Headwaters Youth Education Program Director

Description

ABOUT TROUT UNLIMITED AND THE HEADWATERS YOUTH PROGRAM 

Trout Unlimited brings together diverse interests to care for and recover the rivers and streams on which we all depend. It is a national organization with 350,000 members and supporters organized into over 400 chapters and councils nationwide. These dedicated grassroots volunteers are matched by a respected staff of 327 who work in advocacy, restoration, policy, education, communications, fundraising and other TU programs supporting watershed conservation across the country. 

The Headwaters Youth Education Program serves as the nexus for all youth outreach at TU. Through the work of TU's local chapters, state councils and staff, TU engages over 90,000 young people (K through college) each year with our suite of programs we call TU's STREAM of Engagement. The program blends STEAM-based lessons in watershed health and trout education with Recreation, i.e. fly fishing instruction. We foster hands-on and experiential learning, turning students into stewards, nurturing a profound bond between young minds and the natural world, and cultivating the next generation of Coldwater conservationists.  

POSITION SUMMARY 

TU seeks to hire a self-motivated, dynamic and experienced leader to serve as our Headwaters Youth Education Program Director who will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our Headwaters program and influencing the landscape of Youth Education in the realm of environmental conservation.  

The Director will join a Volunteer Operations team of nine TU staff located across the country, and will have three direct reports, also remote, and will work directly for the Vice President of Volunteer Operations. 

The Director is responsible for overseeing and growing a multi-faceted program that delivers a wide range of member and volunteer-based programs, grassroots support tools and resources designed to help TU staff and volunteers engage more youth, more effectively, so that TU's conservation legacy endures. 

The Director is an entrepreneurial leader who engages in complex program development, fundraising, and project management to both build capacity in TU's chapter network and to successfully operate several in-person leadership and educational opportunities for young people. The position requires an individual who is self-motivated, well organized, action oriented, collaborative, and capable of working well with a team having diverse backgrounds and personalities. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Youth Education strategy, aligning with organizational goals and industry best practices, to enhance the quality and effectiveness of TU's STREAM of Engagement programs, particularly for diverse or underserved youth populations. 
• Lead and inspire a team of three direct reports, dozens of other TU staff engaged in Youth Education, tens of thousands of TU volunteers, teachers, educators, and others fostering a collaborative and innovative culture to the Headwaters Youth Education Program. Provide guidance, mentorship and professional development opportunities to ensure continuous growth and excellence in program delivery. 
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with partners and stakeholders (e.g. Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, 4-H) to enhance the impact of TU's STREAM of Engagement. Collaborate with external partners to develop joint programs and initiatives that address the unique needs of underserved communities. 
• Oversee the development and evaluation of educational curricula (e.g. Trout in the Classroom, Adopt-A-Trout, STREAM Girls) ensuring alignment with educational standards, emerging trends and the diverse learning needs of youth. Regularly assess program effectiveness and make data-driven adjustments to enhance overall impact.  
• Provide the vision and direction for TU's Youth Education memberships and membership oriented benefits and materials (e.g. Stream Explorers Magazine, TU Teen materials, etc...) 
• Lead in the strategic oversight of compliance matters within the Headwaters program, including vigilance on background checks, photo releases, TU's sexual abuse policy, and other liability concerns.  
• Spearhead the fiscal stewardship of the Youth Education department by developing budgets, proactively monitoring expenditures, and optimizing resource allocation. Propel the program's growth through seeking and securing funding opportunities via grants, sponsorships and partnerships with TU's Development Department staff.  
• Support and steward the Headwaters Board, ensuring vision alignment, effective engagement with Board members and a strong partnership between staff and Board for the advancement of shared objectives. Enrich the board's understanding of the broader impact and potential of our programs. 
• Oversee the management of multiple program websites, forums, social pages and listservs. Utilize these platforms to foster community engagement, innovation, and knowledge-sharing, ensuring our online presence reflects the cutting edge of Youth Education in the conservation sector. 
• Grow the footprint of impactful volunteer-run Youth Education Programs by providing comprehensive resources, materials, training and backend support functions to ensure their success. 
• Collaborate closely with TU's National Leadership Council's Youth Education Workgroup, setting the direction, planning calls and coordinating outreach efforts to TU chapters and councils.  

This is not an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities.  

Requirements

• Master's degree preferred or equivalent (7+ years) experience in environmental education and nonprofit management. 
• Ability to lead and inspire, comfortable with public speaking and meeting facilitation. 
• Demonstrated experience in program development, showcasing an ability to think creatively and strategically to achieve program growth and development. 
• Proven record in fundraising. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Experience engaging local knowledge to shape projects and work respectfully in partnership with local leaders and rural and underserved communities. 
• Experience managing logistics for field-based experiential learning programs.  
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail, self-motivation and the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously. 
• Experience developing and managing large budgets, accurately forecasting costs and revenue and utilizing metrics to drive performance and manage staff. 
• Demonstrated ability to work comfortably in remote field settings, including travel in remote places. 
• A sense of humor, willingness to adapt and seek solutions to challenges. 
• A strong conservation ethic and commitment to TU's mission, with an interest in fly fishing as a strong plus. 
• Experience in database management as a plus. 

HOW TO APPLY 

If you are interested in applying please complete the full application and include a cover letter with your resume. We will begin reviewing applications on Feb. 7. The position is open until filled.  

Staff and leadership at TU understand that life outside of work is important to personal health, and we strive to create a healthy and flexible work atmosphere. This is a full-time position with a generous benefits package.? This position requires travel and is a remote position, with the opportunity to work from one of TU's many field offices or the national office in Arlington, Virginia.   

Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. Compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, an individual's qualifications, location where the role is to be performed, internal equity, and alignment with market data. 

We value a diverse representation of staff, and we actively seek candidates for this position who come from communities that have been historically under-represented in conservation. We are committed to building space for all people to participate in our work and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome you to read more about TU's equity practice and values.