Program Assistant; Wayfinders

Position Details

Program Assistant — Way finders Program

Salary Range: $34,000 - $50,000 a year

Hours:

Full Time - 40 hours per week
Expected

Start Date:

February 10, 2025

Reports to:

Way finders Program Director

Way finders Summer Program is a nature‑based summer day camp focusing on STEAM outdoor education for Black and Brown youth K‑8th grade.

The Program Assistant assists the Program Director with creating the Way finders Summer Experience, including programming and curriculum development, camp logistics/operation, training, and the Tappin Roots Internship Program.

Tappin Roots is a Black/Brown Oregonian collaborative year‑long paid internship for high‑school aged youth (15‑19) offering weekend symposiums on professional development and the green sector. Selected youth work as camp guides in the summer. The Program Assistant supports the Program Director with planning and attending these symposiums.

• Programming Development and Curriculum – 35%
  • Work with the Program Director to develop summer/spring programming.
  • Assist with curriculum development including themes, learning outcomes, and activities.
  • Assist with the development of culturally relevant curriculum.
  • Work collaboratively with the Camp Educator to create the Way finders Camp Journal for spring break/summer camp.
  • Serve as a member on the Way finders Curriculum Team.
• Tappin Roots Internship – 15%
  • Serve as a Way finders Support Staff Member for Tappin Roots Internship.
  • Assist with symposium development/trainings for interns.
  • Attend bi‑weekly Saturday symposiums when needed.
  • Serve as a point of contact for interns and TR partners.
• Camp Planning, Logistics, Safety and Health – 35%
  • Support the Program Director with Camp Operations.
  • Offer daily support to camp staff.
  • Conduct site visits and partner check‑ins during camp season.
  • Assist with communication with camp families and serve as a point of contact for families/camp guides/partners.
  • Ensure safety of all camp participants and staff by assisting with camp safety protocols.
  • Facilitate staff meetings, morning huddles, and check‑ins during camp season.
  • Create and facilitate post‑camp surveys.
  • Supervise Way finders Summer Interns and Camp Chef.
• Recruiting, Hiring, Training – 15%
  • Assist with recruiting, hiring and training of camp staff.
  • Assist with recruiting by working closely with the PD and ELSOs Storytelling staff to conduct job fairs.
  • Assist with hiring by conducting interviews.
  • Assist with training of camp staff: implicit bias, child development, trauma‑informed care, and CPR.

• Work closely with the Program Director.
• Collaborate with camp staff and interns.
• Maintain professionalism and brand standards per ELSO policies.
• Support problem‑solving with partners, volunteers, participants, donors, and the public.

• 25+ years of age;
  High School Graduate or GED.
• Background check clearance as required by the Oregon Department of Education; clean driving record for one year prior to application.
• Proficiency with Zoom, Canva, and Google applications (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, etc.) or willingness to learn.
• Experience working with BIPOC youth/families/communities.

• 1+ year of outdoor education or educational experience.
• Experience working with children K‑8th grade.
• Multilingual (especially Arabic).
• Multicultural sensitivity.
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills.

$34,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Flexible work from home options available.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.