Youth Programs Coordinator

Organization Description:   

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service overseeing the Golden Gate National Recreation Area — 84,000 acres of national parkland spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, including Muir Woods, Ocean Beach, Crissy Field, and Alcatraz Island. The Parks Conservancy is a membership organization created to preserve the Golden Gate National Parks, enhance the experiences of park visitors, and build a community dedicated to conserving the parks for the future.      

With our local and federal partners, the Parks Conservancy is committed to the work of supporting Bay Area national parks as places where we can further racial and social justice for our community and climate resilience for these protected lands.   

Department Description:   

Conservancy Youth Programs prioritize individuals, groups, and communities that national parks and conservation organizations have failed to previously engage. Our programs encourage new generations to become bold leaders for thriving parks, healthy communities, and a more environmentally just society. Our programs erase boundaries between communities and the environment and are community driven and inspired. Programs focus on learning about social and environmental issues and building leadership skills that can contribute to positive change. Programs engage young people across the Golden Gate National Parks and beyond in parks, schools, communities, and virtual spaces. Youth Programs span multiple counties, through a variety of programs and partnerships. Youth Programs include programs through the Crissy Field Center, OneTam Collaborative, Parks Nurseries, and in Conservation/Stewardship, from Marin to San Mateo. The main headquarters is located at the Crissy Field Center at the Youth Campus in the Presidio, San Francisco.  

Position Overview:  

The term for the position is January 2023 (exact start date TBD) to August 11th, 2023.  

The Youth Programs Coordinator is responsible for supporting the Conservancy’s Youth Programs Managers in the development and delivery of programs that engage local youth in youth leadership and education programs. The Youth Programs Coordinator plans and facilitates programs in activities such as leadership development, science and environmental justice education, service learning, outdoor experiences, and the creation of art and digital media. In addition to program development, the Youth Programs Coordinator assists in youth participant outreach, building and maintaining partnerships, program evaluation, management of teaching spaces, logistics, mentorship of youth participants, and supervision of seasonal educators. Programs take place at the Crissy Field Center, in parks, at schools, and in communities. 

During the school year (September-May), the Youth Programs Coordinator will support multiple programs, with a focus on Youth Leadership programs: 

Youth Leadership Programs: 

• Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders (I-YEL) 

School and Group Partnerships: 

• High School Environmental Science and Service-Learning programs 

• Middle School Park-Based Programming 

• Migratory Story Elementary School Field Trip Program 

• Nurseries Education Programs 

• Canal Alliance 

During the summer (June-August), the Youth Programs Coordinator will primarily support one of the following programs: 

• Urban Trailblazers (UTB) 

• Linking Individuals to their Natural Communities (LINC) 

• Backyard Bound Youth Summit 

During the school year, the Youth Programs Coordinator typically works a Tuesday– Saturday schedule. Workdays are 8 hours long and typically fall between 8:30am and 8:00 pm. During the summer, the Youth Programs Coordinator typically works a Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm schedule. There is the possibility to have daily schedules shifted to accommodate afterschool programming, to work with community groups, and to attend trainings. The Youth Programs Coordinator is expected to coordinate and facilitate 3 or more overnight camping trips each year. Schedules, including any irregular hours, overtime hours, and overnight trips, will be planned with supervisor support and approval. 

The Youth Programs Coordinator works primarily in-person and is based at the Crissy Field Center in the Presidio. Any work from home or other remote work will be limited, will be planned with other department staff, and will require supervisor approval. 

For 2023, the Youth Programs Department is specifically looking for candidates who with one or more of the following competencies: 

• Spanish Language Ability. Ability to facilitate programming, connect with youth, and communicate with youth’s families in Spanish. 

• Knowledge of Bay Area Communities, especially in Marin County. Experience and skills to build connections with Marin County youth and incorporate Marin County locations into programming. 

• Climate Justice Education. Ability to teach youth about climate change and its impact on communities and build youth participant capacity to address climate justice issues. 

Reports To: 

The Youth Programs Coordinator reports to one of the Youth Programs Managers. 

Key Responsibilities: 

This is an education and youth development position that includes the instruction and mentorship of youth and program support to the multiple youth-serving programs. 

Program Development and Delivery: 

• Leads youth participants in outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, camping, team-building activities, service learning, and environmental education lessons. 

• Develops and delivers project-based learning curriculum for youth. 

• Facilitates in-classroom activities and presentations.  

• Develops lesson plans. 

• Delivers programs in English and other languages spoken by youth participants. 

• Plans and facilitates overnight camping trips with youth.  

• Supports youth in art and digital media production.  

• Creates a physically and emotionally safe space for youth to engage in the outdoors  

• Prepares materials for activities. Cleans up after activities. 

• Drives 15-passenger van and be responsible for all passenger safety and supervision during transport. 

Youth Mentorship and Supervision  

• Supports youth in developing short-term and long-term goals. 

• Models healthy and supportive behavior for youth participants. 

• Develops leadership and professional career skills for youth participants.  

• Supports supervision of youth work plans. 

• Provides positive and constructive feedback to youth. 

Collaboration and Coordination 

• Coordinates planning, logistics, and scheduling with program partners. 

• Conducts youth participant outreach. 

