Youth Development Supervisor

The Oregon Zoo is seeking a Youth Development Supervisor, to oversee the vision and development of programs for middle- and high-school aged youth in the Portland Metro area. The Youth Development Supervisor will guide the overall vision and coordination of teen-focused programming at Oregon Zoo, creating a new model for how zoos can engage with youth in the areas of leadership development, critical thinking and action for conservation, career development, and wildlife advocacy. This role will oversee the staff and youth in our Zoo Apprenticeship Program (ZAP), a grant-funded program employing young people to offer career opportunities and conservation programming to systemically marginalized communities in our region, and will have the opportunity to create a new teen program using a co-design process with community members and other collaborators. 

As the Youth Development Supervisor, you will:

• Guide the overall vision and coordination of teen-focused programming at Oregon Zoo; design a unified framework for the zoo’s youth engagement strategy focused on developing wildlife-saving identities
• Design, co-create, and implement a new teen program focused on innovative guest engagement in conservation action; guide the iterative process of program development
• Recruit, train, and supervise teen program participants and support staff
• Manage the ZAP program staff; assist with ZAP program operations and scheduling
• Work with zoo staff to facilitate youth participation in department and zoo initiatives including school partnerships, on-grounds interpretation, and program evaluation; act as an advocate for teen engagement across the zoo, playing a key role in facilitating collaboration between youth and other program areas and departments
• Organize opportunities for youth to connect with nature through local adventure trips, international travel to field partners, and visits to natural areas of Portland
• Use an equity-based approach to program development and delivery, in line with Oregon Zoo’s Racial Equity Framework

Attributes for success:

• Knowledge and understanding of best practices in youth development and community engagement
• Skills in program planning, development, management, and evaluation
• Passion for working with youth from diverse backgrounds and cultures in service of wildlife conservation; ability to relate to teens with warmth and enthusiasm
• Ability to connect with people as a liaison in service for youth; ability to train/coach adults on working with youth
• Ability to organize work, manage time, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet deadlines
• Knowledge of supervision best practices and principles; aptitude for coaching staff and/or volunteers and providing feedback
• Understanding of conservation actions, climate change principles, and wildlife advocacy; understanding of how these connect to middle and high school aged youth

Minimum qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in assigned program area or a related field and three years of progressively responsible experience in the field; OR
• Associate degree or equivalent related to area of assignment and five years of progressively responsible experience; OR
• Any combination of experience, education and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the essential job duties.
• Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination is considered a minimum qualification requirement for Metro job applicants. This proof will be requested during the hiring process.

Like to have qualifications:
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position. 

• Prior experience managing, leading, or otherwise directing the work of staff or volunteers 
• Bilingual (Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Somali, or ASL especially)
• Teen/youth advocacy and development experience; especially in the Portland Metro area
• Wilderness First Aid certification or other travel/overnight camp experience 

If this sounds like you or you would like to learn more visit our website to see a full job announcement and submit your application.  (www.oregonmetro.gov/jobs or direct link to the posting https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oregonmetro/jobs/3892087/youth-development-supervisor?page=2&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs)