Call for Applications: Afterschool Facilitator

Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary is a nonprofit conservation education center providing environmental stewardship programs for families since 1987. The Sage Mountain Afterschool in Nature program will launch its pilot during the 2022-2023 school year, serving youth in grades 4 through 8, Monday through Friday afterschool, hosted at our 600-acre nature reserve located in Orange, Vermont.

Our Afterschool in Nature curriculum intimately follows the cycle of the seasons, wildlife, and local flora. Youth will explore this ancient rhythm by splashing in mountain streams, helping to grow delicious and healthy foods in the garden meadow, and experiencing quality time outdoors through a variety of different activities. In the process, they will learn not only about the natural communities that surround them, but also about themselves, their peers, and the world at large.

Our activities are guided by youth-led learning and nature immersion while integrating STEM objectives, creative arts, and social-emotional learning. Our program provides students with a foundation of physical and mental wellness through land-based, hands-on, outdoor learning and play. Our outdoor educators support youth with decades of nature education experience and trauma-informed training.

Afterschool in Nature offers a sliding scale tuition and scholarships to make this program accessible for all families. We facilitate transportation from local schools in Orange and Washington Counties for those in need. Our program follows state health and safety guidance.

Sage Mountain is seeking qualified candidates for application to the open position of Afterschool Facilitator (part time).

Job Summary

The Afterschool Facilitator position is a shared-leadership role, working closely with the Executive Director, the Program Coordinator, the Afterschool Education Director, and all other staff.

In this role, you will be one of the guiding voices for Sage Mountainʼs transformative after-school and summer camp education programs. This role will engage with youth directly and will be responsible for advising and adhering to all safety protocols while providing mentorship and support for Sage Mountainʼs year-round nature education programs. Your work will involve implementation of our nature-based curriculum, literacy in social-emotional learning objectives, direct supervision and engagement with youth, and training to support these responsibilities.

Location

Position will be fully in-person with access to Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary’s office, kitchen and trails.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities may change based on adaptations and needs of the program.

Education Leadership

Oversee and mentor enrolled youth under the guidance of Education Director
Maintain high-quality nature mentoring programs.
Collaborate with all staff regarding ongoing professional development opportunities including relationship to land, equity, and inclusion, trauma informed practices, accessibility, personal growth and development and more.
Youth transportation to and from pick up sites

Program Administration

Implement Sage Mountain’s Covid-19 guidelines for all programming.
Collaborate and communicate with staff to facilitate program registration.
Respond to all communication (phone, text, email, etc) in a timely and thorough manner.
As needed, research and advise on materials and equipment needed in a timely manner.
Assist in preparing and cleaning facilities before and after programming

Outreach

Participate in outreach for programs including program recruitment efforts, including recruitment of campers, students and staff, and staff-in-training.
Collaborate with Sage Mountain staff on clear and consistent language when representing the program in community engagement activities.
Maintain excellent communication with Sage Mountain’s constituents including schools, businesses, and the community.

Required Qualifications

A passion for nature, community, teaching and education.
Two years of demonstrated experience in the field of nature education, community building, or other related fields.
An enthusiastic team member whose values align with Sage Mountain’s vision and prioritize according to the best interest for everyone and the program overall.
Experience with facilitation, supporting youth and fellow staff, and shared leadership structures.
Outstanding interpersonal communications skills and partnership building abilities.
A willingness to learn, commit to, and practice the principles of decolonization, racial justice, accessibility, and inclusiveness as it pertains to the largely marginalized economic, BIPOC, and LGBTQ community student populations that Sage Mountain will serve.
The ability to be empathic and a willingness to integrate these above practices into your work at Sage Mountain
Openness to self-reflection and feedback.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and be self-motivated and organized
Creativity, innovation, sense of humor, flexibility and team spirit.
Comfort using a range of technological applications (Zoom, Google Suite, social media platforms).
Experience and comfort communicating with diverse groups of people, including supporters, coworkers, parents, community members and collaborators.
Program implementation skills
Some teaching experience, as well as ability to learn further on and off job
Background check will be required
Regular access to reliable transportation, and valid driverʼs license

Preferred Qualifications

Some understanding of and further willingness to learn via training in decolonization, equity, trauma-informed, and social justice approaches to learning.
Previous association with nature-based and/or youth-based education programs and/or organizations
Bachelor’s Degree OR demonstrated equivalent life experience in related field (education, nature- or wilderness-based learning or therapy, etc.)

Physical Requirements

Willingness and ability to spend significant time outdoors in all weather conditions, leading and supporting field staff, interacting with youth and families
Willingness and ability to spend significant time in an office setting to collaborate with leadership team and carry out administrative job responsibilities
Occasional off-site travel as needed for outreach efforts, program delivery and special events
Willing to be regularly exposed to fire, smoke, water, and outdoor risks, which may include exposure to extreme temperatures, weather, ticks and other hazards

Compensation Information

Initial position period will begin upon hiring and end June 16, 2023, following the public school calendar. The position will be renewed pending available funding and youth involvement. The position requires availability on Mondays and Fridays from 2 pm until 6 pm, with a starting hourly rate of pay based upon experience. Additional on-site or off-site availability outside of these hours may be requested periodically and scheduled in advance.

Application Process

To apply, please send a resume, cover letter and contact information for three references to: afterschool@sagemountain.com.

Sage Mountain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants, and will not discriminate against any potential employee on the basis of age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, gender, veteran status, military status, political service, affiliation or disability.