North Cascades InstituteC16 Graduate Summer Leadership TrackYouth Leadership Adventures Graduate Assistant
Title: Youth Leadership Graduate Assistant (four positions available)
Supervised by: Julie Stone, Youth Leadership Coordinator
Lindsey MacDonald, Graduate Program Coordinator
Term: June 15 (anticipated start)-August 25, 2017 (full time) plus spring training
and student recruitment (2-4 days) with option to add additional days of
work study prior to June 15 start. Summer training starts June 7th.
Position Overview:
Assist Youth Leadership Coordinator, Assistant Coordinator, Program Manager and other program staff in ensuring Youth Leadership programming fulfills the educational mission of the Institute. Attend all trainings, assist with spring program prep, co-lead two 8-day and one 12-day summer courses, and assist with implementation of the Northwest Youth Leadership Summit in November. All positions will complete pre- and post-trip student contacts and course prep/cleanup, provide logistical support to other programs when needed, and follow-up with students to strengthen Youth Leadership opportunities. YLA Grad Track participants are also encouraged to participate in a Youth Leadership Ambassadors activity for secondary work study. More information to be announced in January. All YLA activities prior to the beginning of Grad Tracks on June 15 are eligible for secondary work-study hours (up to 10 hours/month).
Youth Leadership Adventures: Youth Leadership Adventures is a suite of opportunities to engage high school-aged youth in conservation, stewardship and leadership development in the North Cascades. This hands-on program introduces high school students to the outdoors, backcountry travel, stewardship, field science, sustainability, and public lands through curriculum-based courses while building leadership, outdoor and college readiness skills. This program provides a sequence of experiences that build on each other, thus offering deep connections to the natural world while reinforcing an ethic of conservation and engaged citizenry. Close partnerships with the National Park Service and Forest Service provide exemplary classrooms for education, stewardship opportunities, research and collaboration.
North Cascades Institute: ELC Summer Programming
As part of your Residency Portfolio, you will engage with one Family Getaway, two Base Camp days, and one adult or conference and retreat program (if you have not completed in the spring) during your summer experience. These programs expose you to a variety of unique program types and audiences.
Family Getaways: Family Getaways provide a unique opportunity for families to gather in the North Cascades. These 3-day programs are designed for family of all shapes and sizes - parents, grandparents, children, guardians, aunts and uncles and nontraditional families. With an inspiring slate of activities and outdoor adventures designed to introduce adults and children of all ages to the wonders of the natural world.. Five Family Getaway programs are running at the Learning Center during the 2017 summer season.
Base Camp: Flexible, affordable, enriching and fun, Base Camp offers participants the opportunity to stay at the Learning Center, enjoy delicious meals, participate in naturalist-led activities and engage in camaraderie with other guests and staff. This program generally bookends other educational programs such as Family Getaways, Adult Seminars, and retreat programs. This program has a wide range of participants from little ones to retirees. Programming is created by the staff who are working the programming based on the number ages and groups signed up for the program. Participants can stay for one or more nights at a time.
Conference and Retreats Program: Conference and Retreat programs are unique programs that allow groups or individuals to customize their own mountain experience. This rental program offers space for business conferences, weddings and reunions, board retreats, staff trainings and other celebrations of all kinds. Groups who rent the Institute’s facility are also offered Naturalist hikes, big canoe trips on Diablo Lake, presentations on various natural and cultural history topics, and high quality dining experiences. Staff that work these programs gain significant customer service experience and are exposed to numerous networking opportunities with a variety of organizations.
Responsibilities:
● Serve as core education staff for two 8-day and one 12-day summer courses.
● Provide logistical and curricular support, including driving, writing curriculum, contacting students, filling student drops, assisting with evacuations, repairing gear, food packing, and other duties, as assigned.
● Organize and lead 9-10 students during backpacking and canoe-camping backcountry courses.
● Develop, prep and deliver lessons. Topics may include: wilderness and public lands management, journaling reflections, camp cooking, community building, natural and cultural history, public speaking, tool safety, climate change, ecology, and more.
● Adapt and create two new lessons in areas of interest.
● Implement and lead trail, campsite, restoration, and citizen science service projects under the direction of National Park and Forest Service staff.
● Pick-up and drop-off students from Seattle to Bellingham before and after courses, as needed.
● Complete interviews for 15-20 students during the program enrollment phase.
● Assist with implementation of at least one Family Orientation Meeting in May.
● Complete pre-trip and follow-up duties, including student check-ins, compiling paperwork, post-trip emails to students, posting photos, completing incident reports, additional food purchasing, and gear cleaning/repair, etc.
● Assist with managing inventory, maintenance and storage of program equipment and supplies, including vehicles, gear and food.
● Assist with final program assessment and evaluation.
