Summary
This position coordinates education programs at the Environmental
Learning Center. Program Coordinators provide leadership for Institute
programs, supervise Program Instructors at the Learning Center, and
offer instructional support as necessary. This position will
coordinate the logistics and delivery of the Mountain School program
during the school year, and Family Getaways during the summer. They
may also support other Learning Center programs from time to time. A
successful candidate may hail from a variety of professional
backgrounds but loves teaching, being outdoors, and is inspired to
work with children.
Position Location and Description
The work location for the Environmental Program Instructor is at
the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center (ELC) located in
the heart of the North Cascades National Park on the shore of Diablo
Lake. Mountain School takes place from February to the beginning of
June. Family Getaways and other programs (see below) proceed from
June to early September. Mountain School resumes in September and
continues to mid-December.
Spring & Fall:
Mountain School
Mountain School is our principal school-based education program. It
is a nationally recognized overnight outdoor school experience that
annually serves approximately 3000 participants. Students spend three
days and two nights at the ELC, hike under towering trees, explore
terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and learn about the rich natural
and 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 host
and teach a variety of engaging activities for all ages including, day
hikes,nature based activities, natural history lessons, paddling on
our big canoes, and campfire programs.
Conferences and Retreats - Staff support these activities by teaching
short programs, leading canoe outings, and engaging with guests to
help NCI reach a broader audience. Events range from medical training
to scientific conferences to wedding weekends.
Base Camps - Educational weekend retreats for individuals, families,
friends, or anyone who is looking to learn about and explore the
North 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 as
needed including, but not limited to: Conferences & Retreats,
Adult Seminars, and Base Camp
General (10%):
- Support equity initiatives at North Cascades Institute and
actively contribute to NCI as a community of belonging that is
welcoming and accessible to everyone
- Drive Institute vehicles with program participants, including vans
- Serve as day-time incident commander
- Provide leadership in risk management before, during, and after
programs 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
Working Environment
- The location is remote, in the forested mountains of the North
Cascades ecosystem, and is home to many forms of wildlife - animals
and plants that require knowledgeable and responsible cautionary
behavior. Employees are required to use appropriate safety equipment
and 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 lead
programs in all weather conditions.
- The position requires occasional travel by car to other worksites
or meeting places.
- Working hours include evenings and weekends, and may occasionally
include overtime.
Physical Demands
- Sit, stand, dance, talk, yell, sing, and hear, use hands and
fingers to operate field equipment; reach with hands and arms.
- Job duties are often carried out while hiking over uneven terrain
with participants.
- Candidates may be trained to use and lead canoe programs during
summer programs.
- Candidates must be able to lift, load, pack, and carry teaching
materials and field equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
Housing
Subsidized housing available. Private rooms in shared houses are
typically 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 remain
open until filled.
To Apply
Please apply online on our website by selecting the "Apply
Now" tab at the bottom of this page. Complete the online
application and upload a resume and a cover letter.
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.
Opened in 2005, the Learning Center is a collaboration between North
Cascades Institute, the National Park Service, and Seattle City Light,
The Learning Center is in the heart of some of North America’s most
beautiful, wild landscapes and offers extraordinary opportunities for
outdoor recreation and nature connection. This region has been
inhabited by native tribes for over 9,000 years and native culture and
society remain active and vibrant in their ancestral homelands here.
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 via
email, in person, and over the phone
- Strong customer service skills
- 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 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. 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.
Preferred Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in related field
- Experience working or living in communities that are historically
marginalized 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 record
for past 3 years
- Fluency in multiple languages, Spanish preference
Compensation:
This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position subject to a winter
furlough (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 have
lighter hours.
Benefits:
- Paid holidays: 12 days per year
- Sick leave: ~8 hours accrued per month
- Vacation leave: 10 days accrued in first year, with increasing
days in successive years
- Service days: 2 days
- $300 annual stipend to participate in Institute programs
- Ability to participate in Institute pro deals
- Medical/dental insurance, long and short-term disability
insurance, and tax-deferred annuity and contribution retirement plan
There are also opportunities for occasional attendance/participation
at conferences or other professional development opportunities.
Housing:
Subsidized housing available. Private rooms in shared houses are
typically available. In some cases, roommates in shared rooms may be required.