Program Assistant
Wayfinders Program
POSITION DETAILS
Salary Range: $44,000 - 49,000 a year
Hours: Full Time - 40 hours per week
Expected Start Date: December 1, 2021
Reports to: Wayfinders Program Director
Created in 2015 by Women of Color, ELSO, Inc. provides culturally relevant education and leadership development opportunities that invite Youth of Color to Experience Life Science Outdoors (ELSO). Our mission is to teach and frame science and nature-based education through a lens that centers and elevates the stories, ways of knowing, individual needs, and lived experiences of Black and Brown communities. ELSO seeks to reduce the achievement gap in STEAMED (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, Environment, Design) education and professions while creating a sense of belonging for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPoC) in the natural and built environments.
ELSO uses a multi-cultural approach to STEAMED education that is rooted in environmental justice and cultural history. We are demonstrating a model for STEAMED education led by People of Color.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Wayfinders Summer Program is a nature based summer day camp that focuses on STEAM outdoor education for Black and Brown youth K-8th grade. The Wayfinders Program Assistant job role is to assist the Program Director with creating the Wayfinders Summer Experience such as supporting programming and curriculum development, camp logistics/operation, training and Tappin Roots.
Tappin Roots is a Black Oregonian collaborative year long paid internship for high school/college aged youth (15-25). Tappin Roots offers weekend symposiums teaching topics on professional development and the green sector. Tappin Roots Internship and Wayfinders Summer Program are connected. Selected Youth from the internship work as camp guides in the summer. The Wayfinders Program Assistant will support the PD with planning and attending weekend symposiums.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Wayfinder Programming Development and Curriculum - 35%
Work with the Wayfinders 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
● Create the Wayfinders Virtual Experience for spring break/summer camp
Tappin Roots Internship- 15%
Serve as an Wayfinders Support Staff Member for Tappin Roots Internship
● Assist with symposium development/trainings for Interns
● Attend bi - weekend 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 (van drivers, chef and camp guides)
ELSO, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to developing an organization that is reflective of the diverse communities we
serve. ELSO, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, class creed, gender, gender expression, religion, sex, nationality, or ability.
126 NE Alberta St. Suite 205
Portland, OR 97211
info@campelso.org
● Work collaboratively with PD with conducting site visits and partner check ins
● Assist with communication with camp families and serve as a point of contact for families/camp guides
● Ensure safety of all camp participants and guides by assisting with COVID 19 protocols and camp safety
● Facilitate staff meetings, morning huddles, and check-ins during camp season.
● Create and facilitate post camp surveys to Wayfinders families
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 of camp staff by working with the PD to conduct interviews
● Assist with Training of camp staff with the PD to conduct a week and half long in person training. Provide
support with trainings such as implicit bias, child development, trauma informed care and CPR
Teamwork
It is the responsibility of ALL ELSO staff to:
● Work towards the mission of ELSO while supporting and demonstrating the values and frame of view.
● Incorporate the beliefs and definitions of ELSO in all approaches and instruction.
● Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional
publications, establishing personal networks, participating in professional societies, etc.
● Support maintenance of ELSO branding, supplies, office space, and administrative systems by understanding
and following policies, processes, and procedures for supply organization, file storage and naming
conventions, branding guidelines, communications logs, departmental budgets, purchase and reimbursement
requests, etc.
● Be friendly, accessible, and responsive to the public in all aspects of job duties, including communicating
professionally and knowledgeably about ELSO Inc.’s mission, fundraising efforts, and programming.
● Commit to following ELSO, Inc.’s approach to problem-solving both internally as well as with partners,
contractors, volunteers, program participants, funders, donors, and the general public.
● Other duties as assigned
Relationships
● Wayfinders Program Director - work alongside the PD and provide support with curriculum and program
development, camp logistics and trainings
● Camp Staff - Work closely with Wayfinders Summer Staff (van drivers, chef and camp guides) to provide
support during the summer and training.
● Tappin Roots Interns - Work closely with Tappin Roots Interns over the course of their year long internship to
provide support when needed.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
● 21+ High School Graduate, or GED complete, can be current college, with STEAM Outdoor experience
● Must be able to pass a background check as required by the Oregon Department of Education for positions
that work directly with youth (Oregon State Department of Education Disqualifying Crimes 342.143) and
have clean driving record for 1 year prior to application
● Proficiency with, or willingness to learn, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat, Google applications such as gmail, drive, docs,
sheets, slides, forms, etc.
ELSO, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to developing an organization that is reflective of the diverse communities we
serve. ELSO, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, class creed, gender, gender expression, religion, sex, nationality, or ability.
126 NE Alberta St. Suite 205
Portland, OR 97211
info@campelso.org
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
● 3+ years of Outdoor Education Experience or Educational Experience
● Experience working with children K - 8th grade
● Experience working with BIPOC youth/families/communities
● Great communication and public speaking skills
BENEFITS
● Flexible schedule
● Health Insurance
● Life Insurance
● Vision Insurance
● Dental Insurance
● Sick, Vacation, Holiday and PTO Days
● Phone and Internet Stipend
● Mileage coverage
ELSO will supply all office essentials (computer, mouse, keyboard, printer, pens, paper, etc.) to staff working from a
home office as well as subscriptions to required software.
TO APPLY:
Send a resume and communication of interest (cover letter, email, and videos are all accepted) to Jamie Newsome at
jamie@campelso.org. In the cover letter please describe your background in program leadership, nonprofit
management, informal and/or formal education and experience working within communities of color and/or
marginalized communities. Only applicants that address these areas will be accepted for consideration. Applications
are open until filled.
General questions about ELSO, Inc. or the particulars of this position can be directed to info@campelso.org