Coordinator, Professional Development & Training

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is seeking a Coordinator, Professional Development & Training to support our Professional Development and Education team within the Member Services department. This role coordinates in-person training programs that directly benefit AZA’s members, including course logistics, instructor onboarding, scholarship administration, and LMS support. It also serves as a main point of contact for members, instructors, and partners engaging with AZA’s professional development programs.

This position is based in our Silver Spring, MD headquarters and reports to the Director, Professional Development & Education. The role requires up to 15 weeks of travel each year to facilitate in-person courses. It is also eligible for a hybrid schedule with a minimum of 2 days per week in the office.

Responsibilities

• Up to 15 weeks of required travel annually, facilitating in-person courses.
• Coordinate all aspects of the AZA Professional Development in-person courses including scheduling, registration set-up and processing, promotion, website updates, coordination of volunteer 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.).
• Coordinate all aspects of onboarding and training for Professional Development course instructors.
• Develop and lead training opportunities for other audiences as needed.
• Work with the Director of Professional Development & Education to create short and long-range plans for the Professional Development Program, including supporting virtual learning as needed.
• 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.
• Support 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.
• Coordinate all aspects of the AZA Professional Development Scholarship program, including creating and managing the application process, coordinating application review, tracking review progress, communicating with scholarship recipients, arranging travel and lodging, and processing all reimbursements.
• 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 reimbursements, refunds, and other invoice payments.
• Work collaboratively with members of the AZA Professional Development Committee to provide updates regarding in-person professional development courses as well as working together on any relevant projects.
•  Communicate and work regularly with AZA Committees and other related groups as needed, including serving as the AZA staff liaison to relevant committees as appropriate.
• Work with relevant staff departments to develop and support professional development branding, programming and other initiatives as needed.
• 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.
• Pack boxes, prepare, and send shipments of collateral for Professional Development Courses.
• Assist with conservation education initiatives and programming, as needed.
• Assist with other professional development, events, membership projects, and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Instructional Design, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a related field (e.g. professional development, education, volunteer coordination).
• Experience managing or facilitating professional development, education, or training programs for adult audiences, including assisting with curriculum design and program evaluation.
• Experience developing and/or facilitating learning experiences.
• Experience working in a zoo, aquarium, or related organization is preferred.

Skills & Abilities

• Enthusiasm to learn new skills and technologies.
• Familiarity with current best practices in volunteer management and/or professional development.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships.
• Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated good judgment and strong decision-making skills.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Physical demands and work environment:  10-15 weeks of required travel annually. Moving and packing boxes, preparing shipments of collateral for professional development courses.

The starting compensation range for this role is $57,409-$63,254. AZA considers a candidate’s previous experience, skills, education, and relevant qualifications, as well as internal consistency with salaries of current employees when making employment offers.

AZA offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to health insurance options, life and disability insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan. To encourage work/life balance, AZA also offers a variety of paid time off plans including vacation, sick, and personal time; holidays; and parental leave. AZA also offers hybrid work schedules and flexible work weeks for eligible positions. We regularly review our benefits to ensure they remain competitive and responsive to employee feedback.

AZA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic. We use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.