About the role

The Schools Program Manager plays a leading role in growing our movement of high schoolers fighting for climate justice. They lead the development of strategies and programs to grow, empower and support high school students in our movement, working collaboratively with our volunteer teams, campaigns team & organising teams.

About the AYCC

The AYCC is a non-profit, non-partisan organisation building a movement of young people to protect our future from climate change. We are Australia’s largest youth-led organisation and one of the most effective organisations dedicated to tackling climate change, with thousands of volunteers and supporters across the continent.

We have three major areas within AYCC:

• Campaigns to solve the climate crisis - We run campaigns to make sure Australia moves from fossil fuels to renewable energy as quickly as possible. Our campaigns include:
  • Holding back fossil fuel expansion through campaigns to stop the funding and public support for climate-wrecking gas projects
  • Advocating for investment in climate solutions, from the local to national level
  • Working to shift the narrative on climate justice and build mass public support for ambitious action
• Training, community organising & leadership programs providing a diverse range of opportunities - online, locally and nationally - For young people to build the skills and connections to make an impact
• Switched on Schools - Each year we educate, inspire and empower tens of thousands of high school students to create change. We do this through in-school programs, training opportunities, and engaging students in our campaigns.

Your key responsibilities

• Leading the development of strategies and programs to grow, empower and support high school students in our movement
• Managing the development and delivery of our training program/s specific to high schoolers
• Developing & managing the implementation of organising (e.g. in-school groups) and support structures (e.g. mentors) for the high schools students within our movement
• Building relationships with key stakeholders, to foster collaboration & grow the reach of AYCC’s Schools program (e.g. with other organisations, schools, teachers & peak education institutions)
• Managing, growing & supporting volunteers in the National Schools Team to help deliver the AYCC Schools Program
• Collaborating with the organising team to ensure high school students are involved in our broader organising work including inductions, volunteer teams & national training programs
• Working with members of the campaigns team to ensure that our national campaigns are adapted to work in a high school context, and that high school student leaders in our movement are actively engaged in campaign planning
• Working with the Organising Director to manage our duty of care to the under 18s that AYCC works with
• Working in solidarity with other organisations and grassroots groups, including around First Nations’ justice
• Other duties as required by the organisation from time to time, including support on our campaigns, national training programs & cross-organisational projects

Selection criteria

We’re a youth organisation, so we don’t expect you to be an expert at everything. We’re committed to building the skills of the successful candidate and supporting you to grow. Even if you don’t fit all the attributes below, but are keen to learn, you should apply!

Skills and experience

• Design and delivery of training programs across a diverse range of skill sets and topics
• Designing distributed volunteer support structures
• Strong attention to detail
• Managing / coordinating, supporting and coaching volunteers
• Excellent group facilitation skills
• Managing projects of intermediate size and complexity (e.g that span over a few months and involve multiple collaborators)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, that can be tailored for a high school-age audience, and in cross-cultural contexts.

Culture and other attributes

• Committed to the safety and protection of the under 18s in our movement
• An understanding of the specific needs and cultural dynamics of high school-aged young people
• Abides by and embodies AYCC’s values
• Able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work effectively with a high degree of autonomy and accountability; self-motivated and can demonstrate initiative
• Values giving and receiving feedback
• Innovative and creative
• Ability to get a Working with Children Check

Why work for us?

• We provide flexible working hours, & the opportunity to regularly work from home
• We’re a team of like-minded, passionate, hard-working & fun young people
• We provide a superannuation contribution of 11%
• You can access our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellbeing allowance
• Dedicated budget for your own professional development opportunities towards your career goals
• 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata) + Christmas shutdown period + 10 days (pro-rata) personal leave per annum
• Access to various other types of leave including: Cultural & Religious leave, Primary & Secondary Carer Parental leave, Compassionate leave, Community service leave & Domestic / Family Violence leave.

If you’d like to know more about the position, you can contact Sally Coggiola (OrganisingDirector) for a confidential discussion on 0415 116 992.

The AYCC is a youth-led organisation, with all staff and core volunteers under the age of 30 - as such, we seek applications only from those under 30. We strongly encourage young Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander, LGBTI and people of colour from diverse backgrounds to apply.

A position description is attached.