Position Description 

Program Description: Ingenuity Year is a gap year program developed by the Forman School. Our programming has beendeveloped for students with learning differences (dyslexia, dysgraphia, etc.) and ADHD and seeks to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in a post-secondary environment, whether that is college or career. We do this by engaging with real challenges facing real communities.

Position Summary: Program leaders are mentors, coaches, and role models. They provide support for students, explore and expand comfort zones, manage risk, advocate for optimal student health, and support logistics from transportation to budgets. They are ambassadors to local contacts and represent our community. They bring heart, soul, and grit to a job thatis challenging, rewarding, and multi-faceted.

We are seeking experienced candidates who are comfortable working in a changing and fluid environment and who are interested in making their mark on a new program.

Timeframes

Summer 2024 Program – Asheville, NC

June 24-26^: Staff Training

June 28 – August 2: Program

August 2- 4: Program wrap-up and debrief

Fall 2024 Program – Portland, ME

August 25-31: Staff training September 1 - November 10:Program

November 11-12: Program wrap-up and debrief

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitate a safe learning environment for a group of up to 15 students, aged 17-21
• Deliver a basic curriculum on climate change designed by Forman school teachers and Maine partners
• Deliver a basic curriculum on culinary skills designed by Forman school teachers
• Coordinate with vendors and partner organizations to deliver and execute all program components
• Assist students with selecting and working toward capstone projects
• Cook meals, when required, for the group
• Assist students with cooking meals, when required
• Be available to students throughout the program, with little downtime and little privacy
• Help facilitate 4-5 day wilderness canoe, kayak, and/or camping experiences
• Drive students in a 15-passenger van

Job Skills and Requirements 

The ideal candidate needs to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, technical skills, and leadership skills. There are many hats — both collective and individual — that must be worn by the program leaders.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrate experience leading groups and/or working with young adults
• Demonstrate a dedication to the field of teaching and the ability to educate the whole student
• Demonstrate an understanding of risk management and competency in navigating challenging environments.
• Demonstrate the capability to instruct a safe, educational, dynamic, and engaging course for students with a diversity of identities and perspectives.
• Demonstrate the resilience, grit, and self-awareness needed to travel with and facilitate learning for groups for 10 weeks at a time
• Valid Wilderness First Aid certification (or above)
• Valid US State driver's license

Desired Skills:

While we don’t expect that every applicant will meet all of the below criteria, some combination of the below skills are desired.

• Yoga certification and/or mindfulness training
• Familiarity or experience working with students with Learning Differences
• Background in leadership, college readiness and/or scientific education
• Extensive experience with any of the following:
  • Fishing industry
  • Lobstering industry
  • Culinary industry / Chef experience
  • Environmental / outdoor education
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking / Sea Kayaking
  • Photography / Videography
• Possess a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) certification

Salary and Benefits

Salary Range: $4,500 - $8,000, depending on experience ($450 - $800 per week)

• All of your transportation is covered before and after the program
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance provided