Come join our community! Cobscook Institute is currently hiring one permanent, full-time salaried position coordinating the delivery of our community-based programs effective immediately. We are looking for a Community Programming Steward with enthusiasm for harnessing the creativity and excitement of our community to build an exciting range of programs and an awareness of the needs of our amazing and diverse region. Apply today!
About Cobscook Institute:
Cobscook Institute is a community-led organization that creates educational opportunities that strengthen personal, community, and global well-being. A welcoming and dynamic teaching and learning center, Cobscook’s offerings include community programs, a 4-year public experiential high school program (offered in partnership with Calais High School), and a retreat center.
Cobscook’s vision is of a thriving multicultural community that respects people and planet, and inspires, supports, and sustains people to achieve their greatest potential. Programming is rooted in our region's rich and diverse cultures, arts, perspectives, and natural systems.
About Cobscook’s Community Programs:
The Cobscook Institute campus serves as a hub for learning, gathering, creativity, healing, and play near the shores of Cobscook Bay.
Our community programs lie at the center of our mission by creating a space for community members to learn from and with each other. We facilitate a slate of homeplace programs, immersive projects, and on campus or remote courses. Along with our long-standing programs of pottery, music, yoga, writing, and more, we also continually invite community members to develop new learning initiatives and partnerships to expand and enrich the learning and community connection that happens here at Cobscook.
Position Overview:
The Community Programming Steward leads development and delivery of Cobscook's community programs in partnership with engaged community members and on-campus staff and volunteers.
They also guide critical systems such as managing internal campus calendars, reception, and hospitality needs. This individual works closely with the Co-Directors, the Programming Circle, the Communications Circle, community members, and collaborating partners to bring to life a diverse set of offerings. They also participate in participant/guest-focused services including registration, scheduling, billing, and program evaluation. They share budget responsibility for the Center, including community programs and retreat hosting/booking, and they are a part of the development team in ways that relate to community programming functions. The Community Programming Steward must demonstrate an educational philosophy, accessibility practice, and emotional presence that is congruent with the philosophies and practices that have shaped the mission, vision, and values of Cobscook Institute.
This position includes evening and weekend hours on an on-call basis as needed. Required Working Holidays: Memorial Day.
Responsibilities Include:
Community Programming
Responsible for managing Homeplace workshops, classes, events, and training, including scheduling, program development partnership, and hosting as required
Cultivate a broad instructor base for Cobscook offerings and develop and oversee the delivery of orientations, training, and agreements with and for those instructors
Partner with staff, board, and community to envision future programs, and lead efforts to plan for future offerings that meet Cobscook’s mission and are achievable within available resources
Center Operations
With support from Co-Directors and in partnership with the Retreats Steward, develop and manage the annual Community Programs budget
Commons Care & Hospitality
Work closely and transparently with all staff to ensure an excellent, culturally competent, trauma-informed guest experience.
Responsible for establishing, providing, and managing consistent reception coverage.
Provide oversight for reception volunteers
Co-work collaboratively with hospitality staff to create a welcoming and hospitable participant/guest experience in The Commons
Co-host events, bookings, and programming on campus
Partnership & Initiatives
Manage & implement Birding Festivals, Iota Programs, and other signature offerings
Engage in grant development and writing in support of organizational funding priorities connected to community programs and related activities
Manage School Partnerships
Minimum Qualifications:
BA/BS degree or 3 years experience in hospitality, retreat/resort centers, residential education, or a similar field
Software and computing skills, including use of Google Suite (word processing, spreadsheets)
Experience building and monitoring project budgets
Commitment to Cobscook Institute’s mission, vision, and values
Ability to lift 50 pounds
Preferred Qualifications:
Familiarity with experiential, community, popular, folk, and/or Indigenous education pedagogies
A history of community-focused work or volunteer experiences
Ability to manage volunteers and operate effectively in a collaborative work environment
Project management experience
Experience developing community education programs and workshops
Demonstrated communication skills including writing and public speaking
Excellent attention to client experience
A sense of humor and commitment to create a positive work environment
Compensation and Benefits:
$55,000-$58,000 depending on qualifications and experience, plus allowance for professional development and training.
Benefits include: Health Insurance, Retirement, Paid Holidays, Paid Time-Off, free access to Cobscook Institute programs.
How to Apply:
Please click APPLY below, fill out the short form, and upload a PDF that includes your resume, a cover letter, and three references. Position will remain open until filled and applicant review begins the week of October 7, 2024.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Cobscook Institute is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Cobscook are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, citizenship, service in the military or veteran status, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or any other status protected by law.