Austin Environmental Leaders Program Manager
Accepting Applications: June 24,2025 – July 7, 2025
Position: Austin Environmental Leaders Program Manager
Reports to: Program Director
Location: 10611 Platt Lane Austin, TX 78725
Schedule: Full-Time, M-F with nights and weekends as needed
Salary Range: $54,000 – $57,000
Start Date: August 4th, 2025
Job Summary:
Austin Youth River Watch (AYRW) is seeking a dedicated and equity-driven Program Manager to lead our Austin Environmental Leaders (AEL) Internship Program, an initiative that extends our impact beyond high school. This role centers on supporting young adults through mentorship, career exploration, and project-based learning.
The Program Manager will design and implement the AEL program each semester, supervise interns, and build partnerships with local green career professionals and workforce development efforts. In addition to leading AEL, this position will facilitate one high school crew during the academic year and support AYRW’s broader educational and community engagement goals.
Who we are:
Austin Youth River Watch transforms and inspires youth through environmental education, community engagement, and adventure. To learn more about our programs, we encourage you to visit our website.
Job Duties:
- Manage AEL Internship Program (50%)
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- Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation process of AYRW’s AEL Program
- Recruit, hire, and supervise 3-4 interns per semester
- Support/mentor interns in setting and meeting personal and professional goals
- Plan and facilitate equity workshops for interns
- Manage program evaluation and data collection
- Promote program to alumni, community partners, and local universities to support recruitment efforts
- Coordinate professional development opportunities
- Submit intern stipend reports monthly
- Coordinate transportation for interns
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- Build workforce development program partnerships (20%)
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- Build and maintain partnerships with green professionals and educational institutions
- Stay connected with local workforce development initiatives
- Coordinate guest speakers and career talks for programs
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- Support high school programming (20%)
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- Recruit, lead, and facilitate programming for one afterschool student crew during the school year, and substitute for other program staff as needed throughout the school year and summer
- Be proficient in water quality testing, watershed science, and Central Texas ecology
- Connect students with resources, and support career development and educational goals, including writing letters of recommendation
- Support the collection of student documentation and data as required
- Facilitate social and emotional learning, life skills development, and peer mentoring throughout the program
- Transport students in a 12-15 passenger van during daily programming and extended camping trips
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- Support overall organizational health (10%)
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- Model the Austin Youth River Watch Mission and Values in a responsible manner
- Participate in organization outreach activities, i.e. tabling at community events and fundraisers
- Assist with outreach to local donors, sponsors, and partners as needed for special events
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with youth, parents, staff, board members, program partners, volunteers, and community members
- Take an active role at board and committee meetings
- Help the staff team regularly clean and maintain our office space, the EcoHouse
- Ensure vehicles are adequately maintained for safe daily use
- Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and organizational policies
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Preferred Qualifications:
- Fluency in both Spanish and English
- Passion for helping young people envision and work towards personal achievement
- Sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences
- Ability to anticipate and address needs in dynamic contexts
- Willingness to grow and learn in youth development and environmental education fields by attending trainings, conferences, and other opportunities
- Knowledge of Texas Ecology, climate change, and other environmental topics
Qualifications:
- A minimum of 2 years of knowledge and experience in career counseling, workforce development, or related fields, such as social work or higher education
- A minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience in program management and administration with paid or volunteer staff, ideally in nonprofit settings
- Experience in educating and mentoring youth, especially those from historically marginalized backgrounds
- Experience with environmental science and outdoor education activities
- Trained in and committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills (active listening, speaking, and writing)
- Ability to regularly work outdoors including walking on uneven terrain, climbing creek banks, and lifting and carrying heavy supplies
- Technology skills: MS Office programs; Google Drive, Gcal, and other cloud-based applications; CRM/database programs (eTapestry)
- A clean Texas Driver’s license and the ability to drive a 12-passenger van
- Passing a comprehensive criminal background check
- CPR/1st Aid certification (adult, child, and infant) – can be obtained once employed
- Ability to work with diverse staff, volunteer, and student teams, and have strong conflict management skills
Diversity & Inclusion Statement
Don’t meet every qualification listed? We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, especially those historically underrepresented in nonprofit staff roles. Studies show that women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color often hesitate to apply if they don’t meet every requirement. At AYRW, we’re committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team where everyone feels they belong. We believe that diversity strengthens our organization and enriches our community, and we welcome candidates who bring unique perspectives and experiences to help us advance our mission. If this role excites you, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, then we’d still love to hear from you.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time position with a salary range of $54,000 – $57,000, depending on experience. Austin Youth River Watch offers a great benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, vacation, sick leave, and a 403(b) retirement plan.
Austin Youth River Watch also offers a total of 24 paid holidays per year. Please note that MLK Day in January is normally a day in which AYRW is hosting community service events in reflection of Dr. King’s service to the community, and is not a paid holiday. To compensate for this, Presidents Day in February is a paid holiday.
The AEL Program Manager will also be required to attend overnight camping trips during the AISD Spring Break period and in the summer.
Application process:
- Email your resume and cover letter to apply@riverwatchers.org by 11:59 PM on Monday, July 7, 2025. Use the subject line: AEL Program Manager.
- In PDF files, include a resume and cover letter describing your interest and experience relevant to this position.
- We will NOT accept applications if they do not include a cover letter and resume.
Please note that because of our work with youth, we will conduct background checks on final-round candidates before we finalize an employment offer.
If you have any questions about applying for the position, please contact Fidel Campuzano Gonzalez at fidel@riverwatchers.org.
