Youth Programs Manager

Overview

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Position Summary

The Youth Programs Manager will play a lead role in the development and execution of events and programs known for high-quality environmental education and mentoring opportunities that connect young people to environmental professionals of color, highlight green career paths, and lead to conservation advocacy and action. They will be responsible for the development of innovative programs that support and align the Center’s educational programs with Audubon Washington and National strategies and initiatives. The Youth Programs Manager will work closely with the Center Director and Community Programs Manager to elevate the center’s flagship Youth Leadership Development program. They will co-create multigenerational programming, ways to transition from youth programs to lifelong engagement, and focus center programming on efforts that feed into an organizationally accepted ladder of engagement and scaffold that defines how individuals move from one stage to the next. The candidate must be a strategic thinker, educator, and skilled program builder.

Compensation:

$65,000 to $70,000/year

Essential Functions

• Research and develop programs that provide environmental opportunities for students from schools that serve Seattle’s diverse communities. Coordinate and connect with existing partners to increase access to, awareness of, interest in, and appreciation for Seward Park and Audubon.
• Serve as Seward Park Audubon lead for school and youth events and programs.
• Oversee all aspects of the Seward Park Summer camp program, including but not limited to programming, staffing and management.
• Cultivate existing collaborations and forge new programmatic partnerships with cultural organizations and community groups.
• Participate in fundraising, new initiatives, and overall growth of Audubon’s profile.
• Oversee the Center’s onsite store periodically, while ensuring a welcoming experience for guest, answering questions and triaging request as needed.
• Develop appropriate outreach and partnership strategies, and coordinate with Audubon Washington and Seward Park Audubon staff to ensure effective promotion of programs using both print and electronic media.
• Provide communications support by writing content for the E-newsletter, newsletter, social and other media.
• In collaboration with the Center Director, develop and track metrics to measure the effectiveness of youth engagement offerings.
• Assess the need for volunteers to enhance program/service, deliver, develop and implement goals and objectives for the volunteer program which reflect the mission of the Audubon Center.
• In partnership with Center Director, establish and oversee program budget that drives revenue and manages cost ratios for programs; coordinate staff to fulfill needs for program facilitator/lead and implement strategic plan and goals.
• Manage, book and cultivate school group tours and opportunities.
• Represent Seward Park Audubon Center at events, local mission-driven board opportunities and speaking engagements.
• In partnership with Center Director, build partnerships with other Community Based Organizations and city departments to support the Audubon mission.
• Hire and manage staff as appropriate.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, natural studies, or related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered
• 5+ years’ experience working with environmental education programs. Experience in event and program creation, training, and management.
• Experience with networking and engaging with diverse community groups, schools, organizations, or projects.
• Teaching certificate from state board, or equivalent preferred.
• Knowledge of current trends in nature centers, education, museum, or cultural attraction programming.
• Ability to manage budgets and measure program metrics.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to collaborate with partners, manage teams and projects ethically and in a timely manner.
• Track record of success in program development – demonstrated experience taking ideas from concept to design to execution and linking objectives and outcomes to strategic goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills and the ability to build consensus among a wide range of individuals. Comfort with presenting and engaging others in public-speaking events is also necessary.
• Proficient in overseeing complex or multiple projects through to success, including meeting financial goals, project deadlines, and coordinating the work of key staff and partners.
• Technically savvy and proficient with Microsoft Office suite applications and comfort using web-based engagement systems.
• Able to travel locally and be comfortable working occasional evenings and weekends as job responsibilities demand.
• Direct experience in South Seattle preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Somali, Amharic, or Tigrinya is preferred.

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

Accessibility Statement

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

COVID Policy

All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.