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 fifth year of hosting Afterschool in Nature, serving grades 3-8, running Monday through Friday in the afternoons throughout the academic school year.

Hosted at our 600-acre nature reserve in Orange, Vermont, our afterschool curriculum follows the rhythm of local wildlife and flora. Youth will explore this by splashing in mountain streams, fishing and kayaking in our ponds, hiking and exploring forests and garden meadows, snowshoeing and sledding in our snowy hills, and experiencing quality time outdoors through a variety of 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 sliding scale tuition and scholarships to make this program accessible for all families, and 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. We intentionally serve youth who benefit most from nature-based learning, including those with higher support needs, behavioral and emotional challenges, and limited prior access to outdoor programming. Our program team brings hands-on nature education experience and trauma-informed training to this work, supported by Sage Mountain’s decades of conservation and environmental stewardship. We are a small, dedicated team that takes this work seriously and finds deep meaning in it – and we are looking for staff who do too.

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 the implementation of 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. This role carries particular responsibility for curriculum development and activity planning, bringing a nature education background that enriches and deepens the program’s educational offerings.

Responsibilities

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

Education Leadership

Lead activity and curriculum planning and implementation in partnership with the Director of Youth Education, including designing seasonal program arcs, developing activity plans, and building a replicable library of activity resources
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

Program Administration

Implement DCF and Sage Mountain safety and health guidelines for all programming, including facility preparation and cleaning
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

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

Passion for nature, youth, and outdoor education
Two or more years of experience in nature education, outdoor programming, or a closely related field
Demonstrated ability to plan, document, and implement curriculum, including written activity plans, learning objectives, and seasonal program sequencing
Comfort working with higher-needs youth, including those with behavioral, emotional, or developmental support needs
Emotional self-regulation and the capacity to hold a grounded, steady presence in the field
Familiarity with risk management in outdoor education settings and comfort supervising youth near water and in varied terrain
Commitment to trauma-informed, equity-centered, and accessible practices
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with youth, families, colleagues, and community partners
Ability to work independently, follow through on commitments, and communicate proactively when challenges arise
Openness to self-reflection, feedback, and ongoing professional development
Attention to detail and care in maintaining safe, clean, and organized program spaces
Comfort with basic technology including Google Suite and Airtable
Valid Vermont driver’s license and reliable transportation suitable for unpaved roads in all seasons
Must pass comprehensive background check and fingerprinting per Vermont DCF requirements

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree, Vermont Afterschool Foundations Certificate, or equivalent life experience in education, outdoor, or wilderness-based fields
Experience developing written curriculum or activity guides for nature-based programs
Experience supporting youth with IEPs, behavioral support plans, or trauma histories
Familiarity with decolonization frameworks and Indigenous relationships to land

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
Willingness and comfort supervising youth at and near water, including ponds, streams, and kayaking activities, in accordance with our DCF-approved aquatic safety plan
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 25-30 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 1:00 pm until 6:00 pm, plus additional pre-scheduled hours of team meeting time, with additional availability scheduled in advance for early release days. Starting hourly rate of pay is $24, with compensation commensurate with experience. Paid professional development and training is offered. We are hoping to welcome the right candidate to begin with an orientation and training period the week of August 24, ahead of program implementation beginning August 31

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.