Youth Program Facilitator

About Us

Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary is a nonprofit conservation education center providing environmental stewardship programs for families since 1987. Our Afterschool in Nature program serves youth in grades 3–8, Monday through Friday on our 600-acre nature reserve in Orange, Vermont. We intentionally serve youth who benefit most from nature-based learning, including those with higher support needs, behavioral and emotional challenges, and limited prior access to outdoor programming. We are a small, dedicated team that takes this work seriously and finds deep meaning in it, and we are looking for staff who do too.

The Role

The Youth Program Facilitator is a core field leadership position responsible for curriculum development, direct youth engagement, and program implementation. This role carries particular responsibility for activity planning and nature education, bringing depth and intentionality to our seasonal programming. You will work closely with the Director of Youth Education and Executive Director as part of a collaborative team.

This is a fully in-person position at our 600-acre nature reserve in Orange, Vermont.

What You'll Do

• Lead activity and curriculum planning and implementation in partnership with the Director of Youth Education, including designing seasonal program arcs, developing activity plans, and building a replicable library of activity resources
• Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and engagement with enrolled youth
• Collaborate with staff to maintain high-quality nature mentoring programs
• Implement DCF and Sage Mountain health and safety guidelines for all programming
• Participate in professional development including trauma-informed practices, specialized care, universal design for learning, and equity and inclusion
• Communicate professionally and promptly with families, colleagues, and community partners
• Participate in program outreach and recruitment

Required Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience in nature education, outdoor programming, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated ability to plan, document, and implement curriculum, including written activity plans, learning objectives, and seasonal program sequencing
• Genuine comfort working with higher-needs youth, including those with behavioral, emotional, or developmental support needs — this is central to our mission
• Emotional self-regulation and the capacity to hold a grounded, steady presence in the field
• Familiarity with risk management in outdoor education settings and comfort supervising youth near water and in varied terrain
• Commitment to trauma-informed, equity-centered, and accessible practices
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with youth, families, colleagues, and community partners
• Ability to work independently, follow through on commitments, and communicate proactively when challenges arise
• Openness to self-reflection, feedback, and ongoing professional development
• Attention to detail and care in maintaining safe, clean, and organized program spaces
• Comfort with Google Suite and Airtable or willingness to learn
• Valid Vermont driver's license and reliable transportation suitable for unpaved roads in all seasons
• Must pass comprehensive background check and fingerprinting per Vermont DCF requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, Vermont Afterschool Foundations Certificate, or equivalent life experience in education, outdoor, or wilderness-based fields
• Experience developing written curriculum or activity guides for nature-based programs
• Experience supporting youth with IEPs, behavioral support plans, or trauma histories
• Familiarity with decolonization frameworks and Indigenous relationships to land

Physical Requirements

• Significant time outdoors in all weather conditions across all Vermont seasons
• Comfort supervising youth at and near water including ponds, streams, and kayaking activities per our DCF-approved aquatic safety plan
• Regular exposure to campfire, wood smoke, water, and outdoor risks including extreme temperatures and ticks
• Some office time for planning, documentation, and communication

Hours and Compensation

• School year: approximately 25–30 hours per week, Monday–Friday, generally 1:00–6:00 pm plus team meetings and early release days
• Summer Camp: 40 hours per week for six weeks (June–August)
• Starting rate: $22/hour, compensation commensurate with experience
• Paid professional development and training provided
• Target start date: August 24, 2026 for orientation and training; August 31 for program launch