Youth Engagement Manager

Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

Who We Are

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world working in more than 75 countries and territories. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive.

We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which includes a Commitment to Diversity and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s lots of reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube on Glassdoor.

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging, and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you.

Our dedicated, talented, and fun Arkansas staff work closely with partners and stakeholders on fire restoration, Delta conservation, river restoration, and connecting people with nature strategies utilizing a network of projects and preserves to test and share conservation practices and develop policy. Arkansas has a collaborative conservation culture which is well supported by donors and the general public. The State’s 1/8-cent sales tax generates about $90 million per year to advance conservation. Working with these many partners the chapter has helped conserve more than 340,000 acres, hundreds of river and stream miles, and has timberlands, ranches, lodges, and recreational amenities for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, floating, and climbing. This position is located in Arkansas’ capital city of Little Rock. Little Rock is vibrant community located near large public conservation lands, lakes and rivers. It has a greenway, numerous dining options, thriving art scenes, many farmer’s markets, and abundant opportunities for world-class outdoor recreation.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Youth Engagement Manager manages a program that develops recreation-based programs to provide a platform for youth to experience nature. They lead a summer youth work program focused on exposing diverse youth to conservation career opportunities. They collaborate closely with the Director of Conservation, Director of Communications, and other program staff to develop youth and family based programs to inspire people for nature. The Youth Engagement Manager also works closely with our Philanthropy Team to develop funding proposals and programs reports.

Essential Functions

The Youth Engagement Manager manages the Arkansas Chapter’s youth engagement program to advance our Inspiring People for Nature Strategy. They develop and provide weekly outdoor recreation programs for Arkansas’ youth to foster an appreciation and interest in nature. The programs use Conservancy nature preserves and other natural lands to broaden the foundation of support for conservation by establishing partnerships with other organizations (schools, scouts, NGO’s, churches, agencies) that provide students with nature- and field-based experiences. The Youth Engagement Manager understands that immersive hands-on experiences and exposure to conservation practices nurtures interests in nature and the outdoors and grows a community of people in support of conservation. The Youth Engagement Manager leads an internship program to expose diverse high school students to career opportunities. They supervise and guide the intern team as they perform outdoor stewardship work on nature preserves and other conservation lands. The Youth Engagement Manager works with the Recreational Director to ensure that the Conservancy’s nature preserves are used by the public in a manner that informs and provides a positive recreational experience.

Responsibilities & Scope

• Develops youth-based outdoor recreation programs that inspire an interest and love of nature
• Develops the student engagement program and serves as a role model by working alongside students in the field, ensuring their and physical safety, and assisting them with making the most out of their field or internship experience, explaining and demonstrating work tasks, motivating students and facilitating communication.
• Develops relationships with partners that will attract a diverse range of participants.
• Works closely with partners in developing suitable activities, understanding the work rules surrounding various age-groups.
• Serve as Arkansas Youth Safety Officer and ensures staff receive training and comply with policies.
• Provides clear communication with partner organizations, students, interns, and Chapter staff.
• Works with philanthropy staff to secure funding and develop program reporting.
• Creates and manages budgets.
• Develops an evaluation method to track program success and inform program structure
• Proactively seeks feedback from partner organizations, TNC staff, student intern, donors, and recreational users.
• Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• May supervise seasonal staff and responsible for performance.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• This position requires frequently working on weekends. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience supervising youth/students in outdoor recreation programming or as a wilderness guide.
• Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, e.g., media, government officials, teachers.
• Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
• Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Experience in training.
• Must have valid driver’s license.

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Experience teaching multiple outdoor recreation activities (e.g., climbing, paddling, cycling).
• 3-5 years’ experience in conservation social science or youth programming.
• Applies science to decision-making and guide activities.
• Programming experience with high school and middle school students preferred.
• Experience in program development, management, and planning.
• Excellent team player with flexibility, strong communication and organization skills, and a sense of humor.
• Current wilderness first aid (WFA) and CPR certification. If not currently certified, training will be provided at TNC expense.

Additional Job Information

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including; health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, accrued paid time off (including annual, personal, and sick leave), life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellness benefits. Benefits may be subject to generally applicable eligibility, waiting period, contribution, and other requirements and conditions. Learn more about our benefits at nature.org/careers. We’re proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellness, and flexibility needs of the people we employ.

AUTO SAFETY POLICY

This position requires a valid driver’s license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered “high risk drivers.” To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/recruitment/ under the FAQ section.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee’s motor vehicle record.

SALARY INFORMATION

Salary Range Commensurate with Experience: $48,100 – $55,000.

APPLY NOW

To apply for job ID 51115, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/ by 11:59 PM EST on March 29, 2022. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact [email protected].

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19. By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.