Field Coordinator - Summer Youth Corps

Position: Field Coordinator (Multiple Positions)

Location: Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Finland, MN; travel throughout MN and surrounding states

Salary: $3,500 per month

Schedule: Full-time, Seasonal exempt. Residential from May 20 – Aug 16, 2024

Benefits: Training, lodging, transportation & food provided for the duration of the program 

View complete position description. 

About Summer Youth Corps (SYC): 

Youth members (ages 15-18) connect with the outdoors and grow personally and professionally through paid hands-on conservation work during this summer residential program. AmeriCorps members (ages 19-35) spend the summer living outdoors while leading and supervising the youth. SYC is dedicated to accessibility for the Deaf/hard-of-hearing community and runs American Sign Language (ASL) crews. Field Coordinators will engage in ASL lessons and games throughout training and continue to promote enthusiasm for language learning throughout the summer.

Position Summary: 

Field Coordinators are integral to the Summer Youth Corps’ program goals of youth and leadership development, accomplishing environmental projects, as well as providing training, education, and leadership to ensure a positive and safe experience for participants. All Field Coordinators will work collaboratively with one another and the Program Managers to provide comprehensive support to youth crews throughout the summer season. This season there will be three Field Coordinators, each with a particular focus:

The Operations Coordinator primarily handles the distribution, collection, and maintenance of all tools and equipment used throughout the program as well as all vehicle logistics, paperwork, and upkeep. This position will also support tool training, use, and maintenance.

The Education Activities Coordinator primarily handles the distribution, collection, and teaching of educational materials, coordinating logistics for weekend and in-camp activities, collection of media (photos and video) to use for promotional purposes, and the management of SYC media profiles. 

The American Sign Language Community Coordinator (ASLCC) primarily oversees the development of an equitable and inclusive environment for SYC’s ASL program participants. The ASLCC will directly support the youth and members of SYC’s ASL affinity crew, as well as lead ASL lessons and games to build community between the ASL and non-ASL youth and AmeriCorps Members. ASLCC will also be expected to mentor and provide feedback to the emergent Sign Language interpreters serving as Crew Lead/Interpreters for the ASL affinity crew. Deaf Interpreters or professional/certified Sign Language interpreters are strongly encouraged to apply.

Qualifications:

• Experience working with 15- to 35-year-old individuals and ability to coach young people from diverse backgrounds to work safely and productively together on various projects as well as camp responsibilities.
• Ability to evaluate crew leader performance and conduct behavior management with leaders and youth
• Willingness to learn and adapt to changing plans, work, and weather conditions
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision to accomplish a wide variety of tasks in a safe and timely manner
• Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills
• Ability to work hard in an outdoor setting in adverse conditions with limited time off
• Ability to foster strong work habits, environmental ethics, youth leadership and team unity
• Positive attitude, interest in community service, and desire to make a difference
• Working knowledge of conservation projects from a variety of disciplines such as trail construction, invasive plant management, prairie/forest management, and knowledge of tool safety and use preferred.
• Fluency in ASL and/or ASL interpreter training preferred.

Requirements:

• Must pass a criminal history check consisting of a National Sex Offender Public Website check, a state criminal history check, and a fingerprint-based FBI check. Passing the criminal history check is defined as no positive hits on the NSOPW and no history of violent offenses on the state or FBI checks.
• Valid driver’s license, safe driving record (no major moving violations or DUIs in the past five years), and willingness and ability to drive 12 passenger vans

Additional Information:

Summer Youth Corps is a residential program, meaning that transportation, food, and lodging (in tents and dorm rooms) are provided for participants for the duration of the program. Field Coordinators coach and support Summer Youth Corps crews, who typically work 7-hour days and engage in 1 hour of education activities, Monday through Friday. When crews are not training at basecamp at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, Field Coordinators travel to visit crews in natural areas across Minnesota and neighboring states while camping in tents and preparing their own meals. This position does require work, and often travel, on evenings and weekends.

Field Coordinators will have paid time off from July 1 – July 5.