Environmental Leadership Programs Manager

Position: Environmental Leadership Programs Manager

Category: Full-time, exempt

Reports to: Senior Director of Programs (SDOP)

About Futures Ignite:

Founded in 2012 by the Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS), Futures Ignite (FI) has 13 years of experience empowering NYC high school students. FI’s mission is to amplify youth and community power by inspiring and supporting students in shaping their futures in college, careers, and leadership. FI provides leadership development, college/career counseling, and alumni support for students from Washington Heights and the Bronx. Since 2020, over 800 young people have been trained as leaders in using STEM research and data to advocate for environmental justice in their communities. With over 2,000 students and alumni benefiting from college and career access programs, FI has achieved impressive results. The organization is expanding, with a second school site launched in SY24-25 and plans for a third school site by 2026-2027, poised for exponential growth and impact.

About the Role:

The Environmental Leadership Programs Manager (ELPM) is a key member of Futures Ignite, overseeing the organization’s expanding STEM Environmental Leadership programs. The ELPM works closely with senior leadership and program staff to develop, implement, and evaluate program components aligned with FI’s vision of providing youth with opportunities that foster STEM-focused environmental leadership, helping them build strong portfolios for college and career access.

The ELPM will manage key initiatives, including STEM leadership development programs in partnership with schools during and after school hours. They will also codify the Corridor Citizen Science curriculum, tools, and materials to expand the Citizen Science Lab program connected to the Clean Air Green Corridor (CAGC) initiative. In addition, the ELPM will play a vital role in expanding the Citizen Science Lab, training students in peer leadership, conducting hands-on research, and implementing community improvements based on their findings. The role also involves supervising staff, leading programming, training and supporting 100 student leaders to engage 1,500 peers in the community, and cultivating key partnerships for the organization.

Environmental Leadership Programs Manager Key Responsibilities:

Futures Ignite Leadership Programs Development & Management (50%)

• Create a scalable STEM environmental leadership pathway across partner schools, to train students in citizen science, peer leadership, and community-based research, fostering ongoing hands-on learning and boosting college and career readiness
• Manage and implement FI STEM environmental leadership programs at two partner schools, including recruitment, program development, evaluation, data collection, and reporting
• Foster innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to STEM leadership by integrating environmental science, social justice, and civic engagement into program design
• Develop recruitment strategies to engage young people in FI programs and engage local community organizations in opportunities to strengthen programming

Program Administration (30%)

• Manage program staff, oversee budgets, and communications: including site staffing schedules, monthly newsletter communication, compliance with safety protocols, troubleshooting student issues, and serving as a key relationship builder with school stakeholders to effectively integrate programming in school/afterschool programming
• Supervise Leadership Programs Coordinator staff members, including providing hands-on supervision and coaching, onboarding/training, support, and evaluation
• Use 'Enroll,' our online outcomes data platform, to track key performance indicators (KPIs) for STEM leadership, including participation rates, skill development, and postsecondary outcomes in college, postsecondary programs, and STEM fields
• Lead planning for annual events/trips geared towards supporting experiential learning and exploratory opportunities and other opportunities to expose students to diverse careers

External Relations, Strategic Partnerships, and Collaboration (20%)

• Manage and build partnerships with FI environmental, STEM Partners, and community and school stakeholders–serving as a key liaison to enhance program offerings and provide students with mentorship and career exposure by creating and scaling STEM-focused leadership pathways
• Spearhead community initiatives, collaboration with elected officials, and several key organizational partnerships and networks to deepen youth leadership and EJ/community building
• Serve as key storyteller and ambassador for FI’s innovative Environmental STEM leadership, including utilizing program impact data to represent FI at local events, partnership with elected officials, community gatherings, training, etc.
• Collaborate with the Development team to demonstrate impact to stakeholders and funders, provide input on proposals and funding opportunities, and co-design and co-lead several community events

Qualifications

• Direct experience educating and/or, leading programming with adolescent populations, especially in high schools or with high school youth in community settings
• Master’s degree in Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, Social Work, Education, etc., or related fields and 3-5 years of relevant professional experience required
• Experience in STEM education, youth environmental science programs, or curriculum design related to STEM or environmental justice
• Experience creating and delivering STEM-centric professional development for youth, educators, and youth workers
• Excellent facilitation, consensus-building, and interpersonal skills
• Initiative, creativity, willingness to learn, and ability to manage multiple tasks independently
• Excellent communication, writing, organizational, and technology skills
• Familiarity with NGSS, GIS, data collection tools, or other STEM technologies and their application in youth programming is a plus
• Experience scaling or expanding programs is a plus
• Spanish as a second language is preferred

Benefits and Compensation

• Salary: $80,000 - $90,000
• Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Generous PTO, bonus days, and Quiet Summer Fridays
• Flex spending and 401(k) accounts
• This is a majority in-person position–to be based out of our school sites in Washington Heights and Kingsbridge.