Youth School Programs Coordinator

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS INSTITUTE AT TREMONT

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Our Values and Culture

We create experiential education programs focused on the natural world, knowing such learning and research opportunities are uniquely suited to bring about life changing outcomes in individual passion for learning, sense of worth, and behavior.

We believe a lost connection with the natural world can be repaired beginning with experiences that take place in the original classroom—the outdoors. We believe such experiences produce cascading results that enrich individual lives, strengthen communities, and empower citizens.

We celebrate the distinctive setting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) provides as a living laboratory to explore the biodiversity that forms the building blocks of healthy ecosystems, examine past and present human impacts on the land, and navigate questions about how to best support the land that supports us.

We carry out our mission with both urgency and joy, recognizing that the work of connecting people and nature could not be timelier.

Qualities we seek

Candidates for the Youth School Programs Coordinator have experience in the logistical coordination of educational programs. This position oversees the creation of a schedule for each one of the 50+ school groups that Tremont sees in a school year. The production of these schedules includes factors like assigning teaching staff, juggling resources and teaching spaces between concurrent programs, and communicating with all departments in Tremont. Our ideal applicant would enjoy the challenge of fitting together all these pieces like a jigsaw puzzle.

We are seeking people who can attend to details, and also seek to improve processes. An ideal applicant is someone who can keep track of the various details in the running of a school program (like meal times, staffing, requested classes), but also has a broader vision to oversee flows of information between departments and customers. They can find inefficiencies and help brainstorm improvements.

Strong candidates for this position have the interpersonal skills that project warmth and hospitality. Communication is the heart of the position, and strong applicants help teachers and Tremont staff feel warm, included, and taken care of. They have well-honed skills of good communication. They can communicate clearly and concisely in a variety of modes. They negotiate potential conflicts or friction with empathy and affinity-seeking.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this position. Other duties may be required and assigned by supervisor.

Program

• Coordinates program schedules/itineraries for visiting school groups.

• Ensures communication flows between Tremont departments to support all aspects of school programs.

• Develops and maintains positive & productive relationships with lead teachers, other visiting teachers, chaperones and students.

• Develops and teaches classes, leads hikes and expeditions with school, field and summer programs as assigned.

• Oversees the coordination of all school groups from the time of their arrival through their departure.

• Supports lead teachers in all aspects of trip planning, including parent information events and customizing program offerings.

• Works closely with the Manager of the Teacher Network to ensure seamless support of teachers and recruitment of new schools.

Faculty Development

• Assists with hiring, training, and ongoing evaluation of program teaching faculty in coordination with Youth Programs Director.

• Assist in the coordination of year-round staff training opportunities.

Administrative

• Works with program leadership, Registrar, and Food Services Manager to coordinate and maximize group scheduling.

• Creates program schedules using internal software database (Altru) and word documents.

• Distributes program schedules to staff and departments in a timely manner.

• Collaborates with other program coordinators to ensure clear communication across Tremont’s various program types.

• Analyzes seasonal staffing data (hours, shifts, etc). to monitor progress toward sustainability in staffing.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operates a motor vehicle to transport program participants or to conduct other work activities.

• Provides education and information to school teachers, parent groups, adjunct faculty, board members, NPS staff, partners, donors, or other individuals; gives speeches and presentations; distributes educational materials.

• Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new techniques, practices, trends, and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends conferences, seminars, workshops, and training sessions as appropriate.

• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelors in Environmental Education, or closely related field; supplemented by a minimum of three (3) years previous experience and/or training that includes residential environmental education, summer youth/adult program operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Demonstrated experience with program development, management, and working with schools and teachers. Applicant must have a keen interest in, and aptitude for, Natural History and placed-based experiential education.

Performance Aptitudes:

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Requires the ability to listen well, speak clearly and express thoughts effectively. This position must be a competent communicator as they relate with large groups, small groups as well as individuals. Additionally, this position requires strong writing skills.

INITIATIVE: Requires the ability to influence events rather than just accept them.

LEADERSHIP SKILLS: Requires the ability to effectively create conditions that will motivate and guide individuals towards task accomplishments and a productive work environment.

PLANNING, ORGANIZATION, AND PROBLEM SOLVING: Requires the ability to establish and translate plans for the department that are consistent with goals and priorities. Must have the ability to organize effectively and systematically.

SAFETY: Requires the ability to monitor and model safe work habits.

TEAMWORK: Requires the ability to communicate, support, and cooperate with others to achieve organization goals. Must be able work as part of the program management team in developing and implementing an appropriate vision for all programs.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE: Requires the experience with and ability to develop proficiency with a variety of software programs including Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Blackbaud services.

VEHICLE UTILIZATION: To drive Tremont vehicles requires possession and maintenance of a valid Tennessee driver’s license.

PHYSICAL ABILITY:: Tasks require the ability to exert moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (20-40 pounds). Must be able to hike while carrying a pack 10-15 miles in a day.

The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, GSMIT will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.