Youth Program Manager

Program Overview: MCC’s mission is to inspire young people through hands-on conservation service to be leaders, stewards of the land, and engaged citizens who improve their communities. In the spirit of this mission, we are committed to offering high-impact conservation service experiences to Montana teens. Across National Park Service Expeditions and the Corps-to-Career programs, MCC empowers roughly 100 teens and 10-15 AmeriCorps leaders each year, fostering the next generation of environmental stewards.

Position Overview: 

The Youth Program Manager (YPM) is responsible for the successful execution and quality program delivery of statewide programs serving high school youth in a field-based overnight setting. Located in the MCC State Office based in Bozeman, this position drives the implementation of the National Park Service Expeditions and the Corps-to-Career programs.

The YPM oversees and mentors a seasonal staff team—including Youth Program Coordinators and Field Support Technicians—who handle frontline administration, gear logistics, field support, and leader supervision. The YPM’s primary focus is on supervising this team, spearheading the five-week Leadership Development Program, driving statewide youth and leader recruitment plans, ensuring high quality field programming, managing risk and incident responses, and auditing data integrity across all youth operations.

Location: Bozeman, MT

Start Date: 9/14/2026 (flexible mid – late September)

Wage: $55,120 Annually

Classification: Regular Full Time

Status: Exempt

Benefits: Health Insurance (MCC pays 90% for an individual / 70% for a family); 4 weeks annual vacation, 12 days annual sick leave, 12 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, and programmatic break (Fridays off from Thanksgiving to New Years); retirement plan match up to 5% after one year

*Interviews are slated to take place the last two weeks of August

Learn More/Apply Here: https://www.mtcorps.org/about-us/careers/staff-positions.html

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Training Delivery

• Drive the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and training of AmeriCorps Youth Program Leaders, ensuring they are fully equipped to lead high school crews safely and effectively.
• Direct the execution of the five-week Leadership Development Program, ensuring high-quality instruction, curriculum delivery, and field readiness for all leaders.
• Provide direct supervision, clear performance expectations, and ongoing professional development for Youth Program Coordinators and Field Support Technician(s).
• Instill a culture of care and professionalism amongst staff, Youth Program Leaders, and youth participants.
• Own the implementation and quality control of youth program curriculum, work-based learning concepts, and service-learning objectives.
• Lead off-season projects (Mid-September through December) as assigned by the Director, focusing on program debriefs, partner feedback evaluation, and systemic improvements.

Youth Enrollment & Recruitment 

• Oversee youth program enrollment pipelines, monitoring capacity and providing direction to the Youth Program Coordinators, who manages the day-to-day National Park Service Expedition admissions process and applicant communication.
• Collaborate with the Director of Youth Programs to establish enrollment targets and serve as the liaison between the Youth Program & Admissions team to ensure proper data management.
• Devise and drive the recruitment outreach plan, mapping out school and community partner networks, scheduling recruitment visits, and mobilizing Youth Program Coordinators to maximize geographic coverage across the state.
• Manage virtual parent/guardian orientations and pre-program communications to ensure clear expectations and preparation among selected youth.

Field Operations & Risk Management 

• Oversee field logistics operations—including vehicle fleet, gear caches, food systems, and Project Information Sheets. This includes guiding and delegating tasks to Youth Program Coordinators.
• Serve as the primary field operational lead, conducting strategic site visits to audit safety practices, evaluate crew morale, and provide targeted coaching to leaders. 
• Manage incident response, behavioral escalations, and complex crew dynamics, including participating in the shared summer emergency on-call rotation
• Participate in organizational committees as requested, such as the Risk Management Committee.

Systems Oversight & Data Accountability

• Audit and approve program data—including project metrics, hours tracking, and AmeriCorps member compliance paperwork—ensuring data integrity and meeting deadlines.
• Establish standards for external communications, supervising the Coordinator’s outreach to parents/guardians and regional project partners to maintain professional, streamlined organizational representation.

Qualifications & Skills: 

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience), including professional experience in field, wilderness, or outdoor youth development settings.
• Experience working with teens and a strong understanding of adolescent and emerging adult development. 
• Knowledge of youth program risk management practices 
• Strong interpersonal, administrative, and written/verbal communication skills across diverse stakeholders (staff, teachers, participants, and parents).
• Fluency with Google Workspace and database management
• Minimum age 21 
• Ability to travel for overnight tent-camping trips (up to a week) and work occasional evening/weekend hours.
• A valid driver’s license, ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Records check and ability to drive company vehicles.
• May be required to lift up to 40 pounds and hike up to 10 miles per day on varied terrain.
• Current Wilderness First-Aid/CPR certification required (MCC can provide training upon hire)
• Ability to pass a Criminal History Check. 

This position description outlines core responsibilities. All Montana Conservation Corps positions may be required to perform duties beyond those listed.