JOB DESCRIPTION:
SUMMARY
Based out of the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center in North Cascades National Park, the Program Coordinator provides leadership and support for North Cascades Institute’s education programs. This position works directly with the Program Manager, Institute partners and other members of the Program Team to help coordinate administrative and programmatic pieces for a suite of educational programs. This position manages the administration department based out of the Learning Center and supervises the Lead Program Assist and Administrative Assistant. The Program Coordinator leads the coordination, development and logistics for Mountain School, Natural History Certification Program and Skagit Tours. They work across program areas to assure that staffing and curricular needs are met.
The Program Coordinator is an active member of the Program Team and regularly teaches and participates in Institute education programs (adult, youth, family and field programs), including teaching as a lead instructor for adult natural and cultural history seminars. In addition to program operations and instructional duties, the Program Coordinator will be responsible for occasional overnight supervision of the Learning Center campus under direction of the Learning Center Director. This position has the responsibility to apply good judgment and discretion, particularly with the welfare and safety of all participants.
Mountain School (School year; spring and fall)
Mountain School is a nationally recognized environmental education program offered by North Cascades Institute in cooperation with North Cascades National Park. Mountain School students in grades 4-12 come to the North Cascades with their school class, teachers and chaperones to learn about the ecosystems, geology and natural and cultural history of the mountains. While at Mountain School, students spend the majority of their time outside exploring the trails and mountain ecosystems through experiential, interdisciplinary learning and community-building activities. Learning emphasizes student-centered exploration and scientific field investigation, and teaches at the convergences of science, math, art, social studies and conservation. Since 1990, Mountain School has served more than 26,000 students from local public, private and homeschool groups located within the greater North Cascades ecosystem—connecting students to the wilderness located within their backyard.
Northwest Natural History Certification
The Northwest Natural History Certification Program seeks to build a community of people skilled in the interpretation of the natural and cultural history of the Northwest, and specifically the North Cascades. No previous training in the natural sciences is required. Coursework is primarily field-based and covers subjects such as flora and fauna, geology and glaciers, cultural history of the North Cascades, interpretive training, field journaling and more. Participants also meet leaders in the field, enabling them to cultivate professional peer networks.
Skagit Tours (Summer/ early Fall)
Skagit Tours provides participants with an inside look at the relationship between humans and the landscape of the upper Skagit River. Naturalist Educators bring day-visitors on tours of the region by foot and boat, learning about the hydroelectric project, early European settlement, and pre-contact use of the landscape.
Adult, Family, and Conferences and Retreats programs (Late Spring, Summer, Early Fall)
Throughout the year, North Cascades Institute provides incredible experiential programs to adults, families and other groups at the Learning Center. Participants experience Northwest ecosystems through art, photography, literature, natural and cultural history appreciation, canoeing, recreational activities and other programs.
Responsibilities
- Serve as Mountain School program lead, including logistics and management of teaching schedule and pre-, post- and stewardship visits
- Coordination of public Northwest Natural History Certification, including program development, documentation, participant communication and guidance
- Provide oversight for on-site school programming including serving as on-campus, overnight supervisor during Mountain School and other Learning Center programs as assigned
- Collaborate with the School Outreach Coordinator for school contracts, schedules and tracking participant numbers
- Provide oversight for daily operations of Skagit Tours
- Manage and schedule resources: teaching supplies, instructional materials, vehicles, lodging, teaching spaces and outdoor equipment
- Manage administrative needs of programs at the Learning Center
- Supervise Lead Program Assist and Administrative Assistant
- Instruct in Institute education programs within areas of expertise, including natural and cultural history, science, stewardship and pre- and post- visits to classrooms as required
- Teach as lead instructor in Institute-led adult natural history seminars and adventure-based programs; develop relevant curricula with clear learning objectives and outcomes as required
- Manage curricula for Mountain School program and support continued development of curricular goals in conjunction with state and national science education standards
- Assist in developing training schedules and training teaching staff in collaboration with the program team
- Maintain relationships with schools, federal agencies and non-governmental organizations. Work with partner organizations to supervise partner staff working in Institute programming
- Oversee inventory, purchasing, maintenance and storage of program equipment
- Work collaboratively with the Program Team to manage programs
- Represent the Institute at conferences, festivals and community events as needed
- Participate in Institute’s program, risk management and Learning Center teams as needed
- Participate in strategic planning, inter-office communications and other duties as assigned by the Program Manager, Learning Center Director, Associate Director and/or Executive Director
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Manager
Application Deadline: Position open until filled
Start Date: Immediate
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, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or marital status, age, sensory, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies or 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. In 2014, Charity Navigator awarded the Institute its 11th consecutive Four-Star rating 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: www.ncascades.org
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:
Qualifications
- Masters or Bachelors degree in Environmental Education, Education, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology or related field
- Experience coordinating program logistics and training staff
- Must be willing to work with a flexible schedule including some full days, evenings and weekend work
- Residential environmental education experience a plus
- Must be creative, energetic, flexible, motivated and professional and enjoy working as a team player
- Strong attention to detail with demonstrated administrative experience and coordination skills
- At least two years demonstrated expertise in mentoring and teaching student and adult learners (experiential, environmental and/or residential programming preferred)
- Ability to apply science inquiry, natural history and ecological field skills to Pacific Northwest landscapes
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills
- Good sense of humor
- Knowledge of and commitment to the mission of North Cascades Institute
- Ability to participate in wilderness travel, walk comfortably over uneven terrain and ?lift/carry up to 50 lbs.
- Current Wilderness First Responder certification required
- Valid driver’s license and driving record check must have no more than one moving violation in the past three years, no DUI, reckless driving, or serious moving violations, etc.
- Final offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check that may include employment history, national criminal background check, national sex offender registry search and a driving history check
- Ability to work and live comfortably in a small, remote community
JOB BENEFITS:
Compensation: This is a full-time, exempt position. We offer a competitive compensation package; benefits include paid time-off, medical/dental insurance, long and short-term disability insurance, life insurance, tax-defined annuity and contribution retirement plan, a yearly stipend to participate in Institute programs and the opportunity to work in a spectacular location.
