Climate Corps, Climate Action

Job Title: Program Lead, Vernon
Reports to: Director of Programs
Organization: Youth Climate Corps BC
Location: Vernon BC. Onsite and Office (home and/or provide office space) 

Position Status: 35 hr/weekly, contract April 7, 2025 to October 4, 2025
Wage: $29.99/hr plus 4% vacation pay
Closing Date for Applications: March 6, 2025

Overview: The Program Lead oversees the operations of the Youth Climate Corps BC program in Vernon, ensuring its smooth execution and alignment with organizational goals. This role includes program planning, partnership development, administrative responsibilities, as well as on-site, hands-on work alongside the Community Climate Action Mobilizers. The Program Lead supervises the Program Coordinator and up to four Mobilizer team members.

The Lead will work with the City of Vernon, surrounding communities, and local organizations to build a set of projects for the YCCBC Mobilizer team. Opportunities may include ecological restoration, fire-smarting, community engagement and outreach.

About Youth Climate Corps BC: Youth Climate Corps BC (YCCBC) empowers young people to take meaningful action against the climate crisis. Through paid work and hands-on training, YCCBC equips youth with the skills to implement climate action projects that directly benefit their communities. By reducing emissions, building resilience, and fostering adaptation, YCCBC ensures real impact at the local level.

YCCBC strengthens community capacity by developing a motivated, organized, and adaptable youth workforce to bring climate plans to life. Participants aged 17-30 collaborate for four to six months, gaining essential skills, scaling up climate initiatives, and growing their leadership and community networks.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Leadership, Supervision & Support:

• Facilitate youth leadership development and career skill-building opportunities.
• Provide mentorship, guidance, and performance reviews to the Program Coordinator and Mobilizers.
• Support team cohesion, celebrate successes, and manage team dynamics equitably.
• Serve as the escalation point for challenges raised by the Program Coordinator.

Program Planning & Operations:

• Collaborate with the Director of Programs, the City of Vernon, and local communities to design programming, coordinate logistics, and prepare training materials.
• Participate in the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of the Program Coordinator and Mobilizer team.
• Oversee day-to-day program operations, including project coordination, resource allocation, and risk management.
• Work alongside the Mobilizers to ensure project success and maintain a safe, inclusive work environment.

Community & Partnership Engagement:

• Develop and maintain relationships with community partners, local organizations, and Indigenous rights holders.
• Identify opportunities for meaningful climate action projects in collaboration with the City of Vernon and other stakeholders.
• Represent YCCBC in public engagements, outreach events, and media opportunities.

Administrative Duties:

• Allocate resources, manage budgets, and produce reports to track program outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with organizational and WorkSafeBC standards.
• Collaborate with the YCCBC Communications Team to highlight program activities on social media and other platforms.

Qualifications:

No ‘formal’ post-secondary education is required, as we recognize that ‘formal’ education at colleges and universities is just one version of many types of meaningful education.

• Personal values and commitment to climate action, social justice, anti-racism / anti-oppression, diversity, and inclusion, reconciliation and decolonization.
• Awareness of one's own lived experience of systemic barriers or privilege, and how that shapes your unique contribution to strategic social change.
• Knowledge of climate science, climate risks, and effective ways to take action in the community.
• Flexibility to work a variety of hours including some evenings and weekends to accommodate projects that may take place outside of regular business hours.
• The legal authority to work in Canada.
• A criminal record check may be required.
• Physical ability that allows for extended periods of standing, walking, moving supplies or equipment weighing up to 20 pounds, and tasks that involve bending or stooping.

Experience, skills, and attributes:

• Experience in program design and management, facilitation, and team leadership.
• Experience supervising a team.
• Experience working with organizations in the Vernon area is an asset.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with health and safety standards, including WorkSafeBC requirements.
• Experience working with diverse project partners.
• Experience in public communication, public speaking, presentations and environmental education.
• Experience working with youth, in a mentorship or leadership role.
• Financial management, administrative, and organizational skills, including budget tracking and preparing team schedules.
• Knowledge of and work experience in climate change, anti-oppression work, and related fields such as food security, energy, forestry, and climate justice.
• Confident with G-Suite (Google Apps), Office, basic databases, videoconferencing, and other applications.

Assets:

• Standard First Aid certification or higher training may be provided.
• Driver’s Licence

Working Conditions

• 50% Office Environment
• 50% Various job sites that will include working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and physical labour

How to Apply: Interested candidates are asked to complete their application by:

1. Following this link and use the “Apply Now” button and uploading their resume.
2. Submitting a “video cover letter” to people@youthclimatecorps.com and letting us know:

• Why are you interested in this position?
• How will you help move the YCCBC mission forward?
• Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

YCCBC is committed to equity and inclusion in our hiring processes and work environment, and we encourage women, people of colour, people of Indigenous ancestry, and LGBTQ2+ individuals to apply for this position. We strive to ensure that YCCBC is a safe place and are continually deepening our commitment to anti-oppressive operations within YCCBC.

Youth Climate Corps seeks to address climate justice for all Canadians. We are strengthened and guided by our diverse community and encourage applications from all identity groups, those with lived experiences and those who have been historically excluded or marginalized.

Join us in empowering youth and fostering climate resilience in Vernon!