Coordinator of Professional Development
Wildlife Conservation Society
Organization Description:
The Wildlife Conservation Society envisions a world where wildlife thrives in healthy lands and seas, valued by societies that embrace and benefit from the diversity and integrity of life on earth. We actively save wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. The WCS Education Department works across our five parks: Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium. Our mission is to inspire a diverse and inclusive movement of conservation advocates by sparking connection with animals and nature, enhancing scientific literacy through hands-on investigation, and engaging constituents in stewardship and action to conserve wildlife and wild places.
WCS is proud to be an equal opportunity employment workplace dedicated to pursuing and hiring a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work and learning environment and look for future team members who share that same value.
Position Description:
The Zoos and Aquarium Education team is looking for an enthusiastic and committed individual to serve in an exciting and unique role as the Coordinator of Professional Development. This position will primarily support the WCS efforts on the Urban Advantage initiative.
Urban Advantage (UA) is a standards-based partnership program designed to improve students’ understanding of scientific inquiry through collaborations between urban public school systems and science cultural institutions such as zoos, botanical gardens, museums, and science centers. UA involves institutions outside the formal education system that support the science-specific goals of the public school system. Urban Advantage was launched in 2004 in New York City by the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in collaboration with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the New York Botanical Garden, the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Botanical Garden, the Staten Island Zoo, the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium, and the New York City Department of Education, with leadership funding from the New York City Council.
The Coordinator of Professional Development will be responsible for course development and delivery for Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium based UA programing. They will model best practices in science education for hundreds of UA teachers annually. They will collaborate with other WCS Coordinators of Professional Development and with AMNH staff, as well as staff at the other UA partner institutions on all aspects of UA programming. They will be responsible for incorporating and modeling best practices in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion into all UA programming. They will mentor and support WCS assigned Lead Teachers in all aspects of UA programming. In addition to their duties with UA, the Coordinator of Professional Development will support teacher education efforts throughout NYC by developing, facilitating, and assessing teacher workshops and school partnerships.
Reports to:
Manager of Professional Development – Urban Advantage
Job Requirements & Responsibilities:
Responsibilities:
– You will be responsible developing, facilitating, & assessing UA programming at the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium.
– You will represent WCS at all UA partner events, including monthly meetings, Family Science Days, & the UA Expo.
– You will incorporate & model best practices in DE&I education into all WCS PD programming.
– You will mentor & support WCS assigned Lead Teachers in UA programming.
– You will engage with UA families through the UA Family Engagement Initiative and support programming around Parent Coordinator workshops, Family Science Days, & Family Engagement Visits to schools.
– You will facilitate non-UA teacher education workshops, focused on conservation issues, at all five WCS facilities across NYC.
– You will cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with partners across WCS departments and UA partner institutions
Candidate Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
– Master’s Degree in Conservation, Education, Biology, or a related field
– Classroom experience teaching in a formal education setting (K-12)
– Familiarity with national and state education standards
– Understanding of inquiry-based learning theory and practice
– Comfort with leading by example on best practices in diversity, equity, & inclusion
– Passion for wildlife conservation
Position Type:
Full-Time
Union Status:
Non-Union
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Salary or Compensation:
$59,500
Organization or Project Website:
https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25965&siteid=5168#jobDetails=838182_5168
Application Info:
Please apply at https://www.wcs.org/about-us/careers