Parks in Focus® is a program of the Udall Foundation that provides opportunities for middle school youth from underserved communities to explore nature and our public lands through photography, positive outdoor experiences, and environmental education.

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Udall Foundation is seeking an enthusiastic, organized, and highly motivated individual to lead Parks in Focus activities with groups of youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula (East Palo Alto & Menlo Park), the Sequoia YMCA (Redwood City), and Real Options for City Kids (San Francisco). The trip leader will spend the summer organizing and leading local field trips in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as three 5-day camping trips to Yosemite National Park.

The selected trip leader will receive training, be provided with program curriculum and resources, and work closely with staff from the Udall Foundation, our partner youth organizations, and volunteers.

Total hours per week will vary from 15 during preparatory weeks to 70 during trip weeks; the position is expected to consist of approximately 400 hours*. The position will begin May 25 (tentative) and will continue through August 15. There may be an opportunity to resume the position in summer 2021 if performance is satisfactory and other considerations, such as funding, are obtained.

PARKS IN FOCUS DUTIES

Training & Program Preparation
• Attend a multiday training program (tentatively June 1 to 5, 2020).
• Become familiar with Parks in Focus mission, goals, curriculum, and resources.
• Visit Yosemite and other activity sites for scouting and risk management planning.
• Host info meetings for participants, parents, and partners.

Program Implementation
• Finalize activity itineraries and handle all logistics (e.g., food purchasing).
• Lead assigned Parks in Focus activities and field trips.
• Ensure activities run smoothly and safely.
• Teach photography curriculum and meet educational goals for each activity.
• Work with participants to develop their photography skills.
• Lead games, songs, journaling, and other activities with participants.
• Help energize and motivate participants, partner staff, and volunteers.
• Ensure activities are well documented through photo and video.
• Ensure all participant forms and evaluation data are gathered and complete.

Program Reporting & Other Tasks
• Provide scheduled updates and reports to the program manager in Tucson.
• Organize all photographs, video footage, evaluation data, and other deliverables.
• Prepare photo highlights for all participants, staff, and partners.
• Plan and host post-trip celebrations for participants and their families.
• Write and submit a brief final evaluation.
• Perform other administrative tasks as assigned.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Love of the outdoors and ability to spark that love in others.
• Experience working with middle school youth in outdoor and overnight settings.
• Experienced and comfortable with camping, hiking, and being outdoors.
• Ability to assess and manage risks associated with outdoor activities.
• Interest in photography and willingness to learn and teach basic curriculum.
• Positive, upbeat attitude, and ability to adapt to changing demands.
• Strong writing, communication, teaching, leadership, and teamwork skills.
• Knowledge of the Bay Area and/or Yosemite National Park highly desired.
• Ability to lead and participate in physically challenging outdoor activities (e.g., extensive walking, hiking, backpacking, and camping) while carrying heavy objects.
• Valid driver’s license, clean-driving record, and access to reliable transportation.
• Must have current First Aid and CPR certifications prior to start date.
• Wilderness First Aid certification highly desired.
• Summer home base in/near Bay Area (housing is not provided).
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be willing to provide fingerprints for a criminal background check.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit the Udall Foundation’s website at udall.gov.

* Estimate of total work hours for the trip leader in summer 2020. Actual total may be less if weather, natural disasters, or other unexpected events necessitate trip cancellations.