Program Specialist, Youthtosea

**_Taking action for the ocean today, so we can all flourish tomorrow._**

Ocean Wise is the world-class ocean change maker for concerned collaborators; big and small who want practical solutions with real impact so that they feel empowered and take action to protect oceans, humanity, and the world we live in.

**ROLE OVERVIEW**
- The Youth to Sea Program Specialist is responsible for facilitating the delivery of effective educational youth programs to build the next generation of ocean advocates, providing ocean service experience opportunities, developing core job skills, and inspiring participants to take action for ocean conservation. The position works directly with youth (ages 15 to 18) by facilitating group coaching sessions, co-leading experiential education activities, and hosting skill-building workshops. The Youth to Sea Program Specialist assists in coordination of Youth to Sea activities including arranging logistics, liaising with vendors and community partners, and implementing risk management and emergency plans. Additionally, they facilitate youths’ participation in the online learning environment and guide youths through planning and implementing ocean service projects._

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES**:
**PROGRAM DELIVERY**
- Contributing to program delivery for 20 youth participants (ages 15 to 18) during their 10-month Youth to Sea service placement.
- Role modeling positive safety culture by adhering to and enforcing the organization’s health & safety policies, risk management plans, and code of conduct;
- Assisting with the design, development, evaluation, coordination and delivery of experiential education activities, service opportunities and outreach events;
- Coordinating monthly youth meetings, mentorship calls, and online-learning activities;
- Liaising with service providers, vendors and external partners;
- Identifying and coordinating collaboration opportunities between the Youth to Sea and Ocean Bridge programs;
- Collaborating with communications team to identify opportunities to feature youths’ achievements and ensure youths initiatives follow Ocean Wise brand guidelines;
- Acting as a link between program participants and the other Ocean Wise departments including the other Conservation Initiatives, and Business and Support services.

**MENTORING YOUTHS**:

- Providing youth ambassadors individualized coaching to set and achieve personal and professional skill development goals and ocean service goals;
- Guiding youths as individuals or in teams through the ideation, planning and delivery of ocean service projects ensuring alignment with the organization’s values, mission, and conservation initiatives.
- Facilitating group coaching sessions, and individualized coaching calls, and continual support as needed;
- Guiding youths in meaningful reflection activities to support their learning;
- Supporting the health and wellness of participants, being mindful of individual needs and arranging accommodations as necessary;
- Ensuring youth ambassadors achieve and log 120 personal service hours during program.

**QUALIFICATIONS**

***Education and Experience**
- Minimum of 2 years work experience in youth engagement, experiential education, volunteer management or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Experience teaching, supervising or mentoring youths aged 12 to 18 required; emphasis on experience working with youths from diverse socio-economic backgrounds;
- Standard First Aid or Wilderness First Aid certification required (may receive after employment);
- Experience in problem solving and resolving interpersonal issues;
- Knowledge of best practices in experiential and environmental education, social justice concepts, and ocean conservation issues and solutions;
- Experience leading overnight education programs or residential summer camp programs an asset.

**Technical Competencies**:

- Strong coaching, facilitation and group management skills and experience working with groups of all sizes;
- Bilingual (French and English) required for Montreal based positions and preferred for positions in other cities;
- Proficiency with online learning tools and Microsoft Office products;
- Respectful and youth-centered student management skills;
- Ability to work independently and to exercise initiative, working well under mínimal supervision;
- Must be creative, flexible, and enthusiastic.
- Active demonstration of the organization’s values and mission.

**WORKING CONDITIONS**
- Will involve evening, weekend, overnight and multiday overnight work both in and out of town;
- Involves physical activities including but not limited to kayaking, canoeing, hiking, ropes courses and shoreline cleanups;
- Job requires the ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time;
- Exposure to variable weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, wind, snow;
- Responsible for self, staff, and youth participant health and safety;
- Job requires the ability to sa