Program Coordinator - Mountain School & Family Getaways

This position coordinates education programs at the EnvironmentalLearning Center. Program Coordinators provide leadership for Instituteprograms, supervise Program Instructors at the Learning Center, andoffer instructional support as necessary. This position willcoordinate the logistics and delivery of the Mountain School programduring the school year, and Family Getaways during the summer. Theymay also support other Learning Center programs from time to time. Asuccessful candidate may hail from a variety of professionalbackgrounds but loves teaching, being outdoors, and is inspired towork with children.

Position Location and Description

The work location for the Environmental Program Instructor is atthe North Cascades Environmental Learning Center (ELC) located inthe heart of the North Cascades National Park on the shore of DiabloLake. Mountain School takes place from February to the beginning ofJune. Family Getaways and other programs (see below) proceed fromJune to early September. Mountain School resumes in September andcontinues to mid-December.

Mountain School is our principal school-based education program. Itis a nationally recognized overnight outdoor school experience thatannually serves approximately 3000 participants. Students spend threedays and two nights at the ELC, hike under towering trees, exploreterrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and learn about the rich naturaland cultural history of one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.

Summer:

ELC-Based Programs

Family Getaways - Summer camp for families and friends. Staff hostand teach a variety of engaging activities for all ages including, dayhikes,nature based activities, natural history lessons, paddling onour big canoes, and campfire programs.

Conferences and Retreats - Staff support these activities by teachingshort programs, leading canoe outings, and engaging with guests tohelp NCI reach a broader audience. Events range from medical trainingto scientific conferences to wedding weekends.

Base Camps - Educational weekend retreats for individuals, families,friends, or anyone who is looking to learn about and explore theNorth Cascades. Staff host and teach short programs throughout the event.

Responsibilities

Administration of Programs (50%):

• Coordinate Mountain School and Family Getaways
• Communicate with school staff in preparation for Mountain School
• Facilitate Mountain School briefings, orientations, and debriefs
• Facilitate Mountain School and Family Getaways staff training
• Develop and manage weekly staff teaching schedule
• Assist with hiring of Program Instructors
• Maintain and manage inventory of program and educational materials
• Collaborate with program leadership to conduct ongoing review of curriculum
• Provide administrative and program support to program managers, as needed

Field Supervision & Instruction (40%):

• Supervise Environmental Learning Center program instruction staff
• Manage curriculum and observations for Mountain School and Family Getaways
• Conduct teaching observations of Program Instructors
• Coordinate team meetings for Program Instructors
• Serve as Instructor for Mountain School and Family Getaways, as needed
• Assist and/or instruct in other Learning Center program areas asneeded including, but not limited to: Conferences & Retreats,Adult Seminars, and Base Camp

General (10%):

• Support equity initiatives at North Cascades Institute andactively contribute to NCI as a community of belonging that iswelcoming and accessible to everyone
• Drive Institute vehicles with program participants, including vans
• Provide leadership in risk management before, during, and afterprograms including prompt review and follow-up of incident reports
• Support marketing and registration activities that promote enrollment
• Attend and participate in staff and department meetings
• Other duties as assigned
• The location is remote, in the forested mountains of the NorthCascades ecosystem, and is home to many forms of wildlife - animalsand plants that require knowledgeable and responsible cautionarybehavior. Employees are required to use appropriate safety equipmentand follow standard safety practices.
• Given the remote setting, reliable transportation is required.
• Weather can vary from hot and dry to cold, rainy, and snowy.Candidates must be able to use personal outdoor equipment to leadprograms in all weather conditions.
• The position requires occasional travel by car to other worksitesor meeting places.
• Working hours include evenings and weekends, and may occasionallyinclude overtime.

Physical Demands

• Sit, stand, dance, talk, yell, sing, and hear, use hands andfingers to operate field equipment; reach with hands and arms.
• Job duties are often carried out while hiking over uneven terrainwith participants.
• Candidates may be trained to use and lead canoe programs duringsummer programs.
• Candidates must be able to lift, load, pack, and carry teachingmaterials and field equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.

Housing

Subsidized housing available. Private rooms in shared houses aretypically available. In some cases, roommates in shared rooms may be required.

Key Dates

Anticipated Start Date: As soon as possible

Anticipated Furlough: December 16, 2024 - January 15, 2025

Application Deadline

Review of applications will begin immediately. Position will remainopen until filled.

To Apply

Please apply online on our website by selecting the "ApplyNow" tab at the bottom of this page. Complete the onlineapplication and upload a resume and a cover letter.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority atNorth Cascades Institute. The Institute does not discriminate on thebasis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, genderexpression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mentaldisability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status,age, citizenship or any other basis prohibited by law in any of itspolicies or programs.

North Cascades Institute's mission is to inspire environmentalstewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature.Since 1986, we have helped connect people, nature and communitythrough science, art, literature and the hands-on study of natural andcultural history. Our goal is to help people of all ages andbackgrounds experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests,people and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest - so all will care forand protect this special place.

Opened in 2005, the Learning Center is a collaboration between NorthCascades Institute, the National Park Service, and Seattle City Light,The Learning Center is in the heart of some of North America s mostbeautiful, wild landscapes and offers extraordinary opportunities foroutdoor recreation and nature connection. This region has beeninhabited by native tribes for over 9,000 years and native culture andsociety remain active and vibrant in their ancestral homelands here.

Experience and Skills:

Required Qualifications

• Experience working successfully in teams
• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, or higher
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures,and ages
• Ability to communicate kindly, clearly, and productively viaemail, in person, and over the phone
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends
• Ability to work and live in a small, rural community

Final offer of employment is contingent upon the successfulcompletion of a background check that may include employment history,national criminal background check, national sex offender registrysearch and a driving history check.Valid driver s license and drivingrecord check must have no more than one moving violation in the pastthree years, no DUI, reckless driving or serious moving violations, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor s degree or equivalent experience in related field
• Experience working or living in communities that are historicallymarginalized or underrepresented in the field of environmental education
• Experience working at residential learning centers, camps,schools, or similar facilities
• Previous supervisory experience
• Possession of current driver s license; acceptable driving recordfor past 3 years
• Fluency in multiple languages, Spanish preference

Compensation:

This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position subject to a winterfurlough (unpaid) of one month.

• The pay rate is $18-$19 per hour, depending on experience and training.
• Overtime pay is 1.5x base pay and will occasionally be required.
• Most weeks, coordinators will work 40 hours. Some weeks,especially around season transitions and school holidays, will havelighter hours.
• Paid holidays: 12 days per year
• Sick leave: ~8 hours accrued per month
• Vacation leave: 10 days accrued in first year, with increasingdays in successive years
• $300 annual stipend to participate in Institute programs
• Ability to participate in Institute pro deals
• Medical/dental insurance, long and short-term disabilityinsurance, and tax-deferred annuity and contribution retirement plan

There are also opportunities for occasional attendance/participationat conferences or other professional development opportunities.

Housing:

Subsidized housing available. Private rooms in shared houses aretypically available. In some cases, roommates in shared rooms may be required.

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