants, 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 and vendor reimbursements, refunds, and other invoice payments.

•    Work with members, consultants, and the Professional Development Committee to coordinate the consideration and development of new Professional Development courses, both in-person and virtual.

•    Communicate and work regularly with AZA Committees and other related groups as needed. This position may serve as a staff liaison for one of the AZA Committees, which includes attending all Committee calls and meetings at the AZA Annual and Mid-Year Conferences, assisting with the editing of call/meeting notes and reports for the AZA Board of Directors’ meetings, and managing the Committee calendar and resources, updating 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 other professional development, events, and membership team projects as needed. 

•    Moving and packing boxes and preparing shipments of collateral for Professional Development Courses.

•    Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:
•    Experience developing and/or facilitating virtual learning
•    Experience managing or facilitating professional development, education, or training programs for adult audiences, including assisting with curriculum design
•    Strong proficiency with technology, expert knowledge of Zoom, Microsoft Teams
•    Experience functioning as admin for an online learning management systems (LMS) strongly preferred
•    Enthusiasm to learn new skills and technologies
•    Familiarity with current best practices in conservation education and/or professional development
•    Experience working in a zoo, aquarium, or related organization is preferred
•    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 

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

About Association of Zoos and Aquariums

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. AZA represents more than 230 facilities in the United States and overseas, which collectively draw more than 200 million visitors every year. AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums meet the highest standards in animal care and welfare and provide a fun, safe, and educational family experience. In addition, they dedicate millions of dollars annually to support scientific research, conservation, and education programs. Visit www.aza.org to learn more.

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