• Supports with program evaluation and reporting. 

• Edits and catalogs photos of youth programs for use in outreach and fundraising. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Commitment to education, youth development, and social justice. 

• Knowledge of environmental justice issues. Ability to make connections between environmental and social issues. Commitment to supporting youth-led advocacy. 

• Ability to connect with diverse groups of youth, especially middle school and high school aged youth. Interest and ability to make curriculum relevant to youth audiences. Understanding of issues related to the urban environment, as well as current local, regional, and global events that may impact youth’s home communities. 

• Ability to work with communities historically excluded from environmental experiences and careers in the Bay Area, including low income BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities.  

• Teamwork: Ability to contribute to group goals and the organizational mission. Ability to relate effectively to others when encountering difficult situations. Can collaboratively develop curriculum and brainstorm lesson plans. Ability to co-lead programs. Ability to balance team and individual responsibilities.  

• Good Judgment: Can exhibit sound and accurate judgment. Able to analyze calculated risks while prioritizing the safety of both staff and campers. Includes appropriate staff and/or community members in the decision-making process. 

• Flexibility: Can balance team and individual responsibilities. Can work in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments. Can adapt to a flexible work schedule that does include some evening, weekend, and overnight work. Able to change or revise lessons on the spot based on group needs.  

• Ability to stay positive, energetic, and creative during program planning and implementation. 

• Ability to take initiative and recognize what tasks need to be done. 

• Ability to receive direction and feedback in a constructive manner. 

• Ability to stay organized and pay attention to detail. 

• Leadership: exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well.  

Education and/or Experience: 

• High School Diploma or equivalent. 

• Two or more school years working with middle or high school students. 

• Experience working with diverse groups of youth. This includes multiple dimensions of diversity such as race/ethnicity, income, language, physical ability, sexuality, gender identity, and neurodiversity.  

• Experience leading experiential education and service-learning programs for youth in the outdoors, including overnight camping or backpacking trips. 

• Experience, strong interest, or education in environmental education, child development, recreation, or other related fields. 

• Experience with media, audio/visual technology, and video editing/production. 

• Knowledge of environmental and social issues, especially those issues affecting underserved Bay Area youth. 

• Multilingual preferred: Able to speak language(s) other than English that are spoken by Bay Area communities. Spanish and Cantonese preferred. 

• Capacity to work outdoors in all kinds of weather and site conditions. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.  

• Because this position works closely with youth, we require Live Scan fingerprint clearance in addition to the standard pre-employment background check. 

• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Drive. 

Licenses 

• Valid Driver’s License with 2 years of driving experience and ability to operate a 15-passenger vehicle. Employees must have a clean driving record and can obtain the appropriate California Driver’s License with passenger endorsement. Training and testing will be incorporated into work time. Fees for license and required medical examination will be reimbursed.  

• CPR and First Aid certification- will assist upon hire. 

Health and Safety: 

It is the policy of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy to create and maintain a safe and healthful workplace free from recognized hazards that may cause harm to employees, consistent with and in compliance with applicable state and federal laws. Employees will play an active role in creating a safe and healthy workplace and will comply with all applicable health and safety rules. The Conservancy is committed to the goal of implementing an effective health and safety program and an injury prevention program. 

Based on the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parks Conservancy requires all employees, interns, and independent contractors to be vaccinated and to provide proof of such vaccination as a condition of employment or performing contract work. 

Physical Requirements and Work Environment: 

• Schedule (School Year): Typically Tuesday– Saturday, 8-hour workdays between the hours of 8:30am and 8pm, with regular after school programming. Schedule (Summer): Typically Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, with some weekend and evening work. Some Sundays. 3 or more overnight programs a year. 

• Work is primarily in-person and is based at the Crissy Field Center in the Presidio. Any remote work is planned with other department staff and requires supervisor approval.  

• Work is performed in multiple settings, including at a desk in an office, in front of a computer, in indoor teaching spaces such as classrooms, and in outdoor settings such as parks.  

• Ability to hike 5 miles on uneven terrain.  

• Work is often performed standing or walking with a backpack.  

• Frequently lifts, carries, and positions objects weighing up to 25 pounds. 

• Occasionally sits at a computer station for up to 3-4 hours. 

• Regularly drives youth and staff in work vehicles. 

• Work will be performed in person with safety precautions. If in-person work is deemed unsafe by the Conservancy’s Director of Safety for COVID or any other reason, work will be performed virtually.  

Pay Rate and Benefits: 

This is a benefitted, Project I position working an average of 40 hours per week, from January to August. Overtime is paid for any hours exceeding 8 hours in one day. The hourly wage is negotiable, and the pay range is $24.84 - 27.00/hour, depending on qualifications and experience. Benefits include health, dental and vision insurance. 

To Apply: 

Please submit a thoughtful application, cover letter, and resume here: https://www.parksconservancy.org/careers. 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Application review will begin by January 3rd, 2023. Applications received after that date may not be considered. 

Start date is January 2023 (exact date flexible). End Date is August 11th, 2023. 

Disclaimer: 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. 

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Recruitment, placement, and promotions are conducted without regard to an individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical handicap, veteran status or sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by Federal, State, and local laws & ordinances. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.