About Northwest Earth Institute
We believe every person has the power to create positive action. Since 1993, NWEI has helped make change more possible, more social, and yes, more fun by helping people connect with their communities and take action, together. Through discussion courses and the EcoChallenge program, we give people a framework to talk about our relationship with the planet and to share in discovering new ways to live, work, create and consume. The result is a network of shared stories and support that makes it easy to make a positive impact in our world. In short, we become part of a community for change.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We are committed to inspiring people to connect with their communities and work towards a healthy, just, and sustainable future. We believe that a successful sustainability movement must reflect the true diverse landscape of our communities. In our work, we make a conscious effort to include all community members at the table as we collect and share stories of change. We are committed to the principles of equal opportunity and diversity and to attracting and supporting a staff and board who represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or mental or physical disability.
Team Culture
We practice sustainability in all that we do. As an organization, we use the principles of living systems to make decisions and develop strategies for greater impact. We seek to embody our change model of connecting, reflecting, and acting – internally and externally, personally and professionally. For our team, this means having an ongoing, deep commitment to listening and learning from each other and striving to create a workplace that inspires and nurtures each team member. We believe that what we create and offer to the world is a direct reflection of who we are and what we value. We live our values by providing a flexible family-friendly work environment, encouraging staff to recharge with annual personal retreats, offering a sabbatical for long-term employees, and revisiting our practices and policies regularly to ensure that we continue to evolve to meet our needs. Everyday, we bring to work a deep commitment to sustainability, and seek to discover change, together.
Purpose for this Position
Northwest Earth Institute is seeking an innovative program manager to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a knack for digital program engagement, at least 3 years of nonprofit experience, and a desire to work part-time. This position is a core role to NWEI’s program delivery, managing a program that has doubled in participation each of the past three years. This role is responsible for developing the EcoChallenge program, managing public and custom EcoChallenge events, and collaborating with the Director of Learning to carry out our change model of “Connect. Reflect. Act.” In 2016, the EcoChallenge program inspired nearly 13,000 participants in over 40 countries to take actions that benefit their communities and the planet. EcoChallenge events foster multi-sector participation from businesses, schools, and communities. It helps participants reduce their impact on the planet and contribute to a healthy, vibrant, and sustainable future — while engaging your community and having fun in the process. EcoChallenge has been changing the habits and lives of participants across the world since 2010. Last year, we reimagined the EcoChallenge platform, and now have an opportunity to scale our impact in a big way. Learn more about the program at ecochallenge.org.
Duties and Responsibilities
Program Development (20%) • Manage the development and maintenance of the EcoChallenge platform and all public and custom events associated with the program • Develop new ways to engage and inspire action with participants such as new actions, challenge categories, options to earn points, and feed features • Work with NWEI staff and participant / client feedback to continually enhance EcoChallenge online program • Work closely with third party developers to deliver platform updates and new features • Work closely with Executive Director and Director of Learning to support a strategic direction for EcoChallenge as it relates to NWEI mission, equity vision, and organizational growth • Provide online demos, webinars and conference presentations to potential networks and clients about EcoChallenge • Respond to requests for information via phone, mail, and email • Identify and engage with organizations and networks that are good candidates for public and custom EcoChallenges Public and Custom Event Management (60%) • Design, create, and manage all public events including the October EcoChallenge and Campus EcoChallenge • Create and manage all custom events, meeting the specific needs of each client • Establish goals for total participants, teams, and impacts • Resolve support tickets of participants • Support the engagement efforts of custom event coordinators and team captains • Engage with participants through the EcoChallenge feed • Help promote events with NWEI staff • Recruit and supervise all EcoChallenge support staff and interns as needed Learning Model Research (20%) • In collaboration with the Director of Learning, incorporate the best practices and principles of behavior change and transformative learning into NWEI's programs • Discover new ways to integrate Discussion Courses, EcoChallenge, and other NWEI programs • Work with the communications and engagement staff to promote NWEI’s learning model through various marketing vehicles
Skills Required
• Technically savvy, and ideally have experience with digital engagement and/or behavior change principles, particularly related to sustainability • Previous experience in community engagement and/or program management for nonprofits preferred • Culturally responsive and committed to equity • Natural networker, with strong interpersonal skills • Experience with task management systems (Asana preferred) • Strong knowledge of and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite • Very high attention to detail, including accuracy and efficiency • Excellent time-management skills, including ability to balance multiple and sometimes competing priorities • Ability to work calmly under pressure as a high-functioning team member • Applicant must have some working knowledge of ecological issues and a personal commitment to living sustainably
Additional Requirements
Ability to work 24 hours per week, minimum 3 days/week between the hours of 8am–5pm, with very occasional evening or weekend hours (2-3 times each year for special events); work will occur in an office environment with option for remote work as mutually agreed.
Compensation Annually: $24,960 FTE: 0.6 (24 hours/week)
Status: Exempt
Reports to: Executive Director
Benefits Health, Dental, Vacation, Sick Leave, IRA Contribution, Transportation Subsidy, Personal Retreat Time, and 5-Year Sabbaticals
Application Instructions Please send resume, cover letter, and three references with the subject line “[Your Name] – EcoChallenge Program Manager Application” to jobs@nwei.org. Due date for initial consideration is April 30, 2017. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.