Wild Whatcom is an outdoor education non-profit organization based in Bellingham, Washington, serving people of all ages throughout Whatcom County, with a focus on school-aged youth. Programs are offered year round, including school day and after school programs, weekend outings, summer camps, Ladies Night out, Community Field Trips, and much more! Visit our website to learn more about all of our program offerings: www.wildwhatcom.org

Wild Whatcom seeks a Community and Volunteer Programs Manager to oversee and support the development of Wild Whatcom Community and Volunteer Programs. This role is primarily responsible for the development, oversight, evaluation, and quality of all Community Programs as well as volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and appreciation. 

Position Description

This position is full time (35+ hours per week), salaried at $38,000-$42,000; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. In addition to accrued paid time off, salaried positions also received paid holidays. This position will have a varied schedule based on programming, including some weekends and evenings. The start date for this position is Aug 15, 2022. 

Wild Whatcom does not currently offer traditional health care benefits (though we are working toward that). However, there are a variety of other benefits offered to staff, such as paid professional development opportunities, subsidized wilderness medicine certifications, gear stipends, and annual Discover passes. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Programs (70%)

• Guide program implementation including, but not limited to, registration, outreach, management interest and/or wait list, and parent communications
• Work with the Program Director and Executive Director to financially manage Community Programs: creating annual budgets, developing outreach and promotion plans, supporting partnership development, etc.
• Work with the Program Director to build schedules for Community programs; collaborate with existing staff and hire new staff to ensure all programs are staffed as consistently as possible
• Support the Program Director in planning regular trainings for Community Programs as needed 
• Support the development of new programs and outings in coordination with the Program Director and Community Programs Coordinator, including reaching out to community partners
• Make cancellation decisions in tandem with Community Programs Coordinator and/or On-Call Staff and/or Program Director
• Work with other Program Coordinators and Managers to continue to build and develop a database of curriculum/tools/tips for field staff to use within Community Programs including, but not limited to, outing plans, curriculum bins, and themes across Community Programs
• Participate in organizational team meetings (e.g. Speetings, visioning sessions) as needed to communicate program successes and learnings; work with other program managers and coordinators to ensure consistency for field staff
• Work with the Program Director and Executive Director to ensure programs align with Wild Whatcom’s mission and goals 
• Sustain positive staff morale while supervising a team of field mentors and conduct regular staff evaluations and provide ongoing, constructive feedback
• Provide support in the field as needed for subbing or additional support (e.g. during new programs, outings with high attendance)
• Continue to develop the process for gathering feedback from participants to inform future program development and offerings as well as spearhead and deepen metrics tracking processes for Community Programs
• Integrate, maintain, and monitor necessary risk management practices for Community Programs, and ensure staff follow these practices
• Write and collaborate with others on grants and fundraising efforts as requested and/or support in the tracking of metrics, feedback, etc. for grant reports
• Work with administrative staff to produce and distribute general outreach materials, participate in community outreach events, and maintain digital communications regarding programming

Volunteer Program (30%)

• Support the Executive Director and Development and Outreach Manager in developing external outreach materials to recruit volunteers
• Host 2-3 volunteer orientations per year, including coordinating with other staff and board members for support
• Support the maintenance and development of the Volunteer Interest List and RegPack volunteer portal
• Track volunteers in Little Green Light (constituent relationship management software) and ensure volunteers are regularly stewarded, onboarded, and scheduled for work
• Plan regular volunteer appreciation opportunities 
• Develop and organize volunteer exit interviews or surveys as appropriate to gather feedback and continue developing Wild Whatcom’s volunteer program
• Support the Executive Director and Development and Outreach Manager in organizing and staffing community events to raise awareness about the organization and volunteer opportunities

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The below-mentioned list includes some of the preferred qualifications that we think will set an individual up for success in this role. If you have a combination of some of them, have similar experience, or believe you may fulfill this role well, please reach out!

• Flexibility, creativity, a sense of humor, and eagerness to learn and grow.
• 2+ years experience in a leadership role that included program oversight and development, including:
  • Organizing events and programs including from promotion to day-of set up and follow up
  • Program assessment and development 
  • Budget management, including budget preparation and financial tracking or willingness to learn
  • Staff management, including providing positive, collaborative working relationships
  • Working with volunteers, including fostering new relationships, onboarding, and appreciation 
• Passion for facilitating meaningful connections to nature and community, ideally with a basic knowledge of ecology and/or outdoor skills
• Ability to energetically and accurately represent Wild Whatcom to a variety of constituents including volunteers, community partners, parents, and other organizations.
• Superior interpersonal, public, and written communication skills
• Ability to prioritize effectively and handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ease and comfort using Google systems, Microsoft Office Suite, social media and graphic design platforms (e.g. Canva) or a willingness to learn.