Experiential Learning Program Lead

ECHO•North Fort Myers, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

ECHO is a global Christian agricultural networking, training, and resourcing organization with a mission to strengthen the capacity of a diverse global network to defeat hunger and improve lives through sustainable food and agroecosystem strategies. With a network of over 20,000 individuals and organizations in more than 190 countries, ECHO partners serve as the primary multiplier for its tested options, strategies, and research. Joining ECHO means becoming part of a mission-driven, collaborative team committed to equipping leaders worldwide with practical tools for lasting impact. This role is ideal for someone passionate about faith-integrated service and sustainable solutions, offering a meaningful purpose in contributing to ECHO's global mission.

Requirements

Must adhere to the ECHO Statement of Faith and possess character traits consistent with ECHO's Core Values.
Strong commitment to developing emerging professionals and helping people connect their gifts, education, and vocational goals to meaningful service.
Demonstrated ability to recruit, engage, assess, and build relationships with college students, recent graduates, universities, churches, and professional networks.
Excellent public speaking, written communication, interpersonal, facilitation, and organizational skills.
Ability to manage multiple recruitment cycles, placements, schedules, relationships, and administrative details with consistency and good judgment.
Ability to collaborate across departments and influence program quality without directly supervising every placement host.
Cultural humility and the ability to work effectively with people from varied backgrounds, disciplines, generations, and life experiences.
Ability to handle sensitive personnel information with discretion and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
Working knowledge of applicant tracking, database, spreadsheet, presentation, communication, and virtual meeting tools.
Ability to work independently, establish priorities, and manage a developing program with a high degree of initiative, sound judgment, and follow-through.
Bachelor’s degree in human resources, education, organizational leadership, nonprofit management, communications, ministry, student development, or a related field required. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
Three or more years of experience in recruiting, experiential learning or student program management, career development, campus ministry, human resources, higher education, training, or a related field.
Experience designing and facilitating orientation, training, professional development, or cohort based learning experiences.
Experience building external partnerships and representing an organization at recruitment events or in public settings.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with working in a Christian ministry, nonprofit, international, cross-cultural, or mission-driven organization is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement an organization-wide Experiential Learning strategy, spanning internships, apprenticeships, and professional residencies, aligned with ECHO's mission, strategic framework, and workforce needs.
Build and manage a balanced portfolio of compensated and unpaid placements across departments, disciplines, educational levels, and seasons.
Establish annual goals and program standards, including timelines, policies, and supervisor expectations, for recruitment, placement, retention, completion, and program quality, based on the needs of ECHO's global network.
Work with Human Resources and organizational leaders to identify future talent needs and shape placements that create pathways to employment, service, or long-term partnership with ECHO.
Monitor program outcomes using participant and supervisor feedback, and recommend improvements to strengthen the program.
Research the skill and experience needs of ECHO's Regional Impact Centers, global network, and partner organizations, and use that research to lead a targeted recruitment strategy that attracts qualified, mission-aligned candidates from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, well beyond agriculture alone.
Represent ECHO at universities, colleges, seminaries, career fairs, conferences, churches, and mission networks, and build lasting relationships with faculty, career services offices, campus ministries, alumni, and partner organizations that connect strong candidates to ECHO.
Create compelling recruitment materials, presentations, digital content, and outreach campaigns in collaboration with Communications and Advancement.
Maintain a recruitment calendar and candidate pipeline for year-round, summer, semester, and specialized placements.
Coordinate the application, screening, interview, reference-checking, selection, and placement process in partnership with Human Resources and department supervisors, assessing each candidate for mission alignment, character, skills, learning goals, and fit.
Develop accurate placement descriptions with department leaders, including responsibilities, learning outcomes, supervision plans, schedules, and compensation or benefit information.
Match Learners with departments where their skills can contribute meaningfully while supporting clear professional growth.
Coordinate with Human Resources to ensure all placements, compensated and unpaid alike, comply with applicable employment laws, academic requirements, organizational policies, and documentation standards.
Design and facilitate a consistent onboarding experience that introduces Learners to ECHO's mission, history, global network, Statement of Faith, core values, workplace expectations, safety practices, and organizational culture.
Develop a professional development curriculum covering areas such as leadership, cross-cultural engagement, project management, vocational discernment, spiritual formation, and career preparation.
Coordinate regular gatherings, learning sessions, site experiences, and opportunities for Learners to engage with ECHO leaders and network members, present their work, and reflect on lessons learned.
Help Learners connect their departmental assignments to ECHO's global mission and understand how different functions contribute to defeating hunger and improving lives.
Prepare and support staff supervisors to provide meaningful assignments, clear expectations, regular coaching, appropriate accountability, and a healthy learning environment.
Conduct regular check-ins with Learners and supervisors to address concerns, clarify expectations, and support successful placements.
Partner with Human Resources to respond appropriately to performance, conduct, safety, housing, or interpersonal concerns.
Develop evaluation tools for Learners and supervisors and use feedback to improve recruitment, orientation, training, supervision, and program design.
Maintain accurate records related to applications, placements, agreements, evaluations, academic credit, compensation, and program outcomes.
Cultivate a welcoming, Christ-centered work environment in which participants are known, supported, challenged, and connected to ECHO staff and one another.
Coordinate with appropriate ECHO departments (including virtual) and site leadership to ensure Learners receive clear information and appropriate support regarding housing, transportation, meals, schedules, events, and other practical needs associated with program participation.
Track program alumni and help ECHO understand the long-term impact of the Experiential Learning Program on participants, the organization, and the global network.
Collaborate with leaders across all ECHO departments and Regional Impact Centers to identify meaningful projects and learning opportunities for Learners.
Coordinate with Advancement and Communications to share appropriate Learner stories and demonstrate the program's impact to donors, partners, universities, and prospective applicants.
Build and sustain ECHO's network, connecting current and former Learners to one another and to ongoing learning opportunities.
Contribute to annual budget planning, program reporting, and resource development for the program.
Stay informed about trends and good practices in professional development, early-career development, experiential learning, and nonprofit talent development.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Human Resources.