Mountain School Program Manager

Summary of Position

Based out of the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center (ELC) on Diablo Lake in the heart of North Cascades National Park, the Mountain School Manager provides leadership and program oversight for the Mountain School program. Key responsibilities include developing and managing the program budget; hiring a high-functioning program instruction team; evaluating and updating the program curriculum; supervising key staff responsible for delivering the program; and collaborating closely with other Institute departments and programs. A key member of the Institute’s Program Team, this position works closely with program coordinators, staff instructors, and other managers to ensure high quality instruction, provide logistical support, and implement effective risk management.

Qualifications

Required:

• At least two years of experience:
  • delivering environmental or place-based education
  • supervising adults
  • working with school-aged children
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • coach staff and foster a positive, inclusive workplace environment
  • prioritize tasks with exemplary time management and problem-solving skills
• Willingness to accommodate a varied schedule including evenings, nights, and weekends
• Strong writing and presentation skills
• Experience managing a budget
• Current Wilderness First Responder certification or higher
• Other relevant experience will be considered

Final offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check that may include employment history, national criminal background check, national sex offender registry search, and a driving history check.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Education, Education, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or related field
• Experience working at residential learning centers, camps, schools, or similar facilities
• Experience teaching interdisciplinary natural and cultural history
• Experience working with partnerships, particularly agencies and/or higher education
• Experience leading and teaching in place-based, field and backcountry settings
• Experience delivering environmental education with urban or tribal communities or in international settings
• Experience working or living in communities with historically excluded populations
• Fluency in multiple languages, Spanish preference

Responsibilities

Program Development, Management, and Oversight: 

• Provides leadership, design, and management of the Mountain School program and its curriculum, including integration of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Next Generation Science Standards; and other key principles.
• Develops and manages the annual program budget; builds the program calendar, and manages contracting and billing of school partners.
• Plans and leads the hiring of program instructors; seeks to hire a workforce that reflects the diversity of our target audience.

Leadership and Supervision:

• Directly supervises the Program Coordinators for Mountain School and Family Getaways (2); indirectly supervises the Program Instructor team (8-10).
• Works collaboratively with the Program Director, Operations Director, and other program managers to provide leadership to the ELC community.
• Works collaboratively with development staff, marketing staff, and Institute leadership to meet goals for Mountain School and the Institute as a whole.

Learning Center Operations: 

• Works with the Operations Director to implement and uphold Risk Management and Institute policies and procedures.

Instruction: 

• Leads Mountain School instructor training, and supports other instructor training throughout the year.
• Provides instructional support to programs when needed.

Compensation

This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position. The pay rate is $24.00 to $27.25 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience. We offer a competitive compensation package; benefits include paid time-off, medical/dental insurance, long and short-term disability insurance, tax-deferred annuity and contribution retirement plan, and a yearly stipend to participate in Institute programs.

Housing

Subsidized housing available. Private rooms in shared houses are typically available. In some cases, roommates in shared rooms may be required.

Given the remote location, personal transportation is required.

Smoking is not allowed in housing, during programs, or on the Institute’s campus. Pets are not allowed on the Institute’s campus.

Start Date

January 6, 2025; or as soon as possible after this date

Equal Opportunity Employer

Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at North Cascades Institute. The Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, citizenship or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies or programs.

About North Cascades Institute

North Cascades Institute’s mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature. Since 1986, we have helped connect people, nature and community through science, art, literature and the hands-on study of natural and cultural history. Our goal is to help people of all ages and backgrounds experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests, people and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest – so all will care for and protect this special place.

North Cascades Institute is a respected leader among U.S. environmental education organizations, and we believe that sustainable communities are built on healthy environments, vibrant economies and social equity. The Institute is in sound financial health with a $4 million budget and strong reserves, and 15 four-star ratings with Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.