Coordinator, Professional Learning and K-12 Academics - ISTE

Are you an innovative, conservation-minded educator looking to make a positive impact? Channel your energy and expertise to make conservation science and Zoo-related content come alive in the classroom and beyond! Join our team to create K-12 educator professional development programs and student activities that bring learning to the next level. Apply for the Coordinator, Professional Learning and K-12 Academics position at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

This is a non-union, fulltime, salaried position, grade 06, with a hiring range of $53,416 to $58,758.   The Benefits Summary Information (for this position, please refer to the non-union, fulltime employee section): Benefits Table

This position contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by developing and implementing Pre-K –12 educator professional learning programs in pursuit of BZC’s mission of inspiring conservation leadership. The Coordinator contributes to development, lesson plans, and materials for professional learning programs and workshops, facilitates and serves as an instructor for programs, develops related student and teacher resources, assists with maintaining community partners and schools, including maintaining contact lists and engaging in outreach, assists with recordkeeping, budget, grants, instruction, evaluation, and supervision of volunteers, contract and seasonal instructors, and interns as needed.

Primary job duties and responsibilities:

1.       Under the direction of the Manager, Professional Learning and K-12 Academics Department, integrate and align this department’s programs to develop content and curriculum and provide onsite and online instruction for professional development training, including, but not limited to the Brookfield Zoo Teaching Safari, teacher networking events, graduate credit professional development, and teacher classes/workshops.

2.       Assist with or develop and prepare related professional learning and K-12 student resources for classroom and onsite learning.

3.       Assist with providing feedback and mentoring for program participants, including providing written feedback, modeling evidence-based strategies informed by learning standards (e.g., NGSS, CCSS), and coaching sessions.

4.       As directed by Manager, Professional Learning & K-12 Academics, promote programs, share resources, and communicate with current and new program participants, school administrators and teachers, and school districts. Assist with developing school and district collaborations for Teaching Safari program, including meeting with school administrators, hosting information sessions, and responding to questions and concerns from participants and institutions. Maintain databases and files for teacher professional development programs.

5.        Assist with maintaining documentation for program requirements, including but not limited to class files for ISBE review, internal assessments, and participant roster and files.

6.        Other related duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Position requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in education, Interpretation, Biology, Environmental Studies, Museum Studies or other relevant field.
• One year of experience teaching in either formal (e.g., K-12 school) or informal education setting (e.g., zoo or museum).
• Excellent written and verbal skills along with strong interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of general education principles and practices.
• Flexibility to adopt innovative teaching approaches.
• Excellent organization, follow-through, communication, and customer service skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment periodically.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Ability to work as a team member and independently.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Cultural competency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
• English fluency at a professional working proficiency.

Desirable/preferred qualifications:

• Multilingual ability; Spanish fluency a plus.
• One year of experience training teachers.
• Genuine interest and passion for nature, animals, and conservation.
• One (1) or more years of experience in a teaching and/or teaching leadership role in a formal education setting.
• Valid driver’s license preferred.

Additional information:  This position description summarizes the primary duties and functions of this position but should not be considered a complete listing of every duty the incumbent may ever be called upon to perform. Position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule including occasional evenings and weekends. This is a grant-funded position; it is a regular, full-time position funded for 1-1/2 years only.

Benefit information:

Holidays: Non-union employees are eligible for 8 paid holidays per year.

Medical Insurance: Employees may choose from one of two medical plans: Blue Cross-Blue Shield HMO or PPO Plan. A waiver credit is available to employees who waive enrollment in medical insurance. Coverage begins on the employee’s hire date.

Dental Insurance & Vision Care Coverage: A dental plan and an employee-paid vision care plan are available. A waiver credit is offered to employees who waive enrollment in the dental plan. Coverage begins on the employee’s hire date.

Mental Health: Support, counseling, and resources for life issues at no cost to the employee. Eligible employees and their immediate family have access to Perspectives, a dynamic Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) which provides 24/7, confidential care and resources to address work and life stressors.

Retirement Savings: A 401(k) savings plan is available for all employees. Choose either pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax contributions. First of the quarter following one year of service, eligible employees receive matching contributions of 50% of the first 6% you contribute.

Employer-paid Income Protection: Short-Term and Long-Term disability benefits are available which provide up to 60% of the employee’s base weekly wages for the first 90 days, then up to 60% of the employee’s monthly wages if the employee is unable to return to work. Basic Term Life & Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance policies each in the coverage amount of 1X the employee’s annual salary, plus an additional $10,000 in coverage. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in these benefits upon hire.

Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Brookfield Zoo Chicago believes in helping eligible employees take advantage of pre-tax savings for eligible healthcare and/or dependent care expenses. Eligible employees may set aside pre-tax dollars from their paychecks to save for pre-tax reimbursement of qualified healthcare and/or dependent care expenses.

Voluntary Benefits:

-Supplemental Term Life Insurance                                                                      - Group Accident Insurance

-Supplemental Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance            - Group Critical Illness Insurance

-Supplemental Dependent Life Insurance                                                              - Identity Theft Protection