Field Coordinator – Summer Youth Corps

Position: Field Coordinator (Multiple Positions)

View complete position description. 

Program: Summer Youth Corps (SYC)

Location: Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Finland, MN; travel throughout MN and surrounding states

Salary: $3,500 per month

Schedule: Full-time, Seasonal exempt. Residential from May 20 – Aug 16, 2024

Benefits: Training, lodging, transportation & food provided for the duration of the program

About Summer Youth Corps (SYC): Youth members (ages 15-18) connect with the outdoors and grow personally and professionally through paid hands-on conservation work during this summer residential program. AmeriCorps members (ages 19-35) spend the summer living outdoors while leading and supervising the youth. SYC is dedicated to accessibility for the Deaf/hard-of-hearing community and runs American Sign Language (ASL) crews. Field Coordinators will engage in ASL lessons and games throughout training and continue to promote enthusiasm for language learning throughout the summer.

Position Summary:

Field Coordinators are integral to the Summer Youth Corps’ program goals of youth and leadership development, accomplishing environmental projects, as well as providing training, education, and leadership to ensure a positive and safe experience for participants. All Field Coordinators will work collaboratively with one another and the Program Managers to provide comprehensive support to youth crews throughout the summer season. This season there will be three Field Coordinators, each with a particular focus:

The Operations Coordinator primarily handles the distribution, collection, and maintenance of all tools and equipment used throughout the program as well as all vehicle logistics, paperwork, and upkeep. This position will also support tool training, use, and maintenance.

The Education Activities Coordinator primarily handles the distribution, collection, and teaching of educational materials, coordinating logistics for weekend and in-camp activities, collection of media (photos and video) to use for promotional purposes, and the management of SYC media profiles.

The American Sign Language Community Coordinator (ASLCC) primarily oversees the development of an equitable and inclusive environment for SYC’s ASL program participants. The ASLCC will directly support the youth and members of SYC’s ASL affinity crew, as well as lead ASL lessons and games to build community between the ASL and non-ASL youth and AmeriCorps Members. ASLCC will also be expected to mentor and provide feedback to the emergent Sign Language interpreters serving as Crew Lead/Interpreters for the ASL affinity crew. Deaf Interpreters or professional/certified Sign Language interpreters are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities Shared Amongst Field Coordinators:

Training

• Facilitate AmeriCorps trainings on topics such as Corps policies, risk management, defensive driving, tool use, Leave No Trace principles, leadership, and youth engagement/development
• Serve as a Mentor to crew leaders and provide ongoing support to ensure personal and program success

Safety & Risk Management

• Promote, follow, and teach all safety requirements of OSHA, project hosts, and the Corps
• Ensure Safe and proper use and maintenance of vehicle fleet, tools, and other Corps-owned equipment
• Monitor Crew Leader performance to ensure all safety policies are adhered to.

Community Expectations

• Foster understanding of Deaf culture through learning American Sign Language and leading inclusive activities
• Actively listen to concerns of AmeriCorps and youth members and report key issues or concerns to program managers
• Ensure crew leaders and youth meet daily/weekly expectations for education and training

Crew Supervision

• Serve as the direct supervisor for 4-6 crew leaders during the summer, conduct mid- and end-term evaluations for these leaders and provide support to other crew leaders as needed
• Indirectly supervise up to 50 youth participants
• Visit crews in the field (conduct safety site visits to work with crews, assist crews with technical projects, and assist crew leaders with any issues that arise)
• Check in weekly with assigned crew leaders and provide appropriate feedback
• Model and enforce Corps policies at all times and provide explanation and reasoning should a policy be questioned
• Assist with behavior management, including suspension and/or termination of youth members
• Report all leader and youth behavioral and medical issues to Program Manager

Administration

• Manage Corps inventory and keep all documentation of Corps equipment accurate and up to date
• Submit receipts and monthly expense report through Concur for Program Manager review
• Produce final report at end of summer

Qualifications:

• Experience working with 15- to 35-year-old individuals and ability to coach young people from diverse backgrounds to work safely and productively together on various projects as well as camp responsibilities.
• Ability to evaluate crew leader performance and conduct behavior management with leaders and youth
• Willingness to learn and adapt to changing plans, work, and weather conditions
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision to accomplish a wide variety of tasks in a safe and timely manner
• Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills
• Ability to work hard in an outdoor setting in adverse conditions with limited time off
• Ability to foster strong work habits, environmental ethics, youth leadership and team unity
• Positive attitude, interest in community service, and desire to make a difference
• Working knowledge of conservation projects from a variety of disciplines such as trail construction, invasive plant management, prairie/forest management, and knowledge of tool safety and use preferred.
• Fluency in ASL and/or ASL interpreter training preferred.

Additional Information:

Summer Youth Corps is a residential program, meaning that transportation, food, and lodging (in tents and dorm rooms) are provided for participants for the duration of the program. Field Coordinators coach and support Summer Youth Corps crews, who typically work 7-hour days and engage in 1 hour of education activities, Monday through Friday. When crews are not training at basecamp at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Field Coordinators travel to visit crews in natural areas across Minnesota and neighboring states while camping in tents and preparing their own meals. This position does require work, and often travel, on evenings and weekends.