Call for Applications: Youth Program Facilitator - Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary

Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary is a nonprofit conservation education center providing environmental stewardship programs for families since 1987. Sage Mountain is now in its fourth year of hosting Afterschool in Nature, serving ages 8-12, running Monday through Friday in the afternoons throughout the academic school year.

Hosted at our 600-acre nature reserve located in Orange, Vermont, our afterschool curriculum follows the rhythm of our local wildlife and flora during this time of year. Youth will explore this by splashing in mountain streams, fishing and kayaking in our ponds, hiking and exploring the forests and garden meadows, snowshoeing and sledding in our snowy hills, 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.

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 is licensed by the Vermont Department of Children and Families. Our outdoor educators support youth with decades of nature education experience and trauma-informed training. We are a small, dedicated team that takes this work seriously and finds deep meaning in it.

Sage Mountain is seeking qualified candidates for application to the position of Youth Program Facilitator.

Job Summary

The Youth Program Facilitator position is a core leadership role, working closely with the Executive Director, the Director of Youth Education, and other program and organizational staff. In this role, you will be one of the guiding voices for Sage Mountainʼs afterschool education program. This role will engage with youth directly and will be responsible for advising and adhering to all safety protocols while providing mentorship and support to our students and program overall. Your work will involve assisting in the implementation of our nature-based curriculum, literacy in social-emotional learning objectives, direct supervision and engagement with youth, and maintenance of safety, supplies, and facilities. This position will be fully in-person with access to Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary’s office, kitchen, learning facilities, 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 Director of Youth Education
Collaborate with all staff to maintain high-quality nature mentoring programs
Engage ongoing professional development opportunities including specialized care, universal design learning, relationship to land, equity and inclusion, trauma informed practices, accessibility, personal growth and development and more
Activity and curriculum co-planning and implementation, supported by Director of Youth Education

Program Administration

Implement DCF and Sage Mountain safety and health 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
Responsible for preparing and cleaning facilities before and after programming
As needed, research and advise on materials and equipment needed in a timely manner

Outreach

Participate in outreach for programs including program recruitment efforts
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 families, 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, youth mentorship, or related areas
An enthusiastic team member whose values align with Sage Mountain’s mission and who consistently centers the wellbeing of youth and the program
Experience with facilitation, supporting youth and fellow staff, and shared leadership structures
Outstanding interpersonal communications skills and collaboration abilities
A willingness to learn, commit to, and practice the principles of justice, accessibility, and inclusiveness as it pertains to the populations that Sage Mountain serves
A commitment to integrating empathy, equity, accessibility, and trauma-informed practices into daily work
Openness to self-reflection and feedback
Ethical commitment to maintaining professionalism and integrity in relationship to youth, families, colleagues, and organization
Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and be self-motivated and organized
Exhibit care, attention to detail, and efficiency in routine tasks to maintain the cleanliness and safety of the facility
Creativity, innovation, sense of humor, flexibility and team spirit
Experience and comfort communicating with diverse groups of people, including supporters, coworkers, parents, community members and collaborators
Comfort using a range of technological applications (Zoom, Google Suite, Airtable) and willingness to learn and execute administrative tasks
Physical ability to prepare and maintain outdoor facilities and implement outdoor activities in all seasons
Program implementation skills and teaching experience, and a commitment to ongoing learning
Background check and fingerprinting will be required
Regular access to reliable transportation that can navigate unpaved roads in all Vermont seasons, and a valid driverʼs license

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with decolonization and trauma-informed frameworks, and a commitment to deepening that understanding
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 program delivery and special events
Willing to be regularly exposed to campfire, wood smoke, water, and outdoor risks, which may include exposure to extreme temperatures, weather, ticks and other hazards

Hours and Details

Initial position period will begin upon hire with a training period and follows the public school calendar. The position requires availability for approximately 25 hours per week during the school year, and 40 hours per week for six weeks of Summer Camp (June 22 – August 1). The Youth Program Facilitator must be generally available Monday through Friday from 2:00 pm until 6:30 pm, plus 2.5 hours of team meeting time, with additional availability scheduled in advance for early release and inservice days. Starting hourly rate of pay is $20, adjusted based upon experience. Paid professional development and training is offered.

Application Process

To apply, please complete the application below.

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. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a comprehensive background check and fingerprinting as required by Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations.