Opportunity

Salary: $38,000-$42,000

Based at The Wild Center, a natural history museum in New York’s Adirondack Park, the Youth Climate Program (YCP) is a global initiative that empowers students to develop and implement climate action plans in their schools and communities. The Wild Center is seeking a highly motivated and organized Youth Climate Coordinator to lead and organize the annual Adirondack Youth Climate Summit, directly supporting high school students with climate action plans, coordinating youth field trips, and assisting with communications. A core component of this position is mentoring and supporting high school youth through the lens of positive youth development.  

The Youth Climate Program works to embody the following values through all programming, resources and interactions: youth-driven, place-based, action-oriented, solutions-focused, hopeful and equitable. 

Responsibilities:

• Lead on planning the annual Adirondack Youth Climate Summit; a 2-day climate change conference for over 200 high school students and teachers. This includes managing agenda development, speaker outreach, student registration, marketing, and on-site logistics for a large hybrid event
• Support weekly summit planning sessions with 15-20 teens for 2 months leading up to the summit
• Mentor high school students on implementing climate action plans in their schools and communities, with a focus on supporting youth-driven ideas
• Manage a mini-grant program for youth climate action projects
• Lead on planning a summer 4-day Youth Climate Leadership Retreat and other youth leadership programming
• Support, track and build the youth climate alumni network
• Organize and chaperone youth field trips to Youth Climate Summits, regional sites and other climate education events, including preparing students to lead presentations and workshops for various audiences
• Work directly with regional teachers and youth organizations to support school environmental clubs/initiatives 
• Communicate clearly and professionally with youth, parents, teachers, organizational partners, internal staff and the public
• Assist with Youth Climate Program communications, including taking photos, writing copy, creating social media posts, and sourcing youth-generated content
• In collaboration with the center's education department, develop and teach climate change educational and interpretive public programming across The Wild Center LEED campus, including use of the Science on a Sphere and Climate Solutions exhibition
• Lead virtual and in-person workshops for climate change education outreach and engagement events and other speaking opportunities 
• Maintain a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion across all areas of work

Qualifications:

• Outstanding in-person and virtual communication and relational skills, with an emphasis on public speaking, facilitating educational experiences, and one-on-one conversations
• Direct experience working with high school students with a focus on positive youth development
• Experience with coordinating events, organizing field trips and doing community outreach
• A desire to help young people find their passions, overcome challenges, and become leaders
• Strong writing skills
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills
• Has an understanding of and passion for topics central to the Youth Climate Program, including climate change solutions, positive youth development, intersectional environmental issues, and dismantling systems of oppression
• Comfort with navigating complexity, balancing competing priorities and maintaining focus in a fast-paced work environment
• Confidence as an outward-facing representative of The Wild Center in various professional settings
• Willingness to travel occasionally to other Youth Climate Summits, speaking engagements, and tabling events with regional youth
• Competent with Google Suite, Zoom, and social media platforms
• Policies - be prepared to adhere to all Wild Center policies including Covid safety procedures and regulations. Full Covid 19 vaccination status is required as a condition of employment.

Open our Jeanne Hutchins Youth Climate Coordinator Application or go to  www.wildcenter.org/careers to access the job description and application link. Attach a resume and cover letter within the application form.