Programs Assistant

Title: Programs Assistant 

Duration: March – September 2026 

Workdays: Part-time, 20 - 25 hours/week 

Compensation: $20-22/hour depending on experience 

This is a part-time temporary position. Weekend, early morning and evening work will be required. Work requires some physical exertion such as walking, standing, and lifting. This is an in-person position with work in office, outside on the trail, and at community events. 

​​​High Line Canal Conservancy 

An extraordinary feat of engineering now 140 years old, the 71-mile-long High Line Canal is outliving its historic function as an irrigation utility and has taken on new life as a recreational resource, wildlife corridor, and green stormwater infrastructure. 

The Conservancy is a nonprofit organization with the mission to preserve, protect and enhance the High Line Canal in partnership with the public. We are committed to enacting this mission with projects and programs that improve quality of life and the environment. We lead volunteer stewardship, community science, recreational, and educational programs that enhance wildlife habitat, connect people with nature, and improve trail user experience. Our programs had over 3,500 participants in 2025. 

The Conservancy’s trail stewardship programs are completed by members of the Canal Conservation Corps (CCC). This dedicated coalition of volunteers measurably improves the Canal’s ecosystem and the region’s climate resilience by enhancing our ability to care for the Canal through stewardship programs such as trash cleanups, weeds and brush removals, and tree and prairie plantings. The Conservancy also hosts recreational, educational, and community science programs along the Canal such as educational walks, school field trips, and birding excursions that engage local community members to connect with the nature of the Canal. 

Position Summary 

This position provides the opportunity to work with the Conservancy staff, partners, volunteers, and community members to support our on-the-ground programs and events. The Programs Assistant will primarily assist with executing on-the-ground trail stewardship programs throughout the spring, summer, and fall. The Assistant will also coordinate and attend tabling opportunities at community events with volunteer support to provide outreach for the Conservancy. This position involves both outdoor work as well as administrative work in the office in Centennial. The Assistant will report to the Programs Coordinator and work closely with the Programs Manager. The following lists potential tasks required of the position: 

• Stewardship Programs
  • Engage communities along all 71-miles in improving the health and biodiversity of their surrounding environment through trash/weed/brush removal and planting projects.
  • ​​Help​ lead​ ​Canal Conservation Corps Leaders and volunteers of all ages and abilities to complete trail stewardship projects.
  • Support set-up and break-down processes before and after events including collecting and organizing supplies, tools, and paperwork.
  • Assist in maintaining and organizing program supplies.
  • Support the Independent Cleanup program by coordinating with community groups to schedule, get supplies for, and execute independent trash cleanups.
  • Perform regular monitoring of trail conditions before volunteer stewardship events.
  • Engage with community members through environmental education.
  • Maintain stewardship supplies including golf cart maintenance, recycling, and laundry. 

• Community Outreach Events
  • Table at community events representing the Conservancy. Serve as a first point of contact for potential volunteers and friends of the Canal that stop by the table.
  • Coordinate tabling shifts at community events including scheduling volunteer support.
  • Transport tabling supplies to events and guide setup.
  • Distribute flyers and install signs as needed to promote events or Canal happenings
  • Support community and fundraising events such as Summer Scamper or Dine for the High Line. 

• Volunteer Coordination Support
  • Support volunteer training.
  • Track post-event metrics.
  • Record event registration, participation, and key volunteer information (contact info, volunteer shifts, hours, etc.) in Volunteer Hub. 

Qualifications 

• A High school diploma with relevant work experience or a bachelor’s degree with a focus in environmental education, conservation, natural resources, community development, diversity and inclusion, and/or communications strongly desired.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the long-term mission and value of the Conservancy.
• A passion for connecting people in diverse communities to nature and to each other.
• Adaptability: Demonstrates a willingness to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively with colleagues in a small-team environment, to anticipate and solve problems. Works efficiently to meet deadlines and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions through spring, summer and fall.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and climb in and out of a sloped canal ditch with varying depths.
• Willingness and enthusiasm to work around mud, bugs, ice, and dense vegetation.
• Strong attention to safety.
• Self-motivated and highly organized with tremendous attention to detail and an ability to multi-task.
• Excellent communication and writing skills, including public speaking to event attendees and volunteers.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Bilingual English and Spanish speaker preferred.
• Available to work during evenings and weekends as needed.
• Access to a vehicle and clean driving record (required). 

Application Instructions 

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by sending a resume and cover letter addressing the applicant’s interest in and qualifications for the position. Please send both documents as one PDF attachment in an email to employment@highlinecanal.org. No phone calls, please. 

Application Deadline: Open until filled 

The Conservancy is dedicated to the principles of equal opportunity for all employees, applicants, volunteers, program and event participants, trail users and visitors, partners, and other organizational stakeholders. We prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment based on age, race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, native language, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, gender, veteran status, political service, and affiliation or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. This prohibition includes unlawful harassment based on any of these protected classes.  

Unlawful harassment includes verbal or physical conduct which has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. This policy applies to all employees, including managers, supervisors, co-workers, and non-employees such as customers, clients, vendors, consultants, etc.  

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification. At the Conservancy we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you are interested in this role but your experience does not check all of the boxes, we encourage you to go ahead and apply. You may be the right candidate for this or another role in our organization.