Program Coordinator - Mentoring in the Outdoors

 

 

Position Description

Bitterroot Venture Program Coordinator

.75 FTE (30 hours/week average) 

(Some evenings and weekends required; summer hours include 3-5 week long overnight trips)

Competitive Salary

Health related expense reimbursement; vacation, holiday, and sick time

 

B.E.A.R. is seeking a Program Coordinator for our Bitterroot Venture program.  We need someone who is talented at working with youth who sometimes have very challenging behaviors, has a passion for connecting youth to the outdoors and is also ready to take on managing the program.  We are a small and growing non-profit that was established in 1993.  Currently, our staff consists of a part-time Executive Director and Program Coordinator.  We are working on raising the funds to hire a Program Assistant, and later to hire two additional Program Leaders.   This is a chance for a self-starter to grow and strengthen a much needed community service.  Bitterroot Venture has been holding activities twice a week during the school year and 3-5 week long trips during the summer for the general public, including youth referred from Youth Court, Riverfront Mental Health and other agencies.  In the fall, we will begin three elements to the program: an intensive bi-weekly mentoring element for "at-risk" and "high-risk" youth, a bi-monthly outdoor adventure element for youth from the general public, and a leadership element which will identify and train peer mentors to assist with the intensive mentoring activities.  Most of our participants are low-income.  The activities are free or charged on a generous sliding scale.

 

To apply: send resume and three professional references to:

B.E.A.R.

103 S. 9th St. Suite 108

 Hamilton, MT  59840

or Apply Online through

Position open until filled/First review date September 5th, 2008

 

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

 Program:

1.  Coordinate all aspects of Bitterroot Venture  (Plan, recruit for, lead, publicize, record, evaluate and supervise staff and volunteers in a diversity of outdoor experiential mentoring activities for youth in Ravalli County)

2.  Manage the staff and volunteers (i.e. assist in prioritizing tasks, provide orientation and training, facilitate them in completing tasks and provide support depending on needs of staff).  

3.  Recruit youth by building partnerships with schools and other agencies that provide referrals as well as getting self-referals from youth by leading activities in schools and youth groups that draw youth to want to participate

4.  Lead a diversity of trips including hikes, backpacking, mountain biking, canoeing, skiing/snowboarding, rock climbing, white water rafting, search and rescue activities, service projects and much more (contracted guides are used for trips such as white water rafting, rockclimbing, and others that require specific expertise our leaders do not have)

5.  Publicize trips by sending out mailings, doing public service announcements, hanging flyers, contacting and/or presenting at community organizations, calling individual youth, etc.

6.  Record activities by keeping activity logs, individual case notes, participant spreadsheets, etc.

7.  Evaluate program by administering feedback forms and pre and post surveys to youth and their parents and soliciting feedback from community members

8.  Plan, evaluate, revise, and implement new strategies for meeting program goals

9.  Find and/or develop innovative, engaging training for staff and volunteers

10.  Prepare and break down activities, and maintain and organize equipment and supplies and supervise staff in doing so

12.  Develop additional program policies

11.  Work to lessen the organization’s negative effects and increase its positive effects on the environment whenever possible (i.e. buy locally, reuse material and supplies, recycle, reduce use of non-renewable resources, etc.)

12.  Communicate with E.D. when any legal, ethical, or moral concern arises and before representing B.E.A.R. in the media

 

Financial:

1.  Follow all agency financial procedures including completing accurate time sheets, reimbursement forms, and purchase orders before spending any of the organization’s funds

2.  Work with E.D. to stay within program budgets and cash flows

3.  Strive to provide activities as cost effectively as possible

4.  Assist with annual fundraisers

 

Community:

1. Increase B.E.A.R.’s representation in the community, schools, media, and educational events/organizations

2. Assess community needs through involvement in community networks and other means

3. Collaborate with other organizations on projects and programs to encourage networking, work sharing, and positive community relations

 

 

 

Qualifications

1.   At least 2 years experience working with a diversity of youth required

          ("high functioning", "at-risk", and "high-risk)

2.   Extensive outdoor experience required

3.   Strong organizational skills and attention to detail required

4.   Ability to calmly handle stressful situations required

5.   Wilderness First Responder and CPR required (can be completed upon hire)

6.   Excellent safety and risk assessment skills required

7.   MSW degree or equivalent experience or education preferred

8.   Experience in program coordination preferred

9.   Excellent ability to build rapport with youth quickly

10. Proven success eliciting change in a variety of youth

11. Ability to set appropriate boundaries and discipline while maintaining positive relationship

12. Excellent communication skills with diverse groups: participants, parents, staff, community partners

13. Ability to openly give and receive feedback

14. Proficiency working independently as well as a member of a team

15. Ability to be flexible and creative

16. Primitive skills knowledge helpful

 

 

*Other duties may be assigned related to the functioning of the B.E.A.R. office and its programs