SUMMARY OF POSITION

North Cascades Institute is seeking a candidate who is passionate about breaking down barriers to access to the outdoors and wants to support high school students getting involved with the Youth Leadership Adventures  (YLA) program. The Assistant Coordinator position will lead recruitment, registration and enrollment of students for this program, as well as support with logistics and administrative support while trips are out during the summer season.

The Youth Leadership Assistant Coordinator will serve as the primary liaison with schools and teachers in order to recruit students, and with students and families as they prepare to come on their YLA trip. Our youth population is representative of students from our region. This includes students from a diversity of backgrounds and identities such as people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, English Language Learners, students from low income backgrounds, students from rural and urban communities, and recent immigrants. Therefore, we seek applications who both reflect our student populations and other groups that are under-represented in the field of environmental education, and those who have experience and skills working with the above populations. The Youth Leadership Assistant Coordinator will implement a recruitment strategy that seeks to remove barriers to outdoor access and make students from a wide array of identities feel welcome and comfortable with the idea of spending time in the outdoors. During the winter and spring, they will work with teachers and school districts around Whatcom and Skagit counties to spread the word about our program, as well as build relationships with students and families and manage student applications and paperwork. During the summer season, this position will continue building on the relationships created with students as the Assistant Coordinator assist with logistics and course support while trips are in the field in the North Cascades. This position is supervised by the Youth Leadership Coordinator.

POSITION LOCATION

The position’s typical work location is our administrative office in Sedro-Woolley, WA from February through late-May and at our North Cascades Environmental Learning Center late May-August. Due to COVID-19, this position will be working remotely until further notice. May-August will require work in person at the Environmental Learning Center.

COMMITMENT TO MISSION AND VALUES

Successful candidates will have a commitment to the mission of North Cascades Institute and the organization’s effort to promote diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the Institute’s culture, work and partnering relationships to ensure that the Institute and its programs are welcoming, relevant and accessible.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Recruitment and Enrollment (45%):

●      Develop recruitment strategy with Coordinator and Manager

●      Communicate directly with teachers and school officials to put recruitment strategy into action

●      Develop relationships with teachers and students in order to bring a diverse audience of students to Youth Leadership Adventures

●      Attract students to the program through recruitment presentations primarily online and potentially in high school classrooms, using skilled public speaking and culturally relevant delivery (subject to change due to COVID-19)

●      Work with Institute staff to process applicant paperwork and enroll participants, coordinate student travel and enter student information into database

●      Develop relationships with participants and their families pre-course through the enrollment process and Family Orientation Meetings

●      Manage program waitlist and reach out to new participants as space becomes available
 

Student & Staff Mentorship (10%)

●      Provide mentorship, role-modeling, support and potentially facilitate lessons or activities with students when interacting with groups in the field

●      Support field staff during in the field visits, offering observations, coaching and support as needed

Logistics and Course Support (35%)

●      Assist with participant transportation by picking up and dropping off students at trailheads and in local communities in vans and 14-passenger buses (vehicle driver training provided)

●      Serve as on-call support while courses are in the field. Assist with participant evacuations as needed.

●      Assist with backcountry resupplies

●      Support field staff in preparing for and unpacking from trips. Assist with food packing, gear preparation, cleaning and maintain gear, preparing ELC for student arrival and departure.

●      Support with purchasing and organization of food and gear systems

●      Serve as a back-up instructor in the field, as needed

Equity & Inclusion (5%)

●      Support equity initiatives at North Cascades Institute and actively contribute to NCI as a community of belonging that is welcoming and accessible to everyone. Develop a personal equity, diversion and inclusion related goal (s) and track progress towards your goal(s) with your supervisor

General (5%)

●      Assist in facilitating summer training for program staff and interns

●      Participate in ELC-based and field-based trainings

●      Manage photos and videos from courses

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

●      Other duties, as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

●      Experience with backcountry programming, as a participant or leader

●      Public speaking or teaching experience

●      Effective communication, problem solving and interpersonal skills

●      Lived or work experience within the diverse communities of Skagit and Whatcom county.

●      Lived or work experience in communities that are historically marginalized or underrepresented in the field of environmental education

●      Ability to accommodate a varied work schedule including some evenings, nights, and weekends

●      Current Wilderness First Responder certification (or ability to obtain before June, 2021, paid for by NCI)

●      Commitment to equity and inclusion within NCI community and outside community relations

Preferred Qualifications

●      Spanish language speaking and writing proficiency

●      At least one year experience working with teens or college-aged youth in school, camps, community programs or other setting

●      At least one season working with wilderness, canoe-based, and or residential/field programs

●      Experience with community outreach and relationship building

●      Experience supporting students from diverse backgrounds and cultures and ability to teach and model culturally responsive skills and practices.

●      Experience working/volunteering in environmental justice or social justice field

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

 Other Requirements

●      Ability to comply with a smoke- and drug-free work environment

●      Ability to travel over uneven terrain and spend multiple nights in the backcountry

●      Ability to interact with participants in person at the Environmental Learning Center June-September

●      Possession of current driver’s license; acceptable driving record for past 3 years

●      Criminal history disclosure form and background check will be required

Successful candidates must also be willing and prepared to reside and sleep in a remote area and will need to successfully complete a criminal history disclosure and background check. This position requires a Wilderness First Responder certification.

COMPENSATION

This is a temporary/seasonal, full-time position, nonexempt position. The wage is $14.50 per hour. Benefits include sick leave and holiday pay.

HOUSING

Shared rental housing is available for the duration of the position, either at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center or in the neighboring town of Marblemount at the cost of $300/month. Free housing is available during the summer season (late-May through early September) at both of these locations. Employees are responsible for their own transportation. Having your own vehicle is strongly encouraged due to the remote location of the Environmental Learning Center.

START DATE

Preferred start date is February 8th, 2021, later start date negotiable if necessary

JOB DURATION

Feb 8th or earliest available - Sept. 3, 2021

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Open until filled, priority given to applications received by January 22th

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis

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'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 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.