Learning Program Specialist (GHSS Professional Development Specialist) (IS-1001-9)

Description OPEN DATE: July 9, 2024

CLOSING DATE: July 20, 2024

POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed Two (2) Years

SCHEDULE: Full Time DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC Position sensitivity and risk : Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk Open to all qualified applicants

What are Trust Fund Positions? Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program and may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated as low risk. Complete a Probationary Period Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer. The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.

Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply. Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW The purpose of the position is to (1) develop, coordinate, deliver, and evaluate educational and professional development programs (both virtual and in-person) and e-learning resources for NZP that support students, teachers, and families as part of NZP’s “Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian” activities for Head Start Pre-K programs, (2) provide support for digital education outreach initiatives, including webcasts, videos, and other digital media for PreK-2 students and teachers (both local and national) and, (3) deliver digital e-learning courses and in-person interpretive training for teachers, staff and volunteers that demonstrate best practices in zoo, museum, or community-based learning.

This position is located at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (NZP), with a duty station based out of the NZP Washington, DC offices.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Education Program Coordination Develops, delivers and evaluates age-appropriate and accessible in-person and virtual education and professional development experiences; including activities, programs, and products for PreK-2 students and teachers (linked to national curriculum standards and classroom curriculum), volunteers, and general zoo audiences.

Creates support materials (i.e. curriculum guides, instructions, data collection guides, resource materials, activity sheets, etc.) for these experiences or to extend self-directed learning and exploration.

Assists with all stages of development, including assistance with conceptualizing programs and activities, design, development, testing, and evaluation.

Works with appropriate staff to develop and implement programming using technology, for example webcasting, web conferencing, eLearning modules and LMS systems.

Training and Evaluation Conducts and assesses training using a blended learning model comprised of eLearning courses and onsite workshops.

Trains participants in interpretive techniques and provides them with enriching tools and activities for engaging Zoo visitors.

Collaborates with staff from science, animal care, and other departments of NZP to translate current research, collections, and initiatives into activities and materials for diverse audiences in informal settings. Assists with the development of evaluation plans. Administers evaluation instruments and utilizes analytic tools to summarize data and create reports which guide future program planning.

Provides training to volunteers, interns, and contractors for programs, ensuring that all programs are delivered with attention to scientific accuracy and effective instructional techniques.

Program Administration Maintains budgets and timelines and monitors all financial requirements for assigned programs and to ensure that desired objectives are met in a timely fashion and are within budget.

Collects and reports metrics for assigned programs. Performs other duties as required. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Demonstrated experience developing and delivering age-appropriate and accessible in-person and virtual education experiences for PreK-2 students and teachers, including activities, programs, products, and support materials linked to national curriculum standards and/or classroom curriculum.

Ability to provide training and create support materials (i.e. curriculum guides, instructions, data collection guides, resource materials, activity sheets, etc.) that communicate best practices in interpretation, play-based learning, early childhood education, museum education, and/or informal science learning Demonstrated skill in coordinating and producing educational programs and materials that that demonstrate best practices in museum, zoo, or community-based learning and interpretation for young children, are accurate and of a consistent quality with the NZCBI and Smithsonian brands, address national early learning standards, and are part of a continual cycle of assessment and evaluation.

Ability to provide training and support materials communicate best practices in play-based learning, early childhood education, museum education, and/or informal science learning Experience developing and implementing educational programming using technology, for example webcasting, web conferencing, eLearning modules, and LMS systems. Preferred experience with Zoom webcasting and Adobe and Articulate eLearning design platforms.

Demonstrated ability to collaborate with various stakeholders or departments to translate current research, collections, and initiatives into activities and materials for diverse audiences. Demonstrated skill in maintaining budgets and timelines to ensure that desired objectives are met in a timely fashion and are within budget. Applicants, who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States, must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid. Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact BiagasL@si.edu

• Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
  
  

To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures .

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer

• We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema
• Founded in 1846, the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. There are 6,000 Smithsonian employees, including approximately 500 scientists. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at nearly 137 million.