Summary Description:

The Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC) Youth Opportunities Program (YOP) makes the outdoors accessible to more than 35,000 youth each year.  We accomplish this by providing training and support to hundreds of youth workers and teachers throughout the Northeast who independently lead youth groups into the outdoors.  YOP prioritizes the participation of organizations serving youth groups from urban and lower income communities. YOP’s continuum of services includes outdoor leadership trainings, free equipment loans, trip planning assistance, professional development, reduced lodging rates at AMC destinations, and youth adventures.  This unique model enables our YOP-trained partners to use the outdoors to meet their youth development goals.  YOP is expanding rapidly and looking for talented individuals to join our team, which aims to serve at least 60,000 youth per year by 2020.

The Leadership Training Coordinator supports YOP’s efforts in the New York and New Jersey region, which currently serves over 400 youth workers and over 10,000 youth annually.  The coordinator will be part of a collaborative team responsible for the implementation of our training and support program model.  The primary of focus of this position is to oversee the successful implementation of quality, safety-minded, and impactful YOP Outdoor Leadership Trainings and advanced skills workshops for youth workers and teachers.    Responsibilities also include outreach, training logistics, instructing trainings, and mentoring volunteer instructors.

The NY/NJ YOP Leadership Training Coordinator is based both at AMC’s New York City office, approximately 70% of time, with the balance shared between our Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ and Harriman Outdoor Center, NY.  Occasional regional travel is also required. Start date September 2016.

Primary Responsibilities:

Outdoor Leadership Training: Oversee the planning, delivery and coordination of high quality and impactful Outdoor Leadership Trainings and advanced skills workshops, training a minimum of 250 youth workers per year. Coordinate screening, registration, payment, and confirmation for all training applicants.  Organize staff and volunteer support.

Outreach: Support YOP’s annual outreach plan to recruit youth workers from organizations and schools serving urban and lower income communities. Develop new strategies to increase success. Conduct phone calls, attend open houses, maintain outreach database, and compile annual mailings.

Volunteer Management: Support, and engage YOP’s Volunteer Logistics Crew, composed of dedicated youth workers providing support for trainings and events.  Develop and oversee a calendar of volunteer events.  Provide professional development and support our exceptional volunteer instructors.

Instruction: Lead impactful and safety-minded hiking, camping, backpacking, canoeing, and snowshoeing trainings for youth workers. Model expedition behavior and risk management best practices, promote experiential learning, and facilitate debriefs.

Risk Management: Implement AMC and YOP risk management procedures in all trainings, trips, and workshops.  Provide backup logistical and emergency support to trips in the field.  Provide on-call coverage.

Reporting:  Write reports, compile program highlights, and share lessons learned. Complete pre- and post-training administrative duties including compiling statistics, filing, and organizing documents and photographs.  Accurately and effectively utilize YOP’s outcomes measurement database and online YOP Member Hub.

Collaboration: Work in partnership with all YOP staff in New York and Boston for program planning and delivery. 
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience:

We seek a responsible, energetic, and organized individual who is dedicated to the mission of YOP to make the outdoors accessible to all. 

Background and experience in outdoor leadership or recreation, environmental education or studies, youth development, education or related field.

• Experience leading outdoor trips for youth and adults. Must be able to work comfortably and professionally in office and in field. 
• At least three years of outdoor leadership experience and in facilitation required. At least two years of program administration experience required.
• Experience with and interest in conducting community outreach, New York City-based experience a plus.
• Strong outdoor leadership skills including backpacking, hiking, camping, canoeing, and winter skills.
• Experience working on diverse teams and with people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Ability to take initiative and produce results.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail. 
• Ability to hike and camp in mountain terrain carrying a 40-50-pound pack, in all weather conditions. Ability to lift 65 pounds from ground to waist height.
• Ability to drive 12-passenger van safely and possession of a clear personal driving history.  Must hold valid driver’s license and be able to pass a DOT medical exam.
• Must be flexible and able to work weekends and evenings. 
• Up-to-date computer skills and willingness to learn and utilize Efforts to Outcomes database system and other programs.
• Wilderness First Aid required.  WFR preferred.
• Spanish/English bilingual is a plus.