Youth Leadership Coordinator
The Youth Leadership Coordinator’s role is to plan, develop and implement the Youth Leadership Adventures program, in partnership with North Cascades National Park and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This position coordinates backcountry leadership development and field science courses for high school students that serve over 100 students per year, including a Youth Leadership Reunion, a Youth Leadership Conference and student-led community service projects. The coordinator is responsible for staff and graduate student hiring, training and supervision, overall student recruiting and enrollment, course planning and logistics, risk management and curriculum development. In addition, this position manages a large alumni base and conducts regular outreach to alumni to connect them to next-step opportunities through our Pathways for Youth Initiative. The coordinator also assists with program evaluation, fundraising, strategy, budgeting, administration and partnership development.
Summer field courses include 8-day Outdoor Leadership and 16-day Science and Sustainability backcountry courses that incorporate backpacking, canoe camping, and service work including trail and campground maintenance and/or native plant restoration. Curriculum focuses on leadership development, natural and cultural history, community building, field science and sustainability.
Supervised by the Program Manager, the position is based out of the Administrative Office in Sedro-Woolley, WA, with the summer work location at the Institute’s Environmental Learning Center located in North Cascades National Park from late-May through late-August.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in education, conservation, environmental science or related field required; preferred Master’s degree in education, conservation, environmental science or related field
- Experience coordinating wilderness, canoe-based, service and/or residential programs
- Experience coordinating wilderness, canoe-based, service and/or residential programs
- Experience supervising, hiring, training and mentoring staff and graduate students
- Strong leadership skills managing staff and youth participants
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational and time management skills with exemplary attention to detail
- Ability to prioritize effectively and handle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Exceptional judgment, flexibility and ability to work independently and reliably
- Experience teaching adolescents, preferably in a wilderness or residential setting
- Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and cultures
- Experience developing and leading backcountry programs and service projects, including trail and campground maintenance and citizen science projects
- Strong leadership skills managing staff and youth participants
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational and time management skills with exemplary attention to detail
- Ability to prioritize effectively and handle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Exceptional judgment, flexibility and ability to work independently and reliably
- Experience teaching adolescents, preferably in a wilderness or residential setting
- Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and cultures
- Experience developing and leading backcountry programs and service projects, including trail and campground maintenance and citizen science projects
- Experience developing and teaching curriculum on climate science, sustainability, natural and cultural history, community building and leadership development
- Enthusiasm for learning and teaching about the natural world and knowledge of North Cascades natural and cultural history
- Ability to monitor, model and teach exemplary risk management skills during extensive overnight backcountry trips; must be familiar with backcountry and risk management practices and be effective at teaching canoeing and water safety skills
- Willing to work outdoors and full days and evenings, including multiple overnight camping trips
- Comfortable working in both office and remote environments that require traveling long distances
- Enthusiasm for learning and teaching about the natural world and knowledge of North Cascades natural and cultural history
- Ability to monitor, model and teach exemplary risk management skills during extensive overnight backcountry trips; must be familiar with backcountry and risk management practices and be effective at teaching canoeing and water safety skills
- Willing to work outdoors and full days and evenings, including multiple overnight camping trips
- Comfortable working in both office and remote environments that require traveling long distances
- Current driver’s license and acceptable driving record
- Current Wilderness First Responder and CPR certifications
- Ability to lift up to 75lbs. occasionally, carry up to 50lbs, backpack and hike over uneven terrain
- Ability to pass a criminal history disclosure and background check
- Current Wilderness First Responder and CPR certifications
- Ability to lift up to 75lbs. occasionally, carry up to 50lbs, backpack and hike over uneven terrain
- Ability to pass a criminal history disclosure and background check
Program and Teaching Responsibilities (80%)
1. Develop, implement and evaluate program’s themes, content, itineraries, and staffing in coordination with National Park and Forest Service partners and Program Manager.
2. Lead coordination for all 8- and 16-day field courses.
3. Develop curriculum, considering program objectives, scope and sequence; ensure quality of educational content and delivery.
4. Lead student recruitment and enrollment, including coordinating with teachers, student travel arrangements and registration paperwork. Develop and maintain contacts with community partners and teachers.
5. Oversee integration of Institute staff and graduate students as support staff or secondary and primary trip leaders as appropriate, providing training, supervision and evaluation.
1. Develop, implement and evaluate program’s themes, content, itineraries, and staffing in coordination with National Park and Forest Service partners and Program Manager.
2. Lead coordination for all 8- and 16-day field courses.
3. Develop curriculum, considering program objectives, scope and sequence; ensure quality of educational content and delivery.
4. Lead student recruitment and enrollment, including coordinating with teachers, student travel arrangements and registration paperwork. Develop and maintain contacts with community partners and teachers.
5. Oversee integration of Institute staff and graduate students as support staff or secondary and primary trip leaders as appropriate, providing training, supervision and evaluation.
6. Develop and implement spring and fall opportunities for local students, including fall reunion and family orientation meetings.
7. With the Youth Leadership Lead Instructor, seek and develop partners for student-led community service projects. Coordinate with teachers and community partners to communicate program goals and plan projects.
8. Implement and evaluate safety and emergency response procedures and attend risk management trainings. Serve on Risk Management Team.
9. Manage inventory, maintenance and storage of program equipment and supplies.
10. Collaborate with the Program Manager and Youth Leadership Lead Instructor to organize and produce the Youth Leadership Conference in November.
11. Develop expertise and collect information related to field science and climate change; incorporate into program and disseminate to staff.
7. With the Youth Leadership Lead Instructor, seek and develop partners for student-led community service projects. Coordinate with teachers and community partners to communicate program goals and plan projects.
8. Implement and evaluate safety and emergency response procedures and attend risk management trainings. Serve on Risk Management Team.
