Youth Education Specialist

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Wallowa Resources

Enterprise, Oregon

Job Type: Full-Time (Seasonal)

Salary: $24.58 - $36.86 per hour

Start / End Dates: 04-01-26 to 09-30-26

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY
Wallowa Resources (WR) is a community-based 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, established in 1996 with leadership from Wallowa County Commissioners. Since then, WR has worked to bring people together to empower rural communities to create strong economies and healthy landscapes through land stewardship, education, and job creation. Headquartered in Wallowa County, we strive to assist communities throughout Northeast Oregon and Southeast Washington balance rural economic well-being with the stewardship and conservation of its resources, preserving each rural area’s heritage of making a living from the land. www.wallowaresources.org

JOB SUMMARY
The Youth Education Specialist is responsible for assisting the Youth Education Manager and other education team staff with the development and implementation of youth education programs for K-12 students in classroom and outdoor settings. This includes our WREN out-of-school programs such as Friday WREN (5th-8th), WREN Camping (6th-7th), WREN Backpacking (13-15-year olds) and WREN Explorers Day Camp (2nd-4th); our OWL school programs such as Outdoor School (4th-6th), field trips (K-12) and classroom visits (K-12); and our HAWK workforce programs such as our summer high school internship (9th-12th) and workforce workshops and events. These programs provide hands-on exposure to the natural history and ecology of the region, stimulate place-based interest in stewardship for the region, augment natural science curriculum of the schools, build leadership traits, and expose youth to careers in natural resources. www.wallowainstitute.org

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Develops and teaches curriculum that engages youth in experiential, place-based learning about the natural environment of Wallowa County, while also providing opportunity to gain skills and knowledge in science, technology, math and social/relational skills.
  • Assists the Youth Education Manager and education team in the implementation of annual work plans by assisting with the planning, preparation, and execution of WREN, OWL, and HAWK youth education programs.
  • Safely leads groups of youth into remote wilderness areas on high school intern field work days, day hikes, day programs, overnight camping adventure programs, and other programs.
  • Maintains positive relationships with key WR partners by assisting with the delivery of partner youth programs in Wallowa County.
  • Leads activities through a trauma informed teaching lens and promotes a positive group environment where all youth participants feel a sense of belonging (welcomed, respected, and included) in our program’s learning community.
  • Assists with general maintenance and inventory of education program gear and supplies.
  • Assists WR’s communication and outreach goals by coordinating with Communications and Development team in promoting programs; represents WR at local youth oriented community activities/events; and contributes to otherpublic relations of the organization.
  • Assists with other tasks as needed.

Qualifications / Experience Level Required:

The following are the minimum levels required to successfully perform the Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Demonstrate teamwork and positive day-to-day work relationships and interactions with staff, youth program participants, parents, board members, members of the public, and community partners.
  • Willingness to learn, collaborate and reflect, while working independently and in a team
  • A valid Driver’s License, with a minimum of two years driving under that license, and an acceptable driving record according to WR’s auto liability policy requirements.
  • Ability to pass a pre-employment background check.
  • A minimum certification in CPR/First-Aid (or be willing to obtain).
  • Comfortable working in outdoor (often remote) settings – ability to maintain youth safety in remote wilderness settings.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working with youth of all ages (elementary – high school).
  • Experience lesson planning and teaching in outdoor/experiential education or classroom settings.
  • A degree in education, natural sciences, environmental studies, or related fields OR equivalent real-world experience.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, must be comfortable in group settings, and able to respond effectively and appropriately in stressful or conflict situations.
  • Ability to use computer and mobile devices with a broad range of design and communication software.
  • Detail oriented and good with managing program logistics (ie: trip planning, registration info, parent contact, partner coordination)

WORKING CONDITIONS
Environment and Physical Requirements: The Youth Education Specialist works in an office and outdoor environment. During the summer months the position works primarily in outdoor education locations including wilderness, parks, forests, camps, and other locations. Those outdoor locations are subject to a variety of extreme weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, smoke, and dust. The position frequently requires daily travel by car, with occasional overnight travel. The Youth Education Specialist interacts constantly with staff, visitors, program participants, parents, government agencies, and others. The position sits, stands, walks, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours. The incumbent must be able to lift, push, pull and move files and equipment in excess of 25 pounds.

Hours: Typical office hours are part time from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, note that Wallowa Resources supports a 36-hour work week. The incumbent may be required to work extended hours and travel on non-work days. This includes evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Other Duties and Responsibilities: This job description is a summary of the essential duties and responsibilities for this job, and it does not necessarily represent an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities, tasks or procedures. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instruction or assignments. Nothing in this description restricts WR’s right to assign or reassign duties at any time.

Accommodation Statement: Essential job duties and responsibilities are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform the job successfully, an incumbent must possess the experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform each essential duty and responsibility proficiently. If you require an accommodation in order to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job, please contact the WR Executive Director.

Wallowa Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer

How To Apply
Submit your application package to Wallowa Resources via emai – info@wallowaresources.org

Include:
  • Cover Letter (1 page maximum)
  • Resume
  • Names and contact information for 3 professional references

Contact:

Apply for This Position: info@wallowaresources.org

Application Closes: Open Until Filled

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