Manager, Youth Programs

National Audubon Society•Seattle, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Programs Manager leads the development and execution of high-quality environmental education, youth leadership, mentoring, and conservation engagement programs at the Seward Park Audubon Center in Seattle. Programs connect high school students with environmental professionals and green career paths, encourage conservation advocacy and action, and nurture relationships with birds and the natural world. The manager develops innovative programs that support the Center’s educational work and align with Audubon Washington and network-wide strategies. Working closely with the Center Director and Public Programs Manager, the manager supports Elevation, the Center’s flagship Youth Leadership Development program, and develops multigenerational programming and pathways for participants to move from youth programs into lifelong engagement. The role includes designing and evaluating place-based K–12 programs, developing partnerships, supervising seasonal staff and volunteers, coordinating program logistics, managing budgets and records, and representing the Center in community settings. The position is based on-site at the Seward Park Audubon Center in South Seattle. The Center is located within 277 acres of old-growth forest and includes 2.5 miles of shoreline. It serves students, families, and teens from South Seattle schools and community organizations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental science, natural sciences, outdoor education, or a related field, and at least five years of experience designing, implementing, managing, and evaluating environmental, outdoor, youth development, or informal education programs for K–12 audiences; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
Demonstrated success developing programs from concept through implementation and evaluation, using data and measurable outcomes for continuous improvement and organizational goals.
Experience building and sustaining authentic partnerships with schools, community organizations, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Experience supervising, coaching, and developing staff, interns, volunteers, or youth leaders, including hiring, training, performance management, and professional development.
Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and facilitation skills, including public speaking and relationship-building, and the ability to collaborate across diverse perspectives and stakeholder groups.
Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, timelines, budgets, and operational responsibilities in a dynamic environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with web-based databases, registration platforms, CRM systems, or similar program management tools.
Commitment to inclusive, equitable, and youth-centered practices in program design, facilitation, and community engagement.
Valid driver’s license and ability and willingness to work weekends and occasional evenings and travel locally as program needs require.
Ability to obtain and maintain required certifications and training, including mandated reporter, CPR, and First Aid.
Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, and lift and carry up to 30 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

Nice To Haves

Experience with or knowledge of current trends and best practices in environmental education, nature centers, museums, parks, cultural institutions, or youth development organizations.
Direct experience working with youth, schools, families, and community-based organizations in South Seattle or similarly diverse urban communities.
Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of youth education, leadership development, and conservation engagement programs in collaboration with the Center Director.
Develop and manage a comprehensive youth engagement pathway, including the teen leadership program, internships, seasonal programs, and other educational experiences.
Design, deliver, and evaluate place-based environmental education programs for K–12 students that leverage Seward Park’s ecology and cultural significance and align with state and national educational standards.
Cultivate and maintain partnerships with schools, educators, youth-serving organizations, cultural institutions, government agencies, Tribal Nations, Indigenous-led organizations, and community partners.
Represent the Center and Audubon Washington through outreach, partnership development, coalition participation, professional networks, and public engagement.
Embed inclusive, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, youth-centered, and safety-focused practices in curriculum, program delivery, staff training, and participant engagement.
Hire, manage, train, and develop seasonal staff, interns, volunteers, and youth leaders.
Coordinate school and youth group participation, including scheduling, registration, transportation logistics, scholarships, and communication with educators, families, and partners.
Manage program and project budgets, resources, and operational logistics.
Develop communications, outreach, and promotional materials for newsletters, social media, websites, and other public-facing channels.
Maintain program evaluation, data collection, recordkeeping, and reporting systems, including participant engagement, learning outcomes, retention, volunteer records, incident reports, and organizational and partner reporting.
Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding.
Collaborate with Audubon colleagues and others across the Americas to plan and execute shared priorities.
Maintain and foster a culture of safety.
Support Center-wide operations, community programs, special events, and other organizational priorities as assigned.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.