Job Description:

Summary

North Cascades Institute is seeking a dynamic, energetic leader to be its new Program Director. Candidates must have a strong connection to, and passion for, the Institute’s mission “to inspire environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature.” This is a unique opportunity to join North Cascades Institute at a time of growth and transition.

The Program Director is responsible for overseeing education programs at the North Cascades Institute. We expect the Program Director to build upon our strong reputation as a leading place-based educational institution, to develop a world-class organization with broad regional and national reach. The Program Director is a core member of the Institutes Leadership Team, engaged in strategic planning, annual operational goals and budget objectives.

Working from the Institute’s field campus on Diablo Lake in the heart of North Cascades National Park, this position oversees core education programs serving people of all ages throughout the year. Supervised by the Learning Center Director, this position works closely with Institute staff, partners and contractors to support a wide array of educational programs. The Institute strives to further our identity as an institution that welcomes and embraces diversity in community and curriculum, works to redress historical inequities, and seeks a diverse pool of candidates.

Since 1986 the Institute has helped connect people, nature and community through science, art, literature and the hands-on study of natural and cultural history. Our goal is to help people of all ages and backgrounds experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests, people and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest – so all will care for and protect this special place. The Institute is committed to innovation and excellence in environmental learning and leadership in the nonprofit community. We believe that sustainable communities are built on healthy environments, vibrant economies and social equity.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Supervision

  • Works collaboratively with Learning Center Director to provide leadership of the Learning Center community; nurture and coach staff to reach their full potential
  • Maximize use of Institute program staff and facilities to achieve goals related to program audience, quality, content, enrollment and finances
  • Serves as member of the Institute’s Leadership Team; sustains programmatic, administrative and fundraising links to other teams and staff
  • Reports on programming to Learning Center Director, Executive Director, Board of Directors and staff. Prepares materials to keep board and staff informed and engaged in the evaluation and evolution of Institute programs
  • Welcomes and hosts participants and guests at the Center
  • Plays an active role in risk management, strategic planning, inter-office communications, special initiatives, and other duties as assigned by the Learning Center Director or Executive Director
  • Fills regular overnight supervision shifts at the Environmental Learning Center

Education Programs

  • Provides overarching vision of Institute programs; balances needs and requests of individual programs to support the Institute’s mission; ensures high quality educational programming while optimizing limited resources
  • Oversees design, implementation and evaluation of high quality education programs at the Institute and in the field in collaboration with the Leadership Team. Coaches and supervises three or four program leads who manage professional staff providing administrative, logistical and instructional oversight and support for multiple program suites:
  • School Overnight Programs (Mountain School)
  • Adult and Family Programs (Base Camp, Family Getaways, Campus based and Field Seminars, Skagit Tours)
  • High School backcountry Programs (Youth Leadership Adventures)
  • Day programs (on hold in 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic; we may bring back our Snow School and Forest School programs in 2022). The Whatcom Connections program is currently managed by our Associate Director and its future is uncertain after the pandemic subsides.

Partnerships

  • Works closely with the Learning Center Director and staff to develop and support cooperative relationships with National Park Service, Seattle City Light, US Forest Service, and other partners to further the Institute’s mission
  • Represents North Cascades Institute at local, regional and national conferences
  • Develops new partnerships and programs as directed by the Institute’s strategic plan

Budget and Finance

  • Develops and manages annual budgets and work plans for Institute programs based on strategic priorities; monitors financial performance to achieve budget goals
  • Provides support to development staff engaged in donor cultivation, grant writing and reporting

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

  • Consistent with the Institute’s equity, diversity and inclusion goals, ensure that Learning Center programs are welcoming, relevant and accessible
  • Seeks to recruit, hire and support a diverse workforce.
  • Support equity initiatives at North Cascades Institute and actively contribute to NCI as a community of belonging that is welcoming and accessible to everyone. Develop personal equity, diversity, and inclusion related goal(s) and track progress towards your goal(s) with your supervisor

Application Deadline

Review of applications will begin immediately. Position will remain open until filled. Preferred start date: March 1, 2021.

