Youth Program Coordinator

Program Summary:

Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) works to connect young people to critical conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania. As a corps program, ACC partners with public land managers to identify, plan and complete projects that improve public access, habitat quality and economic development. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations founded to move forward the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps. 

Our programs focus on place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility, and career development. ACC also provides an opportunity for members to learn about the local environment, environmental issues and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers.

This position is an opportunity to make a difference in young people’s lives and directly impacts the communities of Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Youth programming supports communities in Harrisonburg, Shenandoah National Park, Beckley, WV, Valley Forge, PA, and more. ACC’s youth program serves approximately 50 local youth ages 15-18 a year and completes a variety of conservation-based projects across the state. Youth crews function as either day crew M-F, or a camping crew also scheduled M-F.

Position Summary:

The Program Coordinator’s primary responsibilities are to: Recruit and select high school youth members and support the recruitment for crew leaders for all youth crews; Participate in the planning and execution of crew leader and member trainings; Coordinate communication between the field and the office; Using a trauma-informed approach, support and mentor all field staff, including seasonal Field Supervisors, crew leaders and members; Ensure crews are both supported and prepared to maintain safety, program integrity, and quality projects in the field. Both office and field operations are required for this position and a flexible schedule is a must!

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

Recruiting, Interviewing and Selection of Corps Members and Leaders

• Recruit local youth, maintain, and establish relationships with schools and community partners.
• Work as part of an ACC recruiting and member development team to develop and implement a high school crew member recruiting strategy.
• Establish and maintain a database of all recruiting contacts.
• Coordinate and complete interviewing, selection, & placement of 40-60 high school corps members annually.
• Support crew leader and AmeriCorps crew leader interviewing and hiring.
• Facilitate and manage the submission of all corps member hiring, program and AmeriCorps paperwork, paying close attention to detail in an office setting.
• Assist in regional recruitment efforts as needed.

Program Oversight & Field Support

• Field staff mentorship – provide technical expertise, guidance and emotional support to crew leaders and crew members in the field. Identify positive working solutions to crew management issues for crew leaders.
• Ensure project quality on all projects through ongoing training and technical assistance.
• Model risk management procedures in the field to create a safe working environment.
• Facilitate post-hitch check-ins and hold crew leaders accountable to organization standards.
• Enforce all ACC policies and procedures.
• Respond to crew emergency situations.
• Participate in an on-call system for crews in the field.
• Plan and coordinate with other program staff for operational needs for youth crews.

Development & Training

• Collaborate with program staff to develop and implement training including technical trails, leadership, and facilitation skills.
• Collaborate with the other Conservation Legacy Youth Program Staff to implement best practices for working with youth (such as Positive Youth Development, Trauma-Informed Care), and engage in big-picture program discussions.
• Be a role model and mentor - provide encouragement, guidelines, and supervision to crew leaders throughout multi week training period and continuing into the field season.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with community and project partners.

General Administration

• Work closely with administrative staff to ensure compliance of paperwork tasks and AmeriCorps requirements for Crew Leaders and Crew Members.
• Manage multiple databases for recruitment, selection, payroll, and AmeriCorps information and onboarding.
• Manage and maintain accurate reporting of all necessary information and complete program reports including field site visits, recruiting notes, and field/yard inventories
• Collaborate and maintain communication with other staff, including attending regular staff meetings.
• Work within an established program budget; manage credit cards, receipts, and financial reporting.
• Assist Program Director with end of year reporting.

Other Duties

• Successfully engage, lead, and support an inclusive work environment for those of underrepresented populations within the organization and the communities we serve.
• Lead and/or participate in organizational-wide teams, projects and initiatives that support the work of the Strategic Plans goals.

Physical Requirements:

Periodic overnight travel and non-traditional work hours, inclusive of weekend and evening hours. To successfully perform essential functions this position is required to sit, stand, walk, and communicate. This position may be required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl on an infrequent basis. They must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer. The ability to drive an organizational vehicle is also required. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Exhibits the ability to effectively work on diverse teams or with a variety of populations, including those underrepresented at our organization and those of BIPOC communities.
• Demonstrated experience in youth development or corps field.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.
• Ability to carry out assigned work independently or with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively, manage complexity cultivate innovation, drive, and influence results of oneself and others.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office programs and applications, or similar platforms.
• Ability to keep those in remote locations accountable to expectations.
• Must be able to pass the organization’s criminal history background check requirements.
• Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record.
• Experience leading Conservation Legacy programs, members, or administrative systems.
• Desire to spend time in the company of youth and young adults; ability to instigate fun!

Preferred Qualifications:

• Leadership experience with Conservation Legacy or other youth conservation corps.
• Demonstrated managerial experience.
• Experience in recruiting and hiring.
• Relevant medical certification (WFA, WFR).
• Experience with Trauma Informed Care, Positive Youth Development, and Restorative Justice Practices.

Cover Letter must include a response to the following question: Provide some examples of your experience working effectively with diverse communities, including those specific to the BIPOC community & other underrepresented populations, in personal or professional context.