Youth Program Facilitator

Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary is a nonprofit conservation education center providing environmental stewardship programs for families since 1987. Sage Mountain is now in its fourth year of hosting Afterschool in Nature, serving ages 8-12, running Monday through Friday in the afternoons throughout the academic school year.

Hosted at our 600-acre nature reserve located in Orange, Vermont, our afterschool curriculum follows the rhythm of our local wildlife and flora during this time of year. Youth will explore this by splashing in mountain streams, fishing and kayaking in our ponds, hiking and exploring the forests and garden meadows, snowshoeing and sledding in our snowy hills, and experiencing quality time outdoors through a variety of different activities. In the process, they will learn not only about the natural communities that surround them, but also about themselves, their peers, and the world at large.

Afterschool in Nature offers a sliding scale tuition and scholarships to make this program accessible for all families. We facilitate transportation from local schools in Orange and Washington Counties for those in need. Our program is licensed by the Vermont Department of Children and Families. Our outdoor educators support youth with decades of nature education experience and trauma-informed training.

Sage Mountain is seeking qualified candidates for application to the position of Youth Program Facilitator.

Job Summary

The Youth Program Facilitator position is an assistant leadership role, working closely with the Executive Director, the Director of Youth Education, and other program and organizational staff. The position requires availability for approximately 35 hours per week, with a starting hourly rate of pay based upon experience, except for program closures due to school holidays. The Facilitator must be generally available Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm until 7:00 pm, with additional schedule and availability fluctuations scheduled in advance for early release and inservice days.

In this role, you will be one of the guiding voices for Sage Mountain's afterschool education program. This role will engage with youth directly and will be responsible for advising and adhering to all safety protocols while providing mentorship and support to our students and program overall. Your work will involve assisting in the implementation of our nature-based curriculum, literacy in social-emotional learning objectives, direct supervision and engagement with youth, and maintenance of safety, supplies, and facilities. There is an opportunity for this to grow into a full time position for the right candidate.

Location

This position will be fully in-person with access to Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary's office, kitchen and trails.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities may change based on adaptations and needs of the program.

Education Leadership

• Oversee and mentor enrolled youth under the guidance of Director of Youth Education
• Maintain high-quality nature mentoring programs
• Collaborate with all staff regarding ongoing professional development opportunities including relationship to land, equity, and inclusion, trauma informed practices, accessibility, personal growth and development and more
• Activity and curriculum co-planning supported by Director of Youth Education

Program Administration

• Implement DCF and Sage Mountain safety and health guidelines for all programming
• Collaborate and communicate with staff to facilitate program registration
• Respond to all communication (phone, text, email, etc) in a timely and thorough manner
• Assist in preparing and cleaning facilities before and after programming
• As needed, research and advise on materials and equipment needed in a timely manner

Outreach

• Participate in outreach for programs including program recruitment efforts
• Collaborate with Sage Mountain staff on clear and consistent language when representing the program in community engagement activities
• Maintain excellent communication with Sage Mountain's constituents including families, schools, businesses, and the community

Required Qualifications

• A passion for nature, community, teaching and education
• Two years of demonstrated experience in the field of nature education, youth mentorship, or related areas
• An enthusiastic team member whose values align with Sage Mountain's vision and prioritize according to the best interest for everyone and the program overall
• Experience with facilitation, supporting youth and fellow staff, and shared leadership structures
• Outstanding interpersonal communications skills and partnership building abilities
• A willingness to learn, commit to, and practice the principles of justice, accessibility, and inclusiveness as it pertains to the populations that Sage Mountain serves
• The ability to be empathic and a willingness to integrate these above practices into your work at Sage Mountain
• Openness to self-reflection and feedback
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and be self-motivated and organized
• Exhibit care, attention to detail, and efficiency in routine tasks to maintain the cleanliness and safety of the facility
• Creativity, innovation, sense of humor, flexibility and team spirit
• Experience and comfort communicating with diverse groups of people, including supporters, coworkers, parents, community members and collaborators
• Comfort using a range of technological applications (Zoom, Google Suite, Airtable) and willingness to learn and execute administrative tasks
• Physical ability to prepare and maintain outdoor facilities in all seasons
• Program implementation skills and teaching experience, as well as ability to learn further on and off job
• Background check will be required
• Regular access to reliable transportation, and valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications

• Some understanding of and further willingness to learn via training in decolonization, equity, trauma-informed, and social justice approaches to learning
• Previous association with nature-based and/or youth-based education programs and/or organizations
• Bachelor's Degree OR demonstrated equivalent life experience in related field (education, nature- or wilderness-based learning or therapy, etc.)

Physical Requirements

• Willingness and ability to spend significant time outdoors in all weather conditions, leading and supporting field staff, interacting with youth and families
• Willingness and ability to spend significant time in an office setting to collaborate with leadership team and carry out administrative job responsibilities
• Occasional off-site travel as needed for program delivery and special events
• Willing to be regularly exposed to fire, smoke, water, and outdoor risks, which may include exposure to extreme temperatures, weather, ticks and other hazards

Hours and Details

Initial position period will begin upon hire with a training period and end June 12, 2026, following the public school calendar. The position will be renewed for Summer Camp and additional semesters of Afterschool pending available funding. The position requires availability for approximately 35 hours per week, except for program closures due to school holidays. The Afterschool Facilitator must be generally available Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm until 7:00 pm, with additional schedule and availability fluctuations scheduled in advance for early release and inservice days. Starting hourly rate of pay is $20, adjusted based upon experience. Paid professional development and training is offered.

Job Type: Contract

Pay: From $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35 per week

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• East Barre, VT Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• East Barre, VT 05649: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person