JOB SUMMARY:
The Manager, High School Curriculum Development is a critical member of the Curriculum Development Team, which plans, develops, produces, maintains, and continuously improves the AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Curriculum. The position develops new aviation and aerospace courses and updates existing curriculum to ensure content is accurate, instructionally sound, engaging, practical for high school classrooms, and aligned with applicable educational and aviation standards. This role collaborates with internal and external subject matter experts, educators, industry partners, and third-party content developers to deliver high-quality curriculum and supporting resources. The Manager also works with internal stakeholders to support AOPA Foundation Teacher Workshops and the AOPA Foundation Aviation Education Symposium and may represent AOPA and the AOPA Foundation with aviation organizations, associations, and other external stakeholders.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Curriculum Development, Curriculum Maintenance, and Quality Assurance (80%)
Lead the design, development, production, implementation, and evaluation of high school aviation and aerospace curriculum, including courses, scopes and sequences, learning objectives, lesson plans, assessments, student activities, presentations, and teacher resources.
Apply established curriculum-development and instructional-design practices to create rigorous, engaging, accessible, age-appropriate, and instructionally effective learning experiences.
Manage curriculum projects from concept through research, writing, review, production, quality assurance, publication, and classroom implementation, coordinating timelines, milestones, deliverables, and approvals.
Oversee the ongoing review, maintenance, and enhancement of existing curriculum to ensure content remains accurate, relevant, consistent, user-friendly, and instructionally effective.
Monitor changes in aviation practices, regulations, technology, career pathways, educational standards, and instructional practices to identify and implement necessary curriculum updates.
Coordinate quality-control and quality-assurance reviews of curriculum content, assessments, graphics, media, and instructional resources prior to publication.
Gather and analyze feedback from teachers, students, subject matter experts, internal stakeholders, and program partners to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Ensure curriculum content and instructional materials align with program goals, applicable educational and aviation standards and regulations, and AOPA Foundation quality expectations.
Build, publish, and maintain course content within the learning management system (LMS), supporting new curriculum launches, revisions, and ongoing instructional-material updates.
Subject Matter Expert and Third-Party Content Developer Collaboration (10%)
Identify and engage qualified internal and external subject matter experts to inform curriculum planning, technical content, learning outcomes, activities, assessments, and career connections.
Provide direction, source materials, templates, editorial guidance, and feedback to third-party curriculum developers, writers, designers, media producers, and other contractors.
Facilitate collaborative reviews to translate complex aviation, aerospace, maintenance, manufacturing, flight, uncrewed aircraft systems, and related technical concepts into effective high school instruction.
Build and maintain productive relationships with educators, industry representatives, partner organizations, and other contributors who support curriculum development.
Represent AOPA and the AOPA Foundation, as assigned, in meetings, working groups, advisory groups, conferences, and collaborative initiatives with aviation organizations, associations, educational institutions, government agencies, and industry partners.
Teacher Workshops and Aviation Education Symposium Support (10%)
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support the planning and delivery of AOPA Foundation Teacher Workshops, including development and review of workshop content, presentations, activities, facilitator resources, and participant materials.
Help prepare staff members, contractors, and teacher trainers to deliver curriculum-related professional development consistently and effectively.
Support the planning and delivery of the AOPA Foundation Aviation Education Symposium by contributing curriculum-related topics, sessions, speakers, presentations, demonstrations, and supporting materials.
Participate in workshops, presentations, meetings, and events to explain new or revised curriculum and gather feedback from educators and stakeholders.
Travel as needed to support curriculum development, stakeholder engagement, workshops, conferences, the Aviation Education Symposium, and other program activities.
**Although this job description aims to capture the majority of the position duties, other duties may be assigned based on business and departmental needs.
REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in education, STEM, curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Five or more years of experience in education, curriculum implementation, teacher professional development, aviation education, program management, or a related field.
Demonstrated aviation knowledge or an FAA aviation credential such as a pilot certificate, remote pilot certificate, or A&P certificate.
Experience working with teachers, school administrators, districts, or educational organizations.
Experience developing or supporting teacher training, professional learning, instructional resources, curriculum implementation, or educator support programs.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with educators, administrators, internal staff, contractors, and external stakeholders.
Strong facilitation, presentation, consultation, and relationship-building skills.
Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, virtual meeting platforms, and common digital collaboration tools.
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
PREFERRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
Master's degree in education, curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, aviation, STEM, or a related field.
Current or former classroom teaching experience.
Experience with high school aviation, aerospace, STEM, or Career and Technical Education programs.
Experience with curriculum development, instructional design, lesson planning, assessment development, or educational quality assurance.
Experience selecting, training, scheduling, supporting, or managing trainers, contractors, consultants, or facilitators.
Knowledge of aviation, aerospace, flight training, uncrewed aircraft systems, or related aviation career pathways.
Experience planning or supporting conferences, workshops, Symposium-style events, or educator professional development events.
Public speaking experience.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
This position works in an office setting.
Typical working hours are 8:30 am – 5 pm, Monday through Friday, with a one-hour lunch break.
Generally, a climate-controlled environment with occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions when attending aviation-related events, including exposure to higher altitudes and confined spaces if in a general aviation aircraft.
This position requires some travel, up to 20% of the time, to various general aviation or industry-related events. Travel is by aircraft (general aviation and commercial) and by road or public transit.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands of this position are typical of a standard office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will regularly be required to:
Sit for extended periods while working at a computer or attending meetings.
Use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment.
Communicate effectively via email, phone, and in-person, which requires clear speech, hearing, and vision.
Occasionally lift or move items weighing up to 15 pounds, such as boxes of materials or equipment.
Occasionally stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms during the course of normal office activities.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This position is located at AOPA’s Frederick, MD, office.
The annual salary for this position is: $70,000 - $78,000, depending on education and experience.
BENEFIT INFORMATION:
Flight Training (earn your Private Pilot License for free) & Annual Flight Proficiency Program (so you can keep flying and remain proficient)
Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance is available for employees and their dependents the 1st of the month following their start date
Flexible Spending Plans
Health Savings Plan with employer contribution (for eligible participants)
401(k) Retirement Plan with a company match, and annual discretionary supplemental employer contribution
Company paid Short and Long-term Disability Insurance
Company paid Life Insurance and AD&D insurance with the option to buy up
Paid Time Off (PTO): 17 days accrued during first year (accruals increase based on tenure)
Paid Holidays: 12 holidays
Personal days: 3 (prorated based on hire date)
Volunteer day: 1 (prorated based on hire date)
Work From Home Fridays
Paid Parental Leave
AOPA Membership
Employee Assistance Program
Wellness Program (earn medical insurance premium discounts)
Gym Reimbursement Program
Supplemental insurance options (critical illness, accident, hospital indemnity)
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Discount on AOPA swag
Business casual dress code
Free coffee, tea, hot cocoa
