SUMMARY

The Youth Leadership Assistant Coordinator’s role is to support the Youth Leadership Coordinator and Program Manager in implementing the Youth Leadership Adventures program. This position will help with overall student recruiting and enrollment, course planning, staff training, curriculum development, and student mentorship. During the summer, this position will lead two to three camping, backpacking, canoeing, stewardship, leadership development, and field science courses, either 8 or 12 days in length, for students ages 14-18. Additionally, this position will assist with summer coordination of backcountry courses when not in the field. Learn more about the program on our website: ncascades.org/youth

This position is temporary, 9-month seasonal position. The position’s work location is our administrative office in Sedro-Woolley, WA from February through late-May and then again September through November. In the summer  (generally the last week of May through end of August), this position’s work location will be at North Cascades Institute’s Environmental Learning Center in North Cascades National Park. This position reports to the Youth Leadership Coordinator.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·       Experience leading backcountry canoe camping and/or backpacking trips for youth for at least one season

·       Excellent communication, public speaking, interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills with strong attention to detail

·       Bachelor’s degree with two years relevant experience and/or training

·       Ability to prioritize effectively and handle multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously

·       Good judgment and ability to work independently and reliably

·       Energetic, flexible, motivated, and professional

·       Willing to work outdoors and full days and evenings, including multiple overnight camping trips during the summer, and occasionally evening/weekend work during the rest of the year

·       Ability to monitor and model safe work habits on extensive overnight backcountry trips. Familiar with backcountry and risk management practices

·       Comfortable working in both office and remote environments that require traveling long distances

·       Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record

·       Ability to pass a criminal history disclosure and background check

·       Current Wilderness First Responder certification (or ability to obtain before June, 2017)

·       Ability to lift up to 75lbs occasionally, carry at least a 50 lb. backpack, and hike over uneven terrain

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

·       Experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and cultures and ability to teach and model culturally responsive skills and practices. Committed to equity work and culturally relevant institutional change

·       Two or more seasons of experience teaching high school-aged youth in wilderness, canoe-based, service, and residential/field programs

·       Experience training and mentoring staff in backcountry leadership, risk management, teaching, and curriculum development

·       Enthusiasm for learning and teaching about the natural world and knowledge of North Cascades natural and cultural history

·       Experience leading service projects in the backcountry, including trail and campground maintenance and field science projects

·       Knowledge of basic scientific principles and ability to teach them

·       Strong ability to teach canoeing and water safety skills

·       Experience (or willingness to be trained) with driving 14-passenger small buses

·       Competency in Microsoft Office and Google Docs, spreadsheet management, data entry, presentation software (Prezi), and social media tools (or similar)

RESPONSIBILITIES

·       Recruitment and Enrollment: Recruit and enroll high school students for summer courses and Northwest Youth Leadership Summit including coordinating and developing relationships with teachers, giving presentations, conducting interviews, and processing applications and paperwork. Coordinate participant travel arrangements and registration paperwork. Collaborate with registration staff, as needed.

·       Leadership and Teaching: Serve as instructional lead in teaching and supervising high school students during three 8 and 12-day canoe camping and backpacking trips, including mentorship of interns, graduate students, and staff and completion of pre- and post-trip duties. Support training, supervision, and management of staff, including graduate students, interns, and co-instructors.

·       Mentorship: Mentor alumni, assist with job placement, college applications, internships, and professional development opportunities, and help to further develop and strengthen pathways for youth to participate in next-step opportunities. Maintain social media pages and communicate opportunities to alumni regularly through blogs, emails, and social media updates.

·       Youth Leadership Ambassadors: Assist with co-leading monthly Saturday field trips and afterschool trainings during winter/spring for Youth Leadership Ambassadors. Assist College Access Coordinator with program implementation, as needed. Strengthen pathways for youth to engage in Youth Leadership courses and events.

·       Food/Gear Management: Plan program menus, coordinate food ordering, and supervise food packing. Manage inventory, maintenance, and storage of program equipment and supplies.

·       Course Planning/Curriculum Development: Support development and management of detailed course itineraries, including managing service projects and coordinating with visiting instructors and personnel, as needed. Research, develop, implement, and document lessons to supplement program curricula.

·       Other duties, as assigned.

START DATE:

February 6, 2017 preferred. Position will go through November 10, 2017.

COMPENSATION:

This is a seasonal/temporary, full-time, non-exempt position, eligible for overtime. Wage range is $14.00-$16.00/hour, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits include sick leave and holiday pay. During the summer and working from the 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 housing, during programs, or on the Institute’s campus.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Review of applications will begin immediately. Position will remain open until January 2, 2017.

North Cascades Institute is committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourages applications from candidates who are persons of color. We believe that having a diverse staff who reflects the communities we serve is essential to providing culturally inclusive 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. Charity Navigator has awarded the Institute 11 Four-Star ratings, 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. For more information, please visit our webpage at: www.ncascades.org