Gap Year Program Leader

Position Description

Program Description: Ingenuity Year is a gap year program developed by the Forman School.  Our programming has been developed 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 that is challenging, rewarding, and multi-faceted.

As this is the first-ever program by Ingenuity Year, there will inevitably be bumps in the road.  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

Fall 2023 Program
August 25-31: Staff training
September 1 – November 10: Program
November 11-12:  Program wrap-up and debrief

Spring 2024 Program (approx)
March 10-14:  Staff training
March 15 – May 24:  Program
May 25-26:  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 towards 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 ability to educate the whole student
• Demonstrate an understanding of risk management and competency 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 drivers 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

• Regional experience and contacts in Maine.
• Familiarity or experience working with students with Learning Differences
• Background in science, agriculture, or marine biology
• 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)

Additional:

• Paid staff training
• All expenses are covered while on the program (accommodation, food, activities, transportation, etc)
• All of your transportation is covered before and after the program
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance provided