To Apply

Please apply online on our website at: http://ncascades.atsondemand.com/

Complete the online application and upload a resume and a cover letter applicable for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce is a high priority at North Cascades Institute. The Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, citizenship or any other basis prohibited by law in any of its policies or programs. People of Color and members of the LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.

About North Cascades Institute

North Cascades Institute’s mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature. Since 1986, we have helped connect people, nature and community through science, art, literature and the hands-on study of natural and cultural history. Our goal is to help people of all ages and backgrounds experience and enjoy the mountains, rivers, forests, people and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest – so all will care for and protect this special place.

North Cascades Institute is a respected leader among U.S. environmental education organizations, and we believe that sustainable communities are built on healthy environments, vibrant economies and social equity. The Institute is in sound financial health with a $4 million budget and strong reserves, and 15 four-star ratings with Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. Our administrative office is co-located with the National Park Service and US Forest Service in Sedro-Woolley, WA. The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center is located on Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park.

North Cascades Environmental Learning Center

Named a ‘Top Three Spots in the North Cascades ‘ by The Seattle Times and ‘Top Ten Great Getaways’ by ParentMap Magazine, the Environmental Learning Center is a hub of discovery for all ages in one of the wildest, most biologically diverse landscapes in North America. Operated by North Cascades Institute in partnership with the National Park Service and the City of Seattle, our award-winning residential campus is nestled on the shores of Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park. Activities include school and youth programs, a graduate program, classes for adults, teachers and families, and a wide array of conferences and retreats. Featuring earth-friendly design and operations, our tree-sheltered campus features 16 buildings:

  • Multimedia classrooms, a research library and aquatic and terrestrial labs
  • Overnight lodging for up to 92 participants, plus housing for graduate students and staff
  • A lakeside dining hall with a recycling/composting center
  • An amphitheater, outdoor learning shelters and trails leading into the surrounding wildlands
  • A dock on Diablo Lake for paddling adventures
  • ADA-accessible facilities and pathways

Experience and Skills:

Qualifications

Required Ability and Experience:

  • Enthusiasm for the mission of the North Cascades Institute.
  • Demonstrated ability to coach and motivate staff and foster a positive workplace environment.
  • Initiative/ability to prioritize tasks with exemplary time management and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong writing and presentation skills.
  • Professional experience in environmental or place-based education
  • Strong leadership skills (minimum 3 years supervisory experience)
  • Entrepreneurial attitude, and able to lead Institute growth by seeking new partnerships and modifying or developing relevant programs.
  • Ability to accommodate a varied work schedule including evenings and weekends.

Preferred Ability and Experience:

  • Residential learning centers, camps, schools or similar facilities
  • Teaching interdisciplinary natural and cultural history
  • Program evaluation and assessment
  • Partnerships, particularly agencies and/or higher education
  • Leading and teaching in place-based, field and backcountry settings
  • Environmental education with urban or tribal communities.
  • Communities that are historically marginalized or underrepresented in the field of environmental education or with a social justice component
  • Familiarity with Performance Coaching model of supervision
  • Fluency in multiple languages, Spanish preference
  • Current certification as Wilderness First Responder or EMT

Other Requirements

  • Ability to comply with a smoke- and drug-free work environment
  • Criminal history disclosure form and background check will be required
  • Willingness to commute to and work in a remote National Park including experiencing snow-covered roads, avalanches, wildfire, smoke, wild animals, and flooding

Job Benefits:

Compensation, Benefits and Housing

Salary range is $60,000 – $70,000 depending on experience. This is a regular, full-time, exempt position. We offer a competitive compensation package; benefits include paid time-off, medical/dental insurance, short and long-term disability, tax-deferred annuity and defined contribution retirement plans. Shared Institute housing is available for rent on campus and in Marblemount. Pets and smoking are not allowed in Institute housing or during programs. Nearest towns to the Environmental Learning Center: Diablo (1 mile) Newhalem (8 miles), Marblemount (20 miles), Rockport (31 miles).