Professional Development Specialist

The Professional Development Specialist plays a vital role in supporting early childhood educators and fostering high-quality learning opportunities. The Professional Development Specialist collaborates with early childhood education (ECE) network leaders and internal departments at VTAEYC to administer and plan over 150 professional development opportunities annually. This position coordinates impactful training programs through personalized administrative support, exceptional logistics tracking, communication, and event coordination.

This role significantly supports the production of the VTAEYC Annual Conference and reports to the Resource and Networks Program Manager.

Administrative Assistance and Support

• Provide technical assistance and support for ECE network leaders.
• Respond to information requests; work directly with individuals to assess needs and initiate appropriate referrals to other resources at VTAEYC or in the ECE system.

Training Coordination

• Investigate, evaluate, catalog and connect evidence-based training and professional development options based on identified needs.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts, in the planning process, to ensure relevant and impactful training content that reflects identified needs.
• Coordinate professional development opportunities for early childhood educators by securing venues, trainers and technology set up.
• Assist in requesting trainer invoices and documentation, ensuring compliance with organizational requirements.
• Manage registration processes for professional development events, including online registration systems and attendee communications.
• Order and manage distribution of materials, as needed.
• Collaborate with internal teams to promote professional development opportunities.

Training Follow Up

• Ensure timely and accurate documentation of professional development hours for participants.
• Implement post-professional development surveys, evaluate responses and elevate recommendations based on participant feedback, when needed.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with partner organizations to enhance professional development offerings.
• Assist in the development and implementation of strategies to improve the quality and accessibility of professional development offerings.
• Stay informed about industry trends and best practices related to professional development in early childhood education.

Data & Systems Management

• Maintain internal systems to streamline training logistics, improve communication, and increase operational efficiency.
• Accurately and efficiently enter, manage, and analyze professional development data across systems; generate clear, timely reports that identify trends, gaps, and opportunities to inform continuous improvement and strategic decision-making by organizational leadership.
• Lead Internal Data Share-Outs to inform strategy; guide internal data presentations and strategic discussions, synthesizing key findings and elevating insights to shape broader SPARQS strategy, planning, and resource allocation decisions.

• Assist in the planning and execution of the VTAEYC Annual Conference, ensuring a successful and engaging event.
• Manage requests for proposals for conference sessions, including working with other departments within the organization to publish and publicize RFPs, evaluate subject matter expertise, relevance to early childhood education priorities, and alignment with organizational values to identify potential keynote speakers and presenters.
• Coordinate logistics, speakers, and program content for the annual conference, serving as the primary point of contact for presenters and keynote speakers.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Organization & Attention to Detail

• Organize professional…