Piscataquis County Education Manager

The Appalachian Mountain Club’s A Mountain Classroom program uses inspiring outdoor settings and experiential education to engage students and their teachers in ecology, earth science, and leadership development and teambuilding. Each year A Mountain Classroom (AMCR) serves thousands of students across the Northeast. As a leader in the field of environmental education, AMCR programs create unparalleled educational experiences that complement classroom learning and other developmental student goals. AMCR programming incorporates hands-on, place-based education into our partners’ curricula and other youth development objectives.  

This multi-faceted position will manage and develop AMC’s educational efforts in Maine’s Piscataquis County as a component of the AMCR Maine Woods Community and Youth Environment Program (MWCYEP). This position works closely with a variety of community partners to provide environmental education, youth positive development, and outdoor recreation learning experiences to youth from Piscataquis County and Jackman, ME. Responsibilities include program design, scheduling, curriculum decisions, and logistics. Direct field instruction with youth, teachers, and families is an important part of this role. Programs include day-long and overnight outdoor experiences.  

The Appalachian Mountain Club values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are working to create a team that is representative of the student populations that we serve and thus welcome hardworking individuals from all backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities.  

What you’ll be doing at AMC  

• Build and maintain relationships with school and youth organization staff in Piscataquis County to ensure impactful programs in outdoor education, environmental education, and youth development that advance goals and meet expectations for both AMC and partners.
• Promote, schedule, manage, and teach a yearly slate of single-day and residential programs with local schools and community organizations in communities, at AMC sites, and in the backcountry.
• Supervise full-time and seasonal staff including hiring, training, coaching, and evaluating. Provide logistical and professional development support for field educators. Perform field checks to provide feedback and ensure program quality.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate student-centered and nature-centered curriculum that supports Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for elementary to high school aged youth.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and outcomes through data analysis, participant feedback, and observation.
• Implement risk management, safety, and on-call guidelines and ensure consistency across staff and program sites.
• Manage incidents, field evacuations, and hospital visits when necessary.
• Ensure Code of Conduct expectations are met.
• Support grant writing and reporting.
• Meet the objectives outlined in grants and annual program objectives (1,500 youth experiences annually).
• Support the AMC’s Dark Sky Initiative.
• Manage budget and operations for Maine school programs.
• Perform on-call duties for youth programs. Manage field evacuations and hospital visits.
• Manage teaching and equipment inventory.
• Work with a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Actively contribute to and support the cohesive operation across AMC departments and facilities.
• Represent the AMC professionally to the public, especially to local communities.

Qualifications

What AMC is looking for   

• Four-year college degree in Environmental Education, Earth Science, Outdoor Recreation, or Natural Resources Management or other combinations of relevant education and experience (formal or non-formal).
• 3-5 years of demonstrated and progressively increasing environmental or outdoor leadership experience, including experiential program delivery, wilderness trip leading, or ecology education.
• Demonstrated management experience. Ability to promote staff development and teamwork. Cooperative approach to working with others in a large and diverse organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills for a fast-paced and changeable program schedule.
• Ability to perform work in a remote camp setting and travel safely in the backcountry in all weather conditions, carrying up to 40 lbs. of gear. Work is also performed in a standard office setting.
• Commitment to creating equitable, inclusive, and culturally relevant outdoor learning experiences.
• Valid Wilderness First Aid certification, or the ability to obtain (WFR or WEMT preferred).
• Maine Guide registration or the ability to obtain.
• Valid Maine driver’s license or the ability to obtain and DOT certification.
• Competent with Microsoft Office suite of programs.
• The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger. The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility which serves children, disabled persons, or the elderly to have a criminal record check performed annually.