LEAPNOW: Transforming Education is currently hiring for three positions:
1. Student Journey Coordinator
2. Administrative Assistant
3. Building & Land Coordinator
LEAPNOW is a unique and innovative alternative education organization with offices at an 11-acre retreat campus in Sonoma County, 90 miles north of San Francisco. Our flagship program is LEAPYEAR, an alternative first year of college. LEAPYEAR help young adults (ages 17-24) make an intentional and powerful transition into adulthood with the following elements:
· 3 months of group travel in Asia & Latin America
· A 3-month solo internship chosen from 6,700 options in 126 countries
· 7 weeks of inner-focused contemplative retreats at our California campus
· Formal & informal rites of passage
· A fully accredited college curriculum with access to Federal financial aid (FAFSA)
· Dynamic mentoring and very high standards of integrity
Our intention as an organization is to model transformation and intentional living while helping young adults reclaim their organic wholeness, and make their first steps into empowered adulthood. We aim to keep our organization and our program offerings on the cutting edge of human consciousness. The final two pages of this packet talk about the challenges and opportunities inherent in working at LEAPNOW for all positions.
To apply to the positions in this packet, please send a current resume and cover letter to:
Hiring Coordinator
LEAPNOW: Transforming Education
11640 Highway 128, Calistoga, CA 94515
Email:
If you are demonstrably committed to your own learning and evolution, and want to be part of an intentional team that contributes to the growth of young adults in a powerful and transformative way, please read on!
Student Journey Coordinator
LEAPNOW: Transforming Education
Position Summary: A mid-level staff position at LEAPNOW, this position coordinates the one-year LEAPYEAR student journey as it relates to the residential retreats and international internships. The position involves a great mix of interpersonal coaching and mentoring and logistical grounding of students pursuing internships all over the planet.
Position Responsibilities:
Internship Coordination & Journey Support (60%)
Facilitate international internship placements for up to 35 college-age students each year, and maintain a database of over 6,700 internships, volunteer options and service opportunities in 126 countries.
Support and co-facilitate 7 weeks of annual residential retreats for up to 35 students at our rural campus.
Parent Relations (15%)
Actively engage with parents throughout the year about the student internship process and student journey.
Administrative Support (25%) Work with a team of four staff to run the LEAPNOW office, prepare for residential retreats. Answer the phone, and relate to a steady stream of emails.
Skills & Background Required:
· International travel/work/volunteer experience
· Experience with a broad variety of work and volunteer environments
· Strong research, networking and organizational skills a must. Ability to juggle many small projects at one time.
· Counseling experience a plus
· Strong computer skills. Experience with Word, Excel and database management. Experience with Filemaker Pro a plus.
· Clean driving record
Reports to: International Program Director
Schedule: 9-5 Monday through Thursday, 9-3 on Friday; during 15 retreat weeks we work longer hours, and days off vary throughout the week.
Commitment: One year minimum (through August, 2018)
Pay: $24k per year minimum (more based on experience) Please note that significant compensation for this position comes in the form of housing on campus and other benefits.
Benefits: Housing and utilities provided on campus
Food provided during retreats and trainings (about 15 weeks per year)
No-deductible health insurance (Kaiser Permanente)
Additional Important Info: Vehicle a must. Desire to live in a quiet, rural area is very important.
Administrative Assistant
LEAPNOW: Transforming Education
Position Summary: This is an entry-level organizational support position in the LEAPNOW office. In this position, you’ll have the chance to grow your capacity through a variety of daily administrative and marketing responsibilities. Our campus is very busy and active for 7 weeks per year hosting residential retreats for groups of up to 33 young adults. During these retreats, job duties may involve preparing meals, facilitating cleaning and other projects, preparing spaces for workshops, supporting students with assignments and projects, etc. The right candidate for this job is enthusiastic and capable in an office setting, has strong phone and computer skills and can work successfully with others in a dynamic, flexible environment.
