Position Summary
The Youth Leadership Program Coordinator, will develop, implement and coordinate the Green Mountain Audubon Center’s youth leadership program. Specifically, they will be responsible for Audubon Vermont’s (AVT) young-adult based programs; paid internship program for undergraduates and graduate students, our campus chapter program, and our paid Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program and Jr. Conservation Technician program. In addition, they will work with partner organizations serving young adults. The Youth Leadership Program Coordinator will manage our youth leadership alumni group to serve as a professional networking and conservation career pipeline within National Audubon and beyond. The Youth Leadership Program Coordinator will work directly with an evaluation consultant to develop and implement evaluation tools for the youth leadership program.
Audubon Vermont is committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment, reflecting the diversity of our community in its board, staff, volunteers, and members; ensuring its internal culture, business practices, and programs are welcoming and advance its diversity goals; and empowering people to make positive changes in their community and environment. Audubon Vermont’s Youth Leadership Program Coordinator is expected to serve diverse audiences and help advance Audubon Vermont’s diversity strategies.
This position is full-time with benefits. Learn more and apply here.
Salary range: $16.30-$19/hr
Overview
The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.
Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.
Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.
Essential Functions
• Oversee a comprehensive paid internship program, aimed at undergrad and graduate students, ensuring alignment with center, state and national conservation plans.
• Coordinate with center and state staff to implement internships for AVT’s education, conservation and policy programs.
• Develop trainings, conceptual frameworks, support materials, assessment tools, and other elements as needed. Partner with professional evaluation consultant to build program assessment tools to evaluate all aspects of our youth leadership program.
• Using the University of Vermont (UVM) Audubon campus chapter as a model, work with other colleges and/or organized groups to engage college students in meaningful conservation projects.
• Develop lesson plans and serve as the lead teacher for the Junior Conservation Technician program. Hire teens to participate in that program annually.
• Hire teen CITs to participate in the Audubon’s summer camp program. Lead CIT trainings, act as main point of contact, assist Camp Director with scheduling their time at camp and conduct exit interviews.
• Manage a youth leadership development alumni group that will help alumni stay connected with the National Audubon network and each other.
• Maintain and develop partnerships with organizations serving young adults (including the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps) to cultivate youth conservation leaders.
• Develop new partnerships with colleges, universities, research institutions, and other conservation organizations to grow the youth leadership program.
• Assist with fundraising efforts for the youth leadership program including organizing special events, written promotion for the program, grant writing/reporting and cultivation of donors.
• Develop and deliver intern training sessions. Responsible for recruitment and marketing; communication with interns and campus chapter advisors and members.
• Write articles for Audubon Vermont news feeds online and other social media outlets.
• Keep youth leadership webpages updated.
• Coordinate interns and other youth leaders to submit stories and share experiences online and elsewhere.
• Interact and work with the public, Audubon members, campus advisors and other partner organizations.
• Assist staff and volunteers in the daily operations and maintenance of GMAC.
• Partner with Audubon staff to ensure equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging principles are incorporated into our work and our programs.
• Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree in the natural sciences, conservation and/or education or related field.
• A minimum of three years demonstrated experience in conservation science or education setting including teaching, program coordination and work with young adults.
• Demonstrated knowledge of conservation and outdoor educational program design and assessment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of wildlife and conservation issues, and ability to articulate them and inspire participation.
• Experience with measurement and evaluation best practices strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to see a project through from start to finish.
• Attention to detail, excellent time-management and organizational skills, sound judgment under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems creatively.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of the natural history of Vermont and New England region, and the ability to pass on that knowledge to people of all ages, primarily young adults.
• Capacity to work easily and effectively with a wide range of people, build relationships, be diplomatic and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the dynamics of a complex organization.
• Interest, understanding and commitment to Audubon Vermont’s mission and vision.
• Knowledge and commitment to conservation of birds and other wildlife and their habitats.
• Must be willing to participate in maintenance projects and visitor services.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to work long, flexible hours when needed, including weekends and evenings.
• Must be willing to travel as the job requires.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
EEO Statement
The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.
Accessibility Statement
The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
COVID Policy
All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.
This position is full-time with benefits. Learn more and apply here.
