Staff - Community Program Coordinator - Northwest Indiana

Conservation Begins Here

Community Program Coordinator (Northwest Indiana)

Position Summary

The Student Conservation Association provides an array of programs for young people across the country in order to build the next generation of conservation leaders. The Community Program Coordinator will work in support of team-based Community Programs in the greater Northwest Indiana. These programs are geared towards high school students, young adults (18+), and adult leaders (21+) with a focus on urban forestry and arboriculture.

The Program Coordinator will ensure that these teams run smoothly and are supported by taking on a variety of administrative and logistical tasks necessary for executing programs. This person helps ensure that leaders and members are equipped for the program work scheduled, safety procedures, logistical service/program delivery needs, and mandatory internal record-keeping and administrative requirements.The Program Coordinator will support all urban forestry and arboriculture work within the metro region,including tree planting, tree care and maintenance, community events, and inventory work.

The Program Coordinator will be responsible for helping model, facilitate, and build an inclusive Community Program. This position reports to the Community Program Manager for Northwest Indiana. This position will primarily be remote (either working from home or field-based), with some overnight travel required. This is a full-time, salaried position with a salary range of $48 - 54k annually, with a planned start date of no later than April 29, 2024.

Roles and Responsibilities

• External Engagement:
  • Represent the Northwest IndianaCommunity Program at SCA and other events.
  • Assist SCA's Philanthropy and Partnership staff to build relationships with local community-based organizations and land management partners.
  • Work, in collaboration with SCA's Advancement/Events team and SCA's Alumni Director to engage the community and alumni in creative ways.

• Recruiting & Onboarding:
  • Assist with orientation and training of leaders to prepare them for their position.
  • Provide leaders and members with necessary supplies and other logistical support.
  • Provide leaders and members with necessary tool knowledge to complete work projects.
  • Responsible for assisting HR as requested with the in-person onboarding requirements of leaders and members.
  • Assist with the recruitment and enrollment of leaders and members which may include attending events outside normal work hours.
  • Lead the interviewing and selection of members and leaders.

• Program Planning & Delivery:
  • Help manage leaders to complete project delivery, ensuring compliance with administrative and curriculum checklists, and relevant best practices.
  • Prior to program start, plan and organize project logistics prior to program start with agency partners
  • Work with the Community Program Manager for Northwest Indiana to review execution plan and ensure necessary preparations and monitoring plans are completed.
  • Assist SCA's Training Department with member and leader training.
  • Assist in identifying and coordinating with local training providers, especially focused on urban forestry and arboriculture.
  • Support management of the SCA NW Indiana tool cache:
    • Assist with management of tool inventory, storage, and maintenance.
    • Provide support to leaders and members to ensure tools and equipment are in safe working order.
  • Responsible for modeling, facilitating, and building an inclusive community:
    • Lead programs in alignment with SCA Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) policies and SCA Core Values.
    • Participation in JEDI trainings and professional development opportunities.
    • Help recruit, hire, and train crew leaders and members of diverse backgrounds.

• Program Improvements:
  • Share on-the-ground learnings with Community Program Manager and project partners
  • Assist with program reporting and evaluation of program execution
  • Assist with program support of new Urban Green programs

• Internal SCA Engagement:
  • Liaise with HR to ensure member recruiting and onboarding processes are complete.
  • Responsible for keeping abreast of internal policies and procedures, such as weekly time-keeping logs, narrative reporting for funders, and other SCA mandates and ensuring leader timely and accurate compliance.

• Alumni Engagement:
  • Build and maintain relationships with Community Program alumni as directed.
  • Support SCA's efforts as requested in connecting Community program alumni to member continuum as directed.
  • Support SCA Events Team and Advancement at events and projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Project management experience in a collaborative environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills when working with various external and internal partners.
• Experience working with youth from racially and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds.
• Enjoy working with young people in a fluid, dynamic organization.
• Demonstrated proactive approaches to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability.
• High level of emotional maturity.
• Experience deescalating emotionally charged situations and discussing available options.
• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently.
• Proven ability to multi-task and troubleshoot in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, be adaptable to various competing demands, and demonstrate the highest level of customer/client service and response.
• Experience working in conservation and strong technical outdoor skills (experience as a former SCA Crew Leader is a plus).
• Experience with urban forestry and arboriculture.
• Experience with conservation work skills or related skills preferred – e.g., chainsaw, trail maintenance and construction, habitat restoration, carpentry, landscaping, gardening and the use of power hand tools is a plus.
• Experience developing curriculum or activities for high school and young adult audiences is a plus.
• Experience managing a budget is a plus.

Education and Experience

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred, OR 2-5 years of experience working in a related field with supervisory responsibility.
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, Google products, Volunteer/Customer Relationship Management software, or willingness to learn new software.
• Able and willing to obtain a Wilderness First Aid (or equivalent 16-hour First Aid course) and Adult CPR certification during the first 1-2 weeks of starting. Current and unexpired Wilderness First Aid and Adult CPR certifications from accredited organizations are welcomed.
• Local candidates already living in and familiar with the metro area preferred.

Travel Requirements

• Must possess a valid driver's license for 3 or more years and have a motor vehicle record that meets SCA standards.
• Excellent driving record and ability to drive in a variety of conditions including city driving and/or use of four-wheel drive.
• The ability to travel for extended periods of time outside and over a variety of terrain.
• Some weekend and overnight travel will be required.