Job Title: Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) Youth Leadership Coordinator
Reports to: AYEA Program Manager
Status: Full-time (non-exempt), 1 year, temporary, grant-funded position. It is anticipated to begin on or before April 2026 and go through May, 2027. However, this position is an at-will position.
Location: Anchorage (hybrid) or Fairbanks (remote)
Compensation: $25.00-$27.50/hour, Depending on Experience

Position Overview

Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) is a statewide program that helps Alaskan youth ages 13-18 build the skills, connections, and inspiration to effectively advocate for our communities and environment. AYEA hosts two annual leadership summits, supports year-round youth-led community action projects, and helps youth organize their peers in local AYEA chapters.

The AYEA Youth Leadership Coordinator will serve as a lead facilitator and coordinator for a series of community workshops and youth leadership opportunities over spring 2026-spring 2027. In addition, the AYEA Youth Leadership Coordinator will help with the two annual AYEA summits and help facilitate additional leadership opportunities for youth in between summits such as speaking opportunities at conferences or knowledge exchanges. This position is grant funded, so the term is approximately one year -  from hire date through the end of the grant period (May 2027). 

Organizational Overview

The Alaska Center Education Fund (AKCEF) envisions a thriving, just and sustainable Alaska for future generations. We engage and empower Alaskans of all ages to support clean air and water, a strong and resilient democracy, and a fair and equitable transition from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy. We focus on climate justice and clean energy solutions, wild salmon habitat protection, and ensuring all Alaskans can engage in the civic process. In partnership with our sister organization The Alaska Center, we engage in youth leadership development, community organizing and supporting public office holders who share our values.

Primary Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Coordinate and Lead Community Workshops

• Plan and serve as lead trainer/facilitator at 4 community workshops for teens over the course of the year (outside of summits) on skills like arts-in-action, public speaking, advocacy and storytelling with digital media, and environmental action project development;

• Work closely with partner organizations, communities, Tribes, teachers, mentors, etc. on all aspects of trainings, including planning, scheduling, and outreach and recruitment of local youth;

Facilitate Youth Leadership Opportunities

• Facilitate at least 2 opportunities outside of summits (such as attendance at events or conferences as speakers, workshop leaders, and presenters) for teens to practice public speaking skills and communicate about climate justice issues impacting their communities;

• Mentor youth to engage with these opportunities in supported and youth-led ways by coaching them on public speaking skills and helping them prepare presentations.

Summit Support & Facilitation

• Serve as a trainer and chaperone at the fall Youth Organizer Summit, held in September in the Anchorage area and focused on organizing skills and leadership;

• Serve as a trainer and chaperone at the spring Civics Summit in Juneau, focused on civic engagement and the political process.

Logistic & Administrative Support

• Coordinate the logistics for the conferences and youth leadership opportunities such as travel, lodging, chaperones, and schedules;

• Coordinate logistics for community workshops such as travel for AYEA staff and trainers;

• Assist with planning and preparation for both summits as needed, including logistics and travel support, workshop planning, communicating with youth and families, communicating with volunteer trainers and chaperones, etc.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• At least 1 year (or equivalent seasonal) experience working with youth, preferably middle-high school age. Applicants who have experience organizing young-adult peers will also be considered; a strong interest in working with youth is required;

• Strong preference given to candidates who have experience working with youth from rural Alaska;

• Demonstrated effective experience leading hands-on educational activities, trainings, or workshops;

• Strong organizational skills with at least some experience in planning and executing logistics for complex events (could be camps, trainings, summits or educational conferences, etc.);

• Proven track record in public speaking and facilitation skills;

• Knowledge of Alaskan cultures and communities;

• Familiarity with community organizing, climate justice, and/or advocacy, and a knowledge of social and environmental justice issues in Alaska;

• Commitment to understanding race, class, gender, and other equity issues in impacting the growth and leadership of young Alaskans. Experience and commitment to strengthening racial justice, equity, and inclusion in youth programs;

• Have strong interpersonal skills for engaging young people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including youth who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ+, and Alaskans and youth from both rural and urban communities; 

• Be able to effectively engage and communicate with teens, families, and volunteers using different platforms; such as zoom, facebook and instagram, google suite, email & phone

• Proven track record in handling multiple projects simultaneously, meeting frequent deadlines;

• Demonstrated ability to adapt and adjust to changing circumstances quickly;

• Be able to work as a member of a team and independently;

• Hold a current certification in 1st Aid and CPR or be willing to become certified; More advanced certification such as WFA or WFR is preferred but not required;

• Must be able to pass a background check to work with youth;

• Current, valid driver's license and ability to drive 15-passenger vans or willingness to be trained.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Experience working with youth in overnight/residential settings;

• Experience with grassroots organizing and campaign/project development, either as a participant or leader;

• Have an existing network of connections with young Alaskan leaders, adult mentors, and eagerness to expand AYEA’s network.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

• Must be able to stand, sit, and walk for long periods;

• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds;

• May be exposed to inclement weather (i.e., cold or hot temperatures, rain, snow, etc.) for short periods of time;

• Frequent travel will be required for this position, for each community workshop and summit. Depending on workshop locations, this may include travel to rural communities and travel via commercial airlines, small plane, boat, ferry, etc.;

• Depending on where you are based, travel may also be required for supporting youth to attend conferences and leadership opportunities. Overnights and chaperone duties may also be required for these;

• For each of the two summits, travel, long-days, and overnight work (as a chaperone) is required. One summit is in Juneau and one is in the Anchorage area. For each summit, 6-7 full days and overnights will be required;

• While traveling on behalf of AYEA, may be lodged in hotels, camp facilities, school floors, etc.; AYEA will provide sleeping bags, sleeping pads in these instances;

• Travel may be delayed or extended based on weather or mechanical delays, etc.;

• Workshop and summit coordination requires the ability to respond quickly to changing situations;

• Occasional evening and weekend work outside of workshops and summits may be required for other trainings and events.

This is a full-time, temporary position based in Anchorage or Fairbanks, Alaska. The Alaska Center Education Fund’s offices are in Anchorage. An Anchorage based employee would be preferred, however with another AYEA staff member based in Fairbanks, a Fairbanks-based applicant would be considered. Note that an Anchorage-based staff would have a hybrid schedule with 2 days required in the office. A Fairbanks based staff would work remotely, but with frequent in person collaboration with the other AYEA staff member in Fairbanks.

All of The Alaska Center Education Fund staff have access to paid professional development opportunities, including training and support. The Alaska Center is an equal opportunity employer. Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status,or any other protected characteristic as established under law. We are committed to supporting, centering, and working with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, Working-Class and Low-Income people, Women, LGBTQIA2+ people, and Disabled people in addressing the many crises that impact us. We strongly encourage people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities to apply.

To Apply: Please complete the form here: https://alaskacenter.bamboohr.com/careers/49, including submitting a resume and cover letter, and providing three work-related references. In your cover letter, please address how your qualifications match the job description and why you want to work for our organization. Position open until filled. Review of applications will be on an ongoing basis. Please reach out to info@akcenter.org with any questions.