Education Programs Lead (Part-Time, Seasonal)
YWI is hiring a part-time, seasonal Education Programs Lead to coordinate our fall and early-winter community education and outreach — anchored by the annual Fungus Foray & Wild Mushroom Exposition — and to help rebuild a tradition of classes, walks, and hands-on stewardship events.
About the role
The Yuba Watershed Institute (YWI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving watershed health, forest and landscape resilience, and community engagement across the Yuba River watershed. YWI works with private landowners, public agencies, and partners to plan and implement ecological restoration, fuels reduction, and land stewardship projects across forests, oak woodlands, and shrubland ecosystems.
Community education has been part of YWI's identity since its earliest years. Talks, workshops, and guided walks once drew people regularly into conversation about the lands and waters of the Yuba watershed. Over time, as the urgency of active forest management grew — driven by drought, accumulated fuels, and the rising threat of severe wildfire — the organization's focus shifted toward that hands-on restoration work. Most of those community gatherings faded; only the annual Fungus Foray survived as a continuing tradition.
With the Education Programs Lead position, YWI is making a deliberate return to that community engagement work. We believe that stewardship is both ecological and cultural, and that caring for the land and helping people feel connected to it are two sides of the same effort. This position is a chance to help rebuild a tradition of educational programming — classes, walks, and hands-on workshops that build biological literacy, draw neighbors into the work of caring for shared landscapes, and pass along the practical skills of land stewardship. For the right person, it's an opportunity to shape how a community comes to know and care for the watershed it calls home.
The Education Programs Lead is a part-time, seasonal position responsible for coordinating YWI's community education and outreach events during the fall and early winter. The primary focus is planning and executing the annual Fungus Foray and Wild Mushroom Exposition — a two-day public event held each December that features guided mushroom forays, expert presentations, a wild mushroom display, and merchandise and concessions sales. In addition, the Education Programs Lead will work with YWI staff and board members to plan a series of smaller educational and stewardship events during the position term. This position reports directly to YWI's Executive Director.
Key responsibilities
- Plan and execute all aspects of the annual Fungus Foray and Wild Mushroom Exposition, including venue contracting, outreach and press, online ticketing and registration, volunteer coordination, merchandise and concessions, and day-of event management.
- In collaboration with YWI staff and board members, help plan and coordinate approximately 3–4 additional community education and stewardship events. These may include volunteer land stewardship days (e.g., invasive plant removal, habitat restoration), guided ecological walks, or speaker presentations on natural history, forest health, or watershed stewardship.
- Perform additional related tasks as directed by the Executive Director.
Desired qualifications
- Experience planning and coordinating public events, community programs, or educational activities.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience with volunteer recruitment and coordination.
- Familiarity with social media platforms, email newsletters, and basic website management.
- Interest in and knowledge of natural history, ecology, mycology, or related fields.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with staff, board members, volunteers, and the public.
- Experience with permitting processes for public events on public lands is a plus.
- Valid driver's license.
Working conditions
This position involves a mix of remote office work and in-person event coordination. Some outdoor work is required, particularly during events.
Weekend work will be necessary during the Fungus Foray (typically held the second weekend of December) and may be required for other events. Workload is variable, with more intensive hours expected in the weeks immediately preceding and during the Fungus Foray.
How to apply
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume (including three professional references) to Chris Friedel, YWI Executive Director, at chris@yubawatershedinstitute.org.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and the position is open until filled. Early applications are encouraged.