YMCA Earth Service Corps Program Instructor

Overview

Are you passionate about inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders? Translate your passion to action with YMCA Earth Service Corps (YESC). YESC is seeking to fill multiple AmeriCorps community service positions to start in September 2026.

Program Description: YMCA Earth Service Corps is leadership through environmental service. YESC envisions a world where all youth recognize their power and are integral and active environmental leaders in their communities. Program Instructors serving with YMCA Earth Service Corps will play a crucial role in delivering high quality positive youth development programming to teens in the Greater Seattle Area. YESC is a multi-faceted program that combines school-based environmental clubs, service-learning projects, outdoor opportunities, and regional environmental education events into a comprehensive model that minimizes barriers to participation and allows for engagement of diverse populations across socioeconomic, race, ethnic, gender & sexual identity, and geographic spectra.

Position Description: Each Program Instructor will mentor and develop youth leaders through the implementation of youth-directed school-based clubs that provide opportunities for environmental service and skill development which instill confidence, build character, and support youth in reaching their fullest potential. Program Instructors will foster strong relationships, empower youth to be effective leaders, and engage them in outdoor experiences and hands-on volunteerism that increases environmental knowledge, instills stewardship behaviors, and addresses the environmental issues facing the Puget Sound community.

Benefits:

• Training, experience and professional development, including and not limited to: facilitation, participant-centered youth development and mentorship, office and administrative skills, wilderness skills, Pacific Northwest ecology, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, First Aid & CPR, Y Mini-Bus Driver Training, and Teen Abuse Prevention Training
• Connections to Puget Sound and King County area environmental and educational organizations
• Strong and supportive service environment and community-minded staff team
• Living stipend of $2,438.10 per month provided by Washington Service Corps (before taxes)
• Student loan forbearance and interest accrual payment (on qualifying loans)
• $7,395 Education Award provided by National Service Trust (upon successful completion of service term)
• Serving in a full-time AmeriCorps position qualifies as "employment" towards the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
• Health Insurance (member only)
• Monthly Food Assistance (if qualified)
• Subsidized childcare provided by GAP Solutions Inc. (if qualified)
• Monthly ORCA Transit Pass or Mileage Reimbursement
• YMCA Membership
• Access to discounted gear and equipment through pro deals

Application: Interested individuals are encouraged to visit the AmeriCorps national posting to apply: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=80574. For more information about YMCA Earth Service Corps or the position, please contact us at yesc@seattleymca.org or 206-587-6116.

Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 21 years old and US Citizens. For more information on the AmeriCorps program, visit www.americorps.gov.

For more information about YESC's positions and other positions available through the YMCA's Camping and Outdoor Leadership Branch, visit www.campingandoutdoorleadership.org.

Responsibilities

Program Instructors will:

• Serve weekly with 5-6 middle or high school environmental service clubs over the course of

the school year by facilitating environmental and service experiences, mentoring youth,

fostering relationships, connecting with volunteer Club Advisors, and recruiting teen

participants.

• Mentor teens as the youth initiate, plan and implement environmental service-learning

projects in their schools, neighborhoods, and communities.

• Plan and facilitate regional environmental projects including habitat restoration; outdoor

opportunities including day hikes, snowshoeing, and kayaking; and educational field trips

that foster strong connections between youth and the natural world.

• Collaborate to plan four large-scale regional events including two 150+ person

environmental conferences and two overnight Eco-Retreats.

• Collaborate with staff, teen participants, and volunteers to enhance and improve

programming through the development of new curriculum, resources and community

partnerships.

• Maintain strong relationships with existing community partners and engage new community

partners to support and advance youth experience.

• Manage social media platforms, create content, and represent the YMCA brand to engage

YESC audiences and recruit youth participants to the program.

Program Instructors will be based at the Cascade People's Center in Seattle while spending time each day traveling to schools in neighboring cities and throughout the Puget Sound. This position will require willingness to engage in outdoor program activities such as habitat restoration, service projects, hikes, kayaking, snowshoeing, etc. in all weather conditions. Training is provided for these activities. Some evening and weekend hours are required. This position may require a vehicle.

Code of Conduct for Applicants

All employees and volunteers are responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries, completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements. Responsible for ensuring staff are properly screened, trained, supervised and held accountable to the organization's abuse risk management standards.

Qualifications

Driving Duties Requirement

This role transports clients as an "authorized driver" for the YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS) using an employer-provided vehicle. Driving duties for this role are Required. Driving roles are safety-sensitive. To become an authorized driver, you must be 21+, have possessed a driver's license for at least 3 years, and pass a drug screen that will test for impairing substances (including marijuana) in addition to meeting the driving record standards below:

YGS Driving Record Standards

Within the last three (3) years: No more than two (2) vehicle related suspension(s) and/or reinstatement(s). No more than two (2) moving violations and/or accidents. Moving violations include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Speeding
• Improper Lane Change
• Failure to Yield in Right-of-Way
• Failure to Obey Traffic Signal
• Failure to obey Traffic Sign

Within the last five (5) years: No Major Violations which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, BUI (Boating), Administrative Per Se, or Refusing to Test
• Driving with an open container of alcohol
• Reckless Driving
• Hit and Run - property damage only (Incidents resulting in injury fall under Permanent Disqualification)
• Racing
• Driving with a suspended/revoked license/insurance
• Speeding over 20 mph
• Fleeing and/or eluding police
• Any other felony driving conviction(s)

Driving records that result in permanent disqualification from driving duties:

• More than 3 DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, BUI, Administrative Per Se, or Refusing to Test for entirety of driving history.
• More than 3 Driving with a suspended/revoked license
• Hit and Run resulting in bodily injury or death
• Manslaughter/felony death by motor vehicle