Youth Leadership Specialist Jobs

Your Connection to Wildlife

As one of Canada’s largest not for profit leaders in wildlife conservation, research, and advocacy, we are seeking to fill the following position…

WILD Outside Youth Leadership Specialist (YLS)

Location: Work-from-home in St. John's, NL

Reports to: Wild Outside Youth Leadership Manager

Fixed-Term until March 31, 2024

Who we are:

The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is a national not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to ensuring an appreciation of our natural world and a lasting legacy of healthy wildlife and habitat. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, developing and delivering educational programs, conducting research, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, and advocating for effective wildlife policy and regulation, CWF strives for a future in which Canada’s wildlife is conserved for generations to come.

Diversity is a fundamental part of our core values; we create every opportunity to become more inclusive. We encourage applications from qualified candidates from all diverse communities including, but not limited to, Indigenous persons, racially visible persons, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+, and women in non-traditional roles. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please notify HR at any time.

Position Overview:

Wild Outside (WO), a year-round youth education program of CWF, is seeking a Youth Leadership Specialist in St. John's, NL. This program, which is supported by the Canada Service Corps, combines outdoor experience with service learning and leadership development for youth ages 15– 18 across Canada. Youth Leadership Specialists (YLS) play an important role as they work to facilitate and coordinate a variety of experiential activities in their local communities that help aid in the awareness, education, and connection between youth, the outdoors, and their community as it pertains to sustainability and conservation. This is a location-based work-from-home opportunity that requires the ideal candidate to be a self-starter. Each city that Wild Outside operates in consists of 2- 3 staff that will work both independently and as a team to accomplish program goals. Youth Leadership Specialists will work under the support and guidance of Wild Outside management, and will frequently collaborate with the Education, Finance, Marketing, IT, and Human Resources departments. More details about the program can be found on our website and social medias:

Qualifications/Experience:

Required:

• Must reside within reasonable commuting distance from the city applying for, or willing to relocate at own expense.
• Relevant Diploma, Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience in either education/youth work, social work, community development or environment/conservation.
• Group facilitation/management skills and public speaking abilities.
• First Aid – Standard first aid or higher. (Can be obtained later)
• Bilingual (English/French) written & oral required, any additional language would be an asset
• Basic computer program knowledge (Microsoft suite) and data entry skills necessary. Ability to learn new programs required.
• Mental Health First Aid (Can be obtained later)
• Experience (professional or volunteer) in the development and oversight of experiential education programming for youth.
• Employee must have a valid driver’s license and regular access to a vehicle and must be legally able to rent a vehicle.

Assets:

• Experience working with underrepresented youth; youth with disabilities, mental health concerns, from indigenous communities and various socio-economic situations.
• Some experience (personal, professional, or volunteer) in the outdoors, outdoor recreation, coaching, camp counselling and community service groups.
• Good writing and research skills.
• Some experience in event planning, project management/organization, and sales.

Supporting the Wild Outside Management team the Wild Outside Youth Leadership Specialist will:

• Coordinate and facilitate programing in their assigned communities.
• Manage, maintain, and evaluate programs/activities.
• Maintain a network of partners to support delivery of the program.
• Ensure that participants are prepared for full participation in programs.
• Ensure that program participants assigned to them are connected with CWF’s programming and programming connected with other program partners.
• Maintain all relevant paperwork and data.
• Assist with the recruitment of youth & adult volunteers wishing to participate in the program.
• Perform community outreach.
• Seek out potential local/provincial funding sources for the program.
• Facilitate program activities and tracking results of the delivery of the program in their city.
• Contribute as a member of a youth service and conservation communities of practice.

Core Duties:

Program Planning

• Book and plan events (transportation, venues, speakers, supplies etc.)
• Ensure facilities and venues for programs are appropriate and meet safety standards.
• Co-creating program materials and resources for their city programs.
• Communicate Weekly/monthly with participants/families, volunteers and partners through newsletters, meetings, and other methods.
• Coordinate ‘to do’ lists in their city and manage your time effectively.
• Develop at home challenges and ways to stay connected with participants between in- person events.
• Purchase supplies or services from outside vendors.
• Develop and encourage leadership opportunities for participants.
• Develop mentor relationships with the participants from intake process, during program participation, and as alumni
• Ensure events have been assessed and compatible with our risk management policies.

Program Delivery

• Use of experiential education methods in program delivery.
• Facilitate the delivery of programming to participants in outdoor activities and in conservation service projects.
• Supervise and facilitate program participants, and adult volunteers assigned to them.

Program Follow-up

• Keep local inventory up-to-date and maintain equipment.
• Keep up with frequent data entry and statistics reporting on programming.
• Contribute to internal updates, reports, and prepare informational spreadsheets.
• Participate in risk management reviews and evaluate programs/activities regularly to adapt as needed.

Program Supports

• Research in city/province/region for possible funding opportunities.
• Keep up with CWF programs, polices and procedures.
• Maintain local participant subsidy supports as needed.
• Support CWF/WO Communications & Marketing Plan.
• Research in city/province/region opportunities for collaboration with possible partners.
• Maintain a presence in the community through school & community presentations, booths, fairs/festivals, conferences, and other outreach opportunities.

Other/General

• Maintain good lines of communications with various audiences.
• Work as part of small and large teams. Attend appropriate team meetings (in person and remote).
• Represent the best of CWF/Wild Outside brand including the wearing of corporate dress/professional standards as required.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Maintain regular communication with CWF/Wild Outside supervisors, colleagues and partners regularly.
• Participate in professional development opportunities for continued personal growth.
• Participate in and contribution national event and program planning committees.

Position Profile:

• Ability to work outdoors in all weathers.
• Full-time, fixed-term position until March 31, 2024 pending funding approval.
• Ability to work independently.
• People-oriented, having the ability to work well with adult volunteers, community and business leaders, and representatives of other organizations, youth and parents/guardians while being culturally competent.
• Ability to work as part of a small local in-person team and large virtual team and under direct supervision.
• Maintain professional and appropriate boundaries with program participants, volunteers, and partners.
• Be able to work from the community, and home as required. Home based work environments.
• Public speaking and capacity to be well spoken and spontaneous.
• Requires a recent Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check clear of convictions (can be obtained later)
• Well organized, detail oriented, and highly professional.
• Flexible schedule, including ability to travel to both rural and urban areas, and work nights and weekends as needed.
• Ability to be a self-starter and use creativity.
• Location: This is a work from home position with frequent work outdoors & in the local community.
• Typically working 37.5 hours per week, overtime may be required.

Physical Demands – Moderate

Job Hazard – Moderate due to travel and outdoor activities

Mental Stress – Moderate

Human Relation Skills – Influential

Independent Working – Broad

Impact on End Results - Primary

Why work with us?

• Frequent and relevant professional development opportunities related to career and personal growth.
• Work-life balance
• Transparency between various levels of management
• We are committed to building a more diverse workforce
• We are a rapidly growing team of forward-thinking individuals who all share a common passion, the Canadian outdoors!
• Competitive compensation in addition to free enrollment in our Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• Opportunity to expand your network of education, conservation, and program experts.
• Friendly and casual work environment

APPLICATION DEADLINE: This position will be posted until filled.

Anticipated Start Date: Early October 2023

HOW TO APPLY: Cover letter and resume should be submitted. Only the candidates who meet the qualifications and experience for the position and are selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank you for your interest in the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

We are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace for all its candidates and employees by supporting their accessibility and accommodation needs throughout the employment lifecycle. We ask that job applications please identify any accommodation requirements by contacting the Human Resources department when selected for an interview.

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