Position Responsibilities:
Student/Parent Relations (40%)
Assist in everyday communication with current and former students and families
Administrative Coordination (40%)
Deliver a high level of administrative support to all students, parents and staff
Assist in the daily operations of the LEAPNOW office
Assist in updating tracking systems for admissions, enrollment, travel logistics and academic documentation/paperwork
Marketing and Outreach Support (5%)
Assist with phone and mail outreach campaigns
Assist in coordinating annual Gap Year Fair representation
Assist in creating and updating relevant marketing materials
Assist in maintaining active and engaging web presence through social media, ad campaigns etc.
Respond to basic inquiries by prospective students/families
Retreat Support (15%)
Other Duties and Projects as Assigned
Skills Required:
- Good computer skills with Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience with Filemaker Pro a plus.
- Social media experience a big plus
- High level of professional literacy, attention to detail and spelling
- Personable and enthusiastic on the phone
- Ability to work well with others and be flexible.
- Desire to do interesting office work – primarily at a desk at a computer work station
- International travel or study abroad experience a big plus
- Clean driving record
Reports to: Office Manager
Schedule: 9-5 Monday through Thursday, 9-3 on Friday; during retreats we work longer hours, and days off vary throughout the week.
Commitment: One year minimum - through August, 2018
Pay: Starts at $1400 per month Please note that additional compensation for this position comes in the form of housing on campus and other benefits.
Benefits: Housing and utilities provided on campus. 2 weeks paid vacation in first year.
Food provided during retreats (about 15 weeks per year)
Additional Important Info: Vehicle a big plus. Desire to live in a quiet, rural area is important.
Building & Land Coordinator
LEAPNOW: Transforming Education
Job Description:
Responsible for taking care of 16 buildings and 11 acres of land at the Maacama college campus in Calistoga. This includes:
Ø Work on site to maintain buildings and land. This can include carpentry, sheetrock and insulation installation and repair, plumbing maintenance, landscaping, erosion control, minor electrical wiring, window and door installation or repair, painting, wall paneling, flooring installation, minor roofing to repair leaks, spring, water line and cistern maintenance.
Ø Supervision and teaching of students carrying out maintenance, carpentry, gardening and landscaping activities on the site. Students are on the site approximately 17 weeks per year. Supervision of any interns or other volunteers working on the land or buildings. Work with up to 20 students at a time on up to 5 simultaneous projects. Teach basic safety, tool use and work skills.
Ø Support of activities with students during times when students are on-site – approx. 17 weeks per year. Setting up rooms and outdoor spaces for activities – chairs, blackboards, AV equipment, cushions. Cleaning of buildings, dorms and classroom spaces as needed. Providing a staff presence on site in the evening during residence times – 2x per week – 9 PM – Midnight – meeting with students, turning off lights, letting students know about 11 PM curfew.
Ø Maintenance of tool room and all tools, including maintenance of company vehicles.
Ø Driving: Drive van, pickup and cars to pick up students at airport, make deliveries, pick up kitchen and construction supplies, and other errands as needed. Drive students to recreational activities as needed.
Ø Overseeing of independent contractors hired to complete electrical work, roofing, road maintenance and plumbing that are beyond the scope of the work that our staff and students are able to carry out.
Skills & Experience:
Construction: Painting, Chainsaw use. Basic carpentry and framing. Flooring. Roofing.
Land Work: Gardening, Pruning, Landscaping.
Clean driving record, ability to drive standard shift vehicles.
Resistance to poison oak is a big plus.
Our campus and community are drug and smoke free at all times and alcohol-free when students are in residence.
Pay: $1600 per month - a full-time payroll position.
Benefits: Housing and utilities are provided on campus.
Food provided during retreat weeks - ~17 weeks per year
Health insurance through Kaiser Permanente. Two weeks paid vacation in the first year.
Hours: 9 to 5 M - Thurs. 9 to 3 on Fridays. During retreats, the hours may be less regular and include work on weekends.
Additional Important Info: Vehicle a must. Desire to live in a quiet, rural area is important.
As an organization, LEAPNOW staff are very committed to working together in a truly harmonious way and everyone who works here shares a strong commitment to both inner growth and professional growth. Please read more below about living and working at LEAPNOW.
