Individual Placement Program Manager

About WisCorps:

Our mission is to engage the next generation of environmental leaders through guided, hands-on service opportunities that benefit our region’s public lands. Our primary focus is to engage young adults through hands-on service opportunities in environmental stewardship, accomplished through partnerships with land management agencies and environmental education organizations across Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest.

WisCorps is a division of Central Conservation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation agency that empowers environmental organizations working to care for our Earth.

Position Overview:

The Individual Placement Program Manager (IPPM) reports to the Division Director and is responsible for the leadership, management and oversight of the Individual Placement Program. Performing as a lead representative for specific WisCorps agreements and partnerships, the IPPM guides agreements through their lifecycle; ensures AmeriCorps member, partner and programmatic and compliance needs are met; provides WisCorps management and supervision of AmeriCorps Individual Placement Members and future program staff; oversees Program logistics and Program budget monitoring; collaborates with partners on Program evolution. IPPM will be a driver for the Program’s sustainability and growth into new areas of Wisconsin (and the Upper Midwest) and a catalyst for creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive culture within the Program and the organization as a whole.

The IPPM position is a permanent full-time position based out of La Crosse, WI, that will travel throughout Wisconsin and occasionally the Upper Midwest. The IPPM will support current & future AmeriCorps Members within the Individual Placement program, including monthly check-ins, mid-term evaluations, periodic site visits, and end-of-term evaluations. They will ensure Member safety, high-quality service, and a positive Program community. They will coordinate recruitment and hiring efforts for Individual Placement Members, orient them to the AmeriCorps Program’s policies and requirements, and ensure that AmeriCorps Members comply with AmeriCorps standards. The IPPM will work closely with and guide “mentors” at Placement Sites to ensure AmeriCorps compliance, timely reporting, and other details outlined in the placement site contract. Moderate travel is required. Periodic overnights are required.

The IPPM position is responsible for providing administrative support to the Division and liaising with all Program partners. The position will oversee the Individual Placement Program policies and procedures and office systems. It will perform duties to provide administrative support for any range of office functions and Program facilitation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Be a leader within the organization and community for equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Continually create and support a culture of equity and inclusion within the Crew Program
• Seek to remove barriers to participation and create a safe and welcoming environment for crew members and staff from communities traditionally marginalized in the conservation movement, including, but not limited to, BIPOC, AAPI, LGBTQIA+, Hispanic/Latinx, and individuals with disabilities
• Lead with an anti-racist mindset and continually evaluate WisCorps policies and procedures to identify and refine or remove those that do not support equity, diversity, and inclusion

Management & Supervisory Duties

• Oversee as many as two Program Coordinators and as many as up to 40 Individual Placement Members, which includes being on call during non-work hours to respond to Program emergencies or incidents
• Hire, supervise, and evaluate current and future Program staff, including Coordinators
• Work with the Division Director to develop recruitment plans, help to ensure a diverse pool of applicants, and oversee the hiring and onboarding of Members
• Ensure that policies and procedures are followed and address discipline issues when necessary
• Facilitate any corrective action for Members and Coordinators and keep appropriate records

Programmatic Duties

• Locate new placement sites and partnership opportunities and organize regular Program meetings to discuss contract negotiations
• Work with current and new Placement Sites to create position descriptions that meet AmeriCorps compliance and regulations
• Perform regular site visits and evaluations of Placement Sites, Coordinators, and Member experience
• Perform regular site visits to ensure AmeriCorps compliance and regulations
• Post staff and participant opportunities on various job boards and review applications
• Host pre-service interviews and reference checks
• Promote an environment of collaboration, effective communication, timely feedback, and continual improvement within the Program
• Attend WisCorps staff, committee, and program meetings as requested
• Represent WisCorps at conferences, community, and recruitment events
• Assist with Crew Program capacity and training needs, specifically during the Crew Program onboarding (Early-June and Early-September)

Training Duties

• Create and maintain written training resources, visuals and standard training procedures
• Design and implement an engaging, inclusive, and effective training curriculum for the Individual Placement Program, including equity, diversity, & inclusion, and risk management
• Identify inefficiencies and challenges within the Individual Placement Program
• Be able to identify the different learning styles of Department staff and Members, and effectively adapt training as needed
• Be an active presence at Program trainings and orientations
• Mentor Program Coordinators on creating an inclusive and functional crew community

Risk Management & Safety Duties

• Maintain a work environment that is both physically and emotionally safe
• Ensure compliance with OSHA safety standards and all state and local worker protection laws
• Create a culture where risk management practices are written, trained, followed, evaluated, and refined
• Maintain appropriate certifications for self, staff, mentors, and members (e.g., AmeriCorps, First Aid/CPR, etc..)
• Manage the on-call system and support on-call staff as needed or during incidents

Partnerships and Logistics Duties

• Oversee the planning, scheduling, implementation, and evaluation of all Individual Placement partnerships/agreements/experiences
• Actively develop relationships with potential placement sites, agency partners, and community organizations
• Work closely with the Division Director to determine current and future equipment and supply needs, including fleet vehicles and trailers, tools, equipment, and supplies
• Provide technical, logistical, personnel and administrative support for Members and Mentors

Data Collection Duties

• Ensure Members and Placement Sites (including Mentors) complete agreement paperwork including timesheets, incident reports, evaluations, accomplishments/performance measures, feedback forms and others as necessary
• Organize and process Individual Placement Program project data for end of season and annual reporting

Financial & Administrative Duties

• Implement tracking and reporting systems for Program and Placement Site outcomes
• Collaborate with the Department Director to develop and comply with annual budget targets
• Work with the Division Director to identify and secure new funding sources to support the Department and to ensure grant compliance and timely reporting

QUALIFICATIONS:

• • An experienced manager with a minimum of four years in a leadership role with a conservation corps or similar agency that hosts AmeriCorps members. Previous experience working in a team setting at a non-profit preferred
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation, Conservation, Sustainability, Environmental Science, Education, or related degree preferred (Substantial experience in conservation work and/or youth programming will be considered in lieu of Degree)
  • Experience leading or supervising a group/team and experience managing outdoor projects/activities required. Relevant experience in youth leadership, outdoor recreation, environmental education, and/or natural resource management is preferred
  • Experience in organizational hiring and onboarding. Previous experience in an AmeriCorps setting at a non-profit preferred.
  • Excellent communication skills – must have a strong comfort level speaking on the phone and or virtual calls
  • Ability to solve problems and think creatively when faced with obstacles
  • Demonstrated ability and desire to create and nurture a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion
  • Can inspire and lead a team toward a common goal
  • A systems thinker who looks for ways to improve processes and ensure replicability
  • Highly self-motivated, hardworking, confident, autonomous
  • Efficient time management and able to set and meet deadlines
  • Highly organized and able to reprioritize tasks as needed
  • Valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record
  • Current WFA/CPR certificate or higher or ability to attain WFA/CPR within 90 days of starting employment
  • Ready to undergo a criminal background check
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Software, including Outlook, Excel, and Word
  • Experience with or knowledge of working with AmeriCorps in either an AmeriCorps member or staff capacity are also preferred
  • Believes in the WisCorps mission and willing to adhere to WisCorps policies and procedures

All job offers are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.

WisCorps provides equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran per applicable federal, state, and local laws. We are committed to assuring equal employment opportunity and access to services, programs, and activities for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and need to access information in an alternative format or need it translated to another language, please get in touch with us by phone at 608-782-2494, by email at [email protected], or by Wisconsin Relay 711.