Youth Leadership Program Manager

Summary of position

Based out of the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center (ELC) in the summer and the Sedro-Woolley office in the fall, winter and spring the Youth Leadership Program Manager provides leadership and program oversight of the Youth Leadership Adventures (YLA) program. Key responsibilities include developing and managing the program budget; hiring a high-functioning program instruction team; collaborating closely with other ELC departments and programs; maintaining positive mission-enhancing relationships with partner agencies; supervising key staff responsible for implementing the Youth Leadership program; and advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in North Cascades Institute (NCI) programs and culture. This position works directly with staff instructors to ensure high quality instruction, logistical support, and risk management. The Youth Leadership Program Manager is a core member of the Institute’s Program Team.

Qualifications

Competencies:

• Awareness of privilege and personal bias and how it influences own leadership practice
• Proactive, results-oriented management
• Ability to initiate and prioritize tasks with exemplary time management and problem-solving skills
• Adaptable, solution-oriented mindset to opportunities and challenges
• Program development
• Program evaluation and assessment
• Ability to develop and implement process improvements
• Budget development and management
• An understanding of non-profit organizations and governance
• Strong writing and presentation skills
• Collaborative style

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to mentor and motivate staff and foster a positive, inclusive workplace environment
• At least two years of experience in backcountry programming, including: program logistics and delivery, teaching backpacking and canoe-camping skills, and managing the risks associated with these activities
• At least two years of experience supervising adults
• Ability to accommodate a varied work schedule including some evenings, nights, and weekends
• Ability to work overnight on-call shifts, on average 1-2x a week in the summer
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and manage relationships with community partners and other organizations.
• Given the remote location, personal transportation is required.
• Current Wilderness First Responder certification or higher

Preferred Experience:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Environmental education, Education, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology or related field.
• Experience teaching lessons on stewardship, climate change, identity, natural and cultural history, and/or leadership
• Working or living in communities that are historically marginalized or underrepresented in the field of environmental education
• Demonstrated commitment to increasing equitable access to outdoor engagement
• Spanish language proficiency

Other Requirements

• Ability to comply with a smoke- and drug-free work environment
• Ability to travel over uneven terrain and spend multiple nights in the backcountry
• Commitment to building a work environment that is welcoming and inclusive to all.
• Valid driver’s license and driving record check must have no more than one moving violation in the past three years, no DUI, reckless driving or serious moving violations, etc.
• Final offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check that may include employment history, national criminal background check, national sex offender registry search and a driving history check.

Responsibilities

Leadership, Management, and Supervision

• Develop and manage the YLA budget, including monitoring monthly reports, analyzing revenue and expenses, and allocating resources.
• Supervise the YLA Program Coordinators
• Manage hiring processes for YLA instructors, including seeking to hire and support a diverse and inclusive workforce.
• Develop and facilitate YLA staff training, with support from other full-time YLA program staff.

Youth Leadership Adventures Program Oversight

• Provide leadership, guidance, design, revision, and management of program and curricula, including the integration of principles of Welcoming & Belonging, Next Generation Science Standards, and other key standards
• Create and implement risk management plans for YLA activities and excursions.
• Assist with summer program support, including driving, evacuations, resupplies, student registration, logistics and on-call shifts.
• Play an active role in risk management including shared responsibility for daytime and overnight on-call duties of YLA trips.campus supervision (on average of 1-2 nights/week).
• Continue the YLA community partnership effort by stewarding established relationships and seeking to build new relationships through year-round communication, program support, and outreach
• Conduct comprehensive program evaluations and regularly assess program components and curricula

 General

• Support and actively contribute to the Institute’s Welcoming & Belonging initiatives.
• Participate in Learning Center staff meetings and contribute to cleaning of shared spaces..
• Coordinate with and provide support to Institute development staff in grant writing, donor cultivation, and reporting as requested.

Compensation

This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position subject to a winter furlough (unpaid) of 2 to 4 weeks. The pay rate is $27.98 per hour.

Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation package. Benefits include the following:

• Sick Leave – accrued at the rate of 0.04615 per hour.
• Vacation Leave – accrued at the rate of 0.0385 per hour in the first year (about 10 days), with increasing accrual in successive years. Positions with furloughs may accrue less than 10 days.
• Holiday Leave – 12 days maximum per year.
• Service Days – 2 days per year.
• Other paid time-off such as family leave, pregnancy leave, bereavement leave, etc.
• Medical/dental insurance, long and short-term disability insurance, tax-deferred annuity, and contribution retirement plan.
• Ability to participate in Institute pro deals
• Yearly stipend to participate in Institute programs.

Benefits are prorated for employees working less than 40 hours per week.

Housing

Good quality housing is available through the Institute at $397.28 per month, including utilities, considerably below market rates. Private rooms in shared houses are typically available, but not guaranteed. In rare cases, roommates in shared rooms may be required at $198.64 per month.

Start Date

May 18, 2026

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.

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 21 four-star ratings with Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.