9. Manage inventory, maintenance and storage of program equipment and supplies.
10. Collaborate with the Program Manager and Youth Leadership Lead Instructor to organize and produce the Youth Leadership Conference in November.
11. Develop expertise and collect information related to field science and climate change; incorporate into program and disseminate to staff.
12. Teach in other programs, as needed, including youth leadership courses and graduate program, in areas of expertise.
13. Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Outreach Responsibilities (10%)
13. Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Outreach Responsibilities (10%)
1. Assist Program Manager, communications and fundraising staff in reaching funders, media and educational partners.
2. Mentor alumni to connect them with next-step opportunities through the Pathways for Youth Initiative, including managing the alumni database.
3. Assist Program Manager in coordinating donor and visitor days during field season.
4. Speak with funders and partners to develop and promote youth programs at NCI.
2. Mentor alumni to connect them with next-step opportunities through the Pathways for Youth Initiative, including managing the alumni database.
3. Assist Program Manager in coordinating donor and visitor days during field season.
4. Speak with funders and partners to develop and promote youth programs at NCI.
5. Present program at conferences, workshops, etc.
Administrative Responsibilities (10%)
1. Work with Program Manager and other staff to ensure that Youth Leadership Adventures fulfills the educational mission of the Institute.
2. Recruit, hire, train and evaluate staff and graduate students; support and assist field staff in professional development.
3. Assist Program Manager in overseeing and managing program budget; report on program budget and spending.
4. Assist Program Manager in writing the final report at season’s end.
COMPENSATION
This is a regular, full-time, exempt position with an annual furlough from December 1-31. Salary is commensurate with experience. We offer a competitive compensation package; benefits include paid time-off, medical/dental insurance, long and short-term disability insurance, tax-defined annuity and contribution retirement plan, and a yearly stipend to participate in Institute programs. During the summer and working from the Environmental Learning Center, this position will have shared housing and some meals. Given the remote location, personal transportation is required. Pets and smoking are not allowed in on-site housing, during programs or on the Institute’s campus.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
August 18, 2014. Application review will begin immediately and will remain open until filled.
TO APPLY
Interested individuals are encouraged to submit a letter of interest, resume, names of three references with current contact information to:
jobs@ncascades.org (subject line: Youth Leadership Coordinator)
OR:
North Cascades Institute
Youth Leadership Coordinator Search
810 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at North Cascades Institute. The Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, citizenship or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies or programs.
ABOUT NORTH CASCADES INSTITUTE
The Institute’s mission is to conserve and restore Northwest environments through education. Since 1986 we have helped connect people, nature and community through science, art, literature and the hands-on study of natural and cultural history. Our goal is to help people of all ages experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests, people and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest – so all will care for and protect this special place. The Institute is committed to innovation and excellence in environmental learning and leadership in the nonprofit community. We believe that sustainable communities are built on healthy environments, vibrant economies and social equity.
North Cascades Institute is a respected, national leader among U.S. environmental education organizations. The Institute is in sound financial health with a $3 million budget and strong reserves. In 2013, Charity Navigator awarded the Institute its 10th consecutive Four-Star rating placing the Institute in the top 1% of nonprofit organizations demonstrating exemplary fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. The Institute was also voted “Best Place to Work” in the 2013 Bellingham Alive – Best in the Northwest annual readers’ poll. This is a wonderful opportunity to join North Cascades Institute at a time of exciting growth.
Administrative Responsibilities (10%)
1. Work with Program Manager and other staff to ensure that Youth Leadership Adventures fulfills the educational mission of the Institute.
2. Recruit, hire, train and evaluate staff and graduate students; support and assist field staff in professional development.
3. Assist Program Manager in overseeing and managing program budget; report on program budget and spending.
4. Assist Program Manager in writing the final report at season’s end.
COMPENSATION
This is a regular, full-time, exempt position with an annual furlough from December 1-31. Salary is commensurate with experience. We offer a competitive compensation package; benefits include paid time-off, medical/dental insurance, long and short-term disability insurance, tax-defined annuity and contribution retirement plan, and a yearly stipend to participate in Institute programs. During the summer and working from the Environmental Learning Center, this position will have shared housing and some meals. Given the remote location, personal transportation is required. Pets and smoking are not allowed in on-site housing, during programs or on the Institute’s campus.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
August 18, 2014. Application review will begin immediately and will remain open until filled.
TO APPLY
Interested individuals are encouraged to submit a letter of interest, resume, names of three references with current contact information to:
jobs@ncascades.org (subject line: Youth Leadership Coordinator)
OR:
North Cascades Institute
Youth Leadership Coordinator Search
810 State Route 20
Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at North Cascades Institute. The Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, citizenship or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies or programs.
ABOUT NORTH CASCADES INSTITUTE
The Institute’s mission is to conserve and restore Northwest environments through education. Since 1986 we have helped connect people, nature and community through science, art, literature and the hands-on study of natural and cultural history. Our goal is to help people of all ages experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests, people and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest – so all will care for and protect this special place. The Institute is committed to innovation and excellence in environmental learning and leadership in the nonprofit community. We believe that sustainable communities are built on healthy environments, vibrant economies and social equity.
North Cascades Institute is a respected, national leader among U.S. environmental education organizations. The Institute is in sound financial health with a $3 million budget and strong reserves. In 2013, Charity Navigator awarded the Institute its 10th consecutive Four-Star rating placing the Institute in the top 1% of nonprofit organizations demonstrating exemplary fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. The Institute was also voted “Best Place to Work” in the 2013 Bellingham Alive – Best in the Northwest annual readers’ poll. This is a wonderful opportunity to join North Cascades Institute at a time of exciting growth.