Living and Working at LEAPNOW
LEAPNOW is a cutting edge education organization that runs alternative experiential college programs that incorporate international travel, study and life skills learning for ages 17 – 24. We are a unique, innovative organization with an excellent office environment at a rural retreat center in northern California. Most staff live and work on campus year-round.
As you consider applying to work at LEAPNOW, it is as important to give the context of the job as much weight as the content of the job, because working here is so much more than just the job description. Working on the LEAPNOW campus has unique joys and challenges. In the interests of disclosure and effective “matchmaking”, we have tried to describe some of the main challenges and joys for you so that you can make an informed decision about applying – please keep in mind that the same factor could be a joy or a challenge – depending on who you are and what you need or love:
There are three central themes of what we do at LEAPNOW:
1. Creating an environment in which young adults can flourish and blossom into the fullness of themselves – mind, body, emotions, spirit, creativity, imagination and more.
2. Connecting young adults to real experiences in the world – so that they can find their unique place in it.
3. Transforming education as it is conceived and carried out in the U.S.
If you are deeply interested in these three things, this could be a great place for you to live and work. If not, it isn’t likely that this is a good fit for you.
Location: Our campus feels remote and rural. We are 20 minutes from four small to mid-sized towns – Healdsburg, Calistoga, Windsor & Santa Rosa. San Francisco is 2 hours away. The population of Sonoma County tends toward an older demographic. This poses a challenge in trying to create a social network beyond the campus if you are under 30. It can certainly be done, but it takes work and time. Couples are encouraged to apply, as well as people who already have a social network in the Bay Area. A vehicle is a must in order not to feel isolated – the campus is small (11 acres) and beautiful, and it’s important to be able to get away from time to time. Pure extroverts haven’t thrived here. You can see photos of the campus and the surrounding area on our website at www.leapnow.org/campus.php.
Regular, intensive retreats: There is a boom and bust rhythm to our work – 7 - 20 day intense, active and engaging retreats with 35+ young adults on campus, alternating with times when the campus feels quiet and empty, and it’s just the staff (7 of us) here for a month or more at a time. It can be a challenge to maintain continuity with non-LEAPNOW friends or off-campus activities during retreat times, though they will only be 8 weeks in 2017 and 2018.
Community & Personal Growth: We live and work together. This blurs the lines – and is a challenge for those who are used to keeping work and personal life separate. We expect staff to live on their own growing edge, and bring as much of themselves into their work as possible. We explicitly ask staff to bring their hearts into their work and daily life. LEAPNOW is dedicated to bringing forth “the whole human being,” and this starts with the staff. We are dedicated to keeping our relationships clear with one another – not allowing shadow areas to develop between staff members. We define integrity as telling the truth, keeping our agreements, feeling feelings and expressing our creativity. This also starts with the staff. We work with teens – and a high level of “realness” is most effective. We call ourselves a learning community, rather than intentional, sustainable or spiritual.
It can be regularly disorienting (or re-orienting) to hold intensive retreats for others – it has the effect of “double-digging” us and growing up parts of ourselves that may have been left behind or neglected. This can move your evolution along a rate that can be disconcerting. Please visit www.leapnow.org/leapyear/philosophy.php - for a fuller description of what we do and why.
Broadly Defined Job Descriptions: You will have your own area of accountability, AND there is an expectation that everyone will take part in everything. We all do the cleaning, run errands, work in the kitchen and take out the trash together. Generalists do better here than specialists. Prima donnas don’t do well here. Community works best when people are willing to take ownership of the workings of the whole, rather than just relating to “my area.”
Here are a few reasons why some of us love working here:
· Sonoma County is one of the nicest and most beautiful places to live in the US
· In the course of our work, we regularly get to help people to learn about themselves, to deepen, and to come into the fullness of themselves. It is very satisfying and important work where you can feel as if you truly are making a difference in the lives of others
· There are times of intensity and a definite push to serve others, interspersed with time to ask “what just happened,” to integrate new experiences, and to have time to prepare for the next offering or challenge