Continuing Education Coordinator Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) http://depts.washington.edu/coasst/ University of Washington, Seattle, WA
The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) is a 14 year old continuing education program that reaches out to citizens in coastal communities in the North Pacific with the particular goal of training non- experts in science, monitoring, and seabird natural history. Education interaction includes but is not limited to: 1) training workshops for new and continuing participants, 2) evening lectures and linked networking events, 3) print and website content, and 4) continuous one-on-one email/phone conversation to address individual questions/concerns regarding COASST protocols, seabird identification and other scientific questions. the purpose of the Continuing Education Coordinator is short and long-term operation control of outreach, training, and coordination of over 700 citizen scientists in 4 states. The COASST program is the largest citizen science program at the UW, involving over 250 Washington residents, and over 700 participants across four states. The expected annual growth of the COASST program is 10-15%. As the lead position training and coordinating COASST participants, this position has a significant influence on the education and community service aspects of the mission of the UW, particularly through continuing education of adult learners. The Continuing Education Coordinator will represent the COASST program, and the UW, at multiple training and outreach events annually, and will represent COASST in daily electronic interaction with program participants. In addition, this position will interact with a variety of community groups (e.g., local Audubon chapters); municipal, state, tribal and federal agencies (e.g., Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration); and K-12 and higher education organizations (e.g., local high schools and community colleges). This position is responsible for the operational control of a continuing education program of over 700 adult learners from dozens of coastal communities in Washington, Oregon, California, and Alaska. In addition to recruiting and training new COASST program participants off-site (necessitating night and weekend work and overnight travel), this position must interact with all current program participants, including timely answers to participant questions; development and delivery of print, web, email, and phone outreach; innovation to the existing training program to meet participant needs and knowledge level. In addition, this position must recruit and train undergraduate students from the UW as junior and senior interns in the COASST program, and direct their efforts with particular regard to assisting in training, communication, logistics, and other functions related to COASST participant continuing education. Finally, this position must interact with the COASST Program Coordinator and Executive Director to ensure that scientific content is up to date in all training materials, as well as to ensure that participant-collected data are of high quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) relative to the scientific needs of the program. The duties of this position will include participant education, including marketing, recruiting, training, communication and coordination of new and current COASST participants; lead responsibilities for managing the efforts of over 70 participants (volunteers); student intern education and management, including recruiting, training, and managing 8-10 junior interns and 1-3 senior interns each quarter; special projects, which may include: significant revision of COASST training materials (published field guides, protocols, and PowerPoint lessons), assistance in COASST participant data manipulation and analysis, and working with independent program evaluators to develop assessment tools to determine the level of knowledge and satisfaction COASST participants gain during and following trainings. REQUIREMENTS: -Bachelor's degree in biology or related field and three years work experience OR Master's degree in related field and one year of work experience. -Demonstrated teaching, communication and/or outreach experience targeting adult learners. -Demonstrated knowledge of birds. Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. DESIRED: -Advanced knowledge of MS Office. -Advanced public and professional speaking ability. -Experience developing science-oriented training sessions. -Data manipulation and analysis skills. -Website management experience. -Valid driver's license. Condition of Employment: A satisfactory outcome from a criminal background verification may be required prior to hire. -Ability to work occasional nights and weekends, and travel overnight. -Ability to efficiently and effectively travel locally to alternate work site if needed. To apply for this position please go to: https://uwhires.admin.washington.edu/eng/candidates/default.cfm? szLocationID=88 Search for Req # 83619 Click the job title, "Continuing Education Coordinator" At the upper left click, "Apply for this job" For inquiries please contact: Jane Dolliver, Program Coordinator, COASST email: [email protected] (ph) 206-221-6893
