WHO WE ARE

At City Kids Wilderness Project, our mission is to build resiliency, broaden horizons, cultivate community, and develop skills for success in DC youth. City Kids does this through a long-term, cohort-based model that utilizes both the wilderness and urban environment in and around Washington, D.C. and during the summer at our ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Youth enroll as sixth graders and continue their engagement with City Kids with the same cohort of youth through 12th grade and beyond. Our work is grounded in our Core Values and guided by our DEI statement of beliefs.

The JET (Job Experience Trainee) Program focuses on school year and summer programming for 10th through 12th grade participants– outdoor adventure trips, workshops, leadership and professional development training, community service opportunities, summer internships, and post high school planning support. Themes range from wilderness leadership and youth development, to professional development and career exploration. 

WHO YOU ARE

Experience & Knowledge

• Working with high school age youth
• Leading professional development and college preparation workshops 
• Working at a summer camp, in outdoor adventure, and/or in experiential education
• At least 2 years of professional experience in youth development programs

Skills

• Cultural competency, the ability to work across lines of difference. 
• Ability to self-regulate emotions and work safely with youth who may be agitated, emotionally and physically triggered, or reactive
• Understanding of behavior as a form of communication and ability to separate behavior from the individual
• Awareness of group dynamics and ability to set and hold group norms and expectations
• Adaptability and flexibility in an exciting and variable work environment
• Attention to detail and commitment to high quality work
• Strong risk management practices, including situational awareness, judgement, decision making, and emergency response
• Growth-oriented and human-centered approach to conflict with power and privilege in mind 

Behaviors

• Commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusion
• Personal commitment to and deep understanding of City Kids’ mission and values
• A warm and good-humored approach to working with others
• A youth-centered, fun, collaborative, and creative approach and spirit to the work

Certifications & Clearances

• Current CPR, Wilderness First Aid or higher certification required; Wilderness First Responder preferred
• Drivers License and clean driving record required
• Must be able to pass a comprehensive background clearance check which encompasses local, state and national criminal databases as well as the National Sex Offender Registry

WHAT YOU'LL DO

The JET Program Associate supports all JET Program implementation and is primarily responsible for leading and executing the City Kids post-high school planning programming. 

PROGRAMMING 

• College & Career Readiness | Implement, document, and evaluate City Kids curriculum for post-high school planning (ex. workshops, college fairs, office hours, community service) 
• Outdoor Adventure Programming | Support weekend, weeknight, overnight, and school break trips
• DC Summer Program Planning & Implementation | Implement SYEP for City Kids in DC for 6 weeks
• Wyoming Summer Program Planning & Implementation | Support Wyoming planning, attend staff training in Jackson, and chaperone youth flights

OUTREACH & OPERATIONS

• Youth and Family Outreach and Support | Communicate effectively and build relationships with youth and family in person and via phone, email, and text
• Community Partners | Foster strong relationships with existing partner organizations and connect students with community partners as needed
• Staff Leadership & Culture | Aid in recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising staff including trip leaders, volunteers, JETs, interns and summer staff; uphold the City Kids Core Values 
• Fundraising and Budget Support | Adhere to budgets for programs, paying attention to cost and negotiating discounts and donations where appropriate

For a more detailed job description and instructions for applying, click HERE.

Commitment: As a multi-year youth development program serving youth from 6th - 12th grade and beyond, staff stability and commitment make a critical difference in the success of the program. Work takes place in the greater DC area year round and may include travel to Jackson, Wyoming for multiple weeks in a residential camp setting over the summer. Due to the nature of out-of-school time programs, work schedules (both hours and days of week) may vary from week to week and include weekend and weeknight work. Further information on City Kids essential eligibility criteria can be found here. We ask all applicants to consider these aspects of the job when applying.

All other duties as assigned by the JET Program Manager or Program Directors. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or logical assignment to the position.