Summary of Position

People come to North Cascades Institute (NCI) for transformative experiences and our Adult and Family programs are on the forefront of learning that touches and changes lives. The Manager is responsible for creating and managing NCI’s Adult and Family Programs (AdFam) suite of outdoor education programs that serve people of all ages; children, families and adults, throughout the year. The work location is at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center on Diablo Lake, and program activities occur at the Center, in the broader community, and occasionally in remote field locations. The Center is located in the heart of the North Cascades National Park, in a remote and beautiful location, approximately 20 miles from the nearest gas station and post office in Marblemount, and 60 miles from towns with full amenities.

Successful candidates may bring experience from a variety of backgrounds, and will have a demonstrated passion for creating and nourishing high performance teams in dynamic environments. Our field is Outdoor Education, so a passion for nature and the environment are key, while strong leadership and program management skills are essential. This role works integrally with both internal partners, like our education, finance, facilities and marketing teams, and external partners, especially North Cascades National Park and Seattle City Light. An ability to see how different pieces of a complex organizational puzzle fit together is necessary. This position reports directly to the Programs Director.

The Institute strives to further our identity as an institution that welcomes and embraces diversity in community and curriculum, works to redress historical inequities, and seeks a diverse pool of candidates. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Responsibilities

Program Development and Management (40%):

• Provides leadership, management, design, and revision for a suite of five high-quality education programs and their curricula: Field and Virtual Courses, Family Getaways, Skagit Tours, Skagit Information Center, and Base Camps
• Develops and manages budgets for all programs
• Coordinates hiring processes for all AdFam seasonal staff, recruiting and supporting culturally competent staff and instructors
• Creates weekly schedules to efficiently meet staffing needs for all programs
• Nurtures programming that is welcoming to and supportive of diverse audiences.
• Works with education, conferences, marketing, program, and finance teams to host, develop and promote an annual suite of adult and family programs responsive to community needs; finds opportunities for new audiences and revenue streams
• Develops and manages program assessments and evaluations for all programs

Leadership and Supervision (30%):

• Directly supervises and coaches 1-2 program coordinators who assist with program activities
• Directly supervises summer seasonal program team staff
• Works collaboratively with other program managers and departments to maximize use of Learning Center program staff and facilities to achieve goals related to program, enrollment, and finances
• Regularly reports on programming to the Program Director and program team. Prepares materials, as requested, to keep board and staff informed and engaged
• Provides support to Institute development staff in grant writing, donor cultivation, and reporting as requested
• Participates in strategic planning, inter-office communications, special projects, and other duties as assigned
• Actively support equity initiatives and actively contribute to NCI as a community of belonging that is welcoming and accessible to everyone. Develop a personal equity, diversity, and inclusion related goal(s) and track progress towards your goal(s) with your supervisor

Partnerships (10%):

• Works closely with Program Director and other NCI staff to support and strengthen cooperative relationships with the National Park Service, Seattle City Light, US Forest Service, local tribes, and other partners
• Develops new partnerships and programs as directed by the Institute’s strategic plan, annual operational goals, and the Program Director
• Represents NCI at local and regional meetings and conferences

Learning Center Operations (10%):

• Works collaboratively with Program Director and the Learning Center Director to provide leadership and guidance to the Learning Center community
• Works with Learning Center Director to create, implement, and uphold Risk Management and Institute policies and procedures across program areas
• Will serve as one of the designated Daytime Incident Commanders at the Environmental Learning Center
• Participates in Learning Center staff meetings and weekly stewardship area care routines

Hosting & Instruction (10%):

• Plays an active role in welcoming and hosting visitors and customers
• Develops and leads elements of programs, classes, and trainings for staff and public
• Shares responsibility for hosting adult and family programs with Program Coordinator and staff
• Assists Program Director and staff in design and implementation of staff trainings
• Provides instructional support to programs when needed

Qualifications

Required:

• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and ability to lead, coach and connect while fostering a positive, inclusive workplace environment
• Significant experience supervising adults in leadership and teaching roles
• Demonstrated ability to design and manage a diverse array of programs and solve scheduling puzzles
• Ability to thrive in a complex, fast-paced environment, with a seasonably varied work schedule including some evenings, nights, and weekends
• Delights in solving complex, multifactorial problems
• Strong, creative, applied skills in administrative, business technologies, e.g. Excel, Salesforce, Brickhost, G-suite, MS Office, Paylocity
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Education, Education, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Social Sciences, Humanities, related fields, or equivalent experience

Preferred:

• Significant experience in environmental, outdoor, field or place-based education, especially Residential Environmental Learning Centers, camps, schools or similar facilities
• Teaching interdisciplinary natural and cultural history
• Partnership development and nurturing, especially with government, education, or community organizations
• Environmental education with urban or tribal communities or in international settings
• Working or living in communities that are historically marginalized or underrepresented in the field of environmental education or having social justice work experience
• Familiarity with collaborative, coaching models of supervision
• Fluency in Spanish language
• Current Wilderness First Responder certification or higher
• Master’s degree in related field

Other Requirements:

• Ability to comply with a smoke- and drug-free work environment
• Possession of current driver’s license; acceptable driving record for past 3 years
• Criminal history disclosure form and background check will be required

Working Environment

• The work is predominantly performed in an open office setting at a computer workstation at the NCI Learning Center. Work-from-home arrangements can be made on a case by case basis, and will vary seasonally, and are subject to COVID protocols as well. NCI is committed to providing a supportive, flexible, balanced work environment for all employees
• The work is sometimes performed around campus as a manager and host to visiting program participants, and as support to other Learning Center staff
• Position requires occasional travel by car to other worksites or meeting places.
• May be required to work overtime and weekends for special program events and programmatic fluctuations

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job the employee will be required to:

• Work both inside and outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions in the Pacific Northwest climate
• Sit, talk, and hear, use hands and fingers to operate office equipment; reach with hands and arms
• Travel over uneven terrain to lead or meet with participants and staff in and around the Learning Center campus
• Occasionally bend, lift, and/or move up to 40 pounds is required. Accommodations can be requested, as needed

Compensation and Benefits

This position is regular (non-seasonal), full-time and non-exempt. The pay is $21/ hour. This position may be eligible for overtime pay during the summer months, based on program needs. We offer a competitive compensation package; benefits include paid time-off, medical/dental insurance, long and short-term disability insurance, life insurance, tax-deferred annuity and contribution retirement plan, and a yearly stipend to participate in Institute programs. Excellent quality meals are provided when programs are in session; otherwise, staff are responsible for providing their own food.

Housing

Institute staff housing may be available in Marblemount or at the Diablo Learning Center, depending on availability and fluctuating staff needs. Institute housing is $300/month or staff can provide their own housing. One NCI staff housing site in Marblemount, allows pets. Pets are not allowed at any other NCI housing or at the Learning Center. Smoking is not allowed at any NCI program or residential sites.

Start Date

Late August 2022

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

North Cascades Institute requires all employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and to provide proof of inoculation unless a reasonable accommodation is approved. All new hires are expected to comply with these requirements upon employment.

North Cascades Institute's mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature. 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 and backgrounds experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests, people and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest – so that all will care for and protect this special place.

North Cascades Institute is a respected leader among U.S. environmental education organizations, and we believe that sustainable communities are built on healthy environments, vibrant economies and social equity. The Institute is in sound financial health with a $4 million budget and strong reserves, and 15 four-star ratings with Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.