● Co-Present one breakout session during the Northwest Youth Leadership Summit on November 4, 2017. Serve as a Summit Guide and assist with other staffing needs during the Summit (may include driving students, set up, breakdown, etc.)
● Complete post-program mentorship and follow-up with students to further their engagement through our Pathways for Youth initiative. Opportunities include being a planning team member for the Northwest Youth Leadership Summit on November 4th (work study position) and/or assist in other capacities (e.g. teaching a breakout session).
● To fulfill portfolio requirements, serve as education staff for assigned ELC-based education programs
● Other duties as assigned.
Leadership Project Deliverables:
● Two lessons in area of interest
● Leadership track rubrics and reflections
● Written up notes about your students post-trip including impact stories and post-trip emails
● Co-leader evaluations
● YLA program evaluation
Required Program Outputs (due by August 18th, unless otherwise specified):
☐ Participate in Student Draft and Curriculum Training in Spring
☐ Participate in Summer Training
☐ Optional: Participate in a Youth Leadership Ambassadors activity
☐ Assist with at least one Family Orientation Meeting
☐ Complete 10-15 student interviews pre-season and submit detailed notes
☐ Write up notes about your students post-trip including impact stories (3rd trip due 24th)
☐ Develop, test and write-up 2 new lesson plans
☐ Complete co-leader evaluations during the season (3rd trip due 24th)
☐ Complete post-trip emails to students (3rd trip due 24th)
☐ Complete YLA staff evaluation on SurveyMonkey (due 24th)
☐ Complete end-of-season reflection
☐ Complete exit interview with supervisor (August 24 due date)
☐ Co-Present one breakout session during the Northwest Youth Leadership Summit on November 4th.
Desired Qualifications:
● Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Environmental Education, Education, Biology, Environmental Science, Recreation, Ecology, or related field
● Knowledge of basic scientific principles and ability to teach them
● Passion for the Institute’s mission to conserve and restore Northwest environments through education
● Commitment to completing post-program mentorship and follow-up with youth to further their engagement
● Experience teaching high-school aged youth, preferably while leading wilderness-based and/or service programs
● Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
● Ability to work independently and as part of a team of co-leaders and make decisions when necessary
● Ability to teach and lead canoeing, backpacking, and stewardship programs while maintaining exceptional risk management standards
● Experience leading canoe/water-based programs and/or personal watercraft experience
● Excellent verbal and communication skills
● Proven ability to meet deadlines and work effectively with team members
● Wilderness First Responder certification (required)
● Must be willing to work full days and evenings, including multiple overnight camping trips during the summer
● Ability to lift up to 75 lbs. occasionally, carry a heavy backpack, and hike over uneven terrain
● Possession of a clear criminal history/background check and current driver’s license with acceptable driving record for the past 3 years
DRAFT Timeline of Responsibilities:
Dates: / Responsibilities:Spring (Jan-June TBD) / Optional involvement with Youth Leadership Ambassadors outings
April (TBD) / Student Draft and participation in Student Interviews
April/May (TBD) / Curriculum Training Day for YLA
Late May (TBD) / Assist with Family Orientation Meetings
June 7-9 / Summer Training at ELC
June 15-16 / Summer Training at ELC (official start of Grad Tracks)
June 18-21 / Recon Training on Ross Lake
June 22-23 / Course prep with co-leaders (plus additional days to prep, as needed)
June 28 / Session 1 “Day 0” Prep Day at ELC (all staff)
June 29-July 6 / Session 1: Outdoor Leadership Course - 4 grads co-lead
July 7 / Session 1 follow-up/cleanup/check-in with supervisor
July 12-13 / Prep for Session 2 (all staff)
July 16 / Session 2 “Day 0” Prep Day at ELC
July 17-28 / Session 2: Science and Sustainability Course - 4 grads co-lead
July 29 / Session 2 follow-up/cleanup/check-in with supervisor
July 28-29 / Grad Days and Natural History Presentations (TBD)
Aug 2-3 / Session 3 Prep
Aug 7 / Session 3 “Day 0” Prep Day at ELC
Aug 8-15 / Session 3: Outdoor Leadership Course – 4 grads co-lead (no Naturalist staff to assist)
Aug 16 / Session 3 follow-up/cleanup/check-in with supervisor. Some written deliverables are due (see above).
Aug 21 / Leadership Track Presentations
Aug 22-23 / Gear cleanup/winterize at ELC; Final evaluation and exit interview
Aug 24 / YLA Debrief (Sedro or Bellingham)
Aug 24 / Additional Leadership Track deliverables are due (see list above)
Aug 25 / Last day of Leadership Track
Additional work days will be scheduled to fulfill portfolio requirements.
To apply:
Please submit a cover letter and resume indicating your top three Leadership Track choices in order of preference. These materials should be sent to Julie Stone () and Lindsey MacDonald () by January 6th.