Current Opportunities

 
 

Experiential program facilitator

We are seeking an Experiential Program Facilitator to join us in the execution of our annual programs. This position relies heavily on strong facilitation skills, knowledge of experiential pedagogy and practice, and excellent relationship-building skills. We work in multiple modalities that are play-based, and while those always have clear educational outcomes, we choose play for intentional reasons. Be playful! It is a big part of our work, together and with participants. This position will primarily focus on the execution of pre-designed programs and the relationship cultivation and maintenance with our program partners that is critical to our success in the communities we serve. 

This will be a part time, temporary, seasonal position that will support a few, key programs around the US from the date of hire through the end of 2024. This position will report directly to the Program and Operations Director and will also work closely with the CEO/Founder. After December 31, 2024, this position will not continue into 2025. There will be new part time, temporary opportunities beginning in 2025 that we can discuss more during the interview process. 

This is a travel position, with an expected 40 - 50 days of travel to programs and various other professional engagements in 2024. GutMonkey programs are typically between 1 - 2 days long. This role must arrive early to the program location (typically one day before the program start date), and remain on-site throughout the duration of the program, typically leaving the day after the program concludes. Program locations are nationwide and all food, lodging, and on-the-ground travel expenses are covered throughout the duration of the program. Travel expenses to and from the program locations are covered in accordance with GutMonkey travel policies. All program equipment and materials will be provided by GutMonkey. Although not required, we would strongly prefer a bilingual spanish-speaker for this position. As a part-time, temporary position, there will be different rates for administrative time (meetings, program preparation, paperwork, etc..), training time (time in the field with a current staff person in a training capacity - observing and some supportive facilitation), and facilitation time (time in the field facilitating as a lead facilitator for a program). See more compensation information below.

Facilitator Responsibilities:

Program Delivery and Logistics:

  • Deliver experiential programs, which spark dynamic participant experiences and encourage continued engagement. Programs will be designed by GutMonkey staff, but some adjustments and customization may be needed pending the program and partner needs.

  • Engage and connect with patients during programs outside the hours of facilitation. Have conversation with curious parents during a teen program, take extra time to connect with partner staff upon arrival and departure to site, and be willing to connect with community members as a representation of GutMonkey. 

  • Travel to and from GutMonkey Headquarters and various communities nationally as needed. Work with the Program Director to book flights, hotels, rental cars, or other travel logistics and be timely and responsible during travel time. Must follow standard operating procedures around travel and travel spending.

  • Ensure the integrity, creativity, and quality of the GutMonkey curriculum.

  • Understand and follow GutMonkey’s policies and procedures at all times.

  • Lead (or assist) participants groups between 5 and 50 teens and/or adults impacted by chronic health conditions (the majority of participants navigate living with a bleeding disorder).

  • Practice Positive Youth Development and positive strategies with teens and youth participants, many who come from diverse and varied backgrounds.

  • Ensure program agendas and program supplies are well organized physically and digitally, and communicate needs to have the necessary tools, materials, and training to successfully implement programming.

  • Data Collection and Reporting: document program outcomes and lessons learned, collect participant data, take photos, and compile program highlights. 

  • Risk Management: Implement GutMonkey risk management procedures and apply judgment and decision making skills to real-time situations.

Administrative

  • Attend and prepare for meetings and trainings as designated by GutMonkey 

  • Complete all necessary documents and administrative tasks for programs which may include program agendas, debrief forms, uploading surveys and photos, and submitting receipts in a timely manner

  • Maintain confidentiality and professionalism surrounding participant information

Location

We prefer that the candidate lives in the Portland, OR area, but would consider a remote candidate if it was the right fit. The candidate is expected to live within 50 miles of a major or regional airport and will be expected to travel to various locations around the US to deliver programs. GutMonkey programs truly expand to all corners of the country from Maine to Texas to Michigan to Alaska. The candidate should be comfortable traveling and willing to employ problem solving strategies independently in the face of travel challenges.  

Interactions & Information about GutMonkey

GutMonkey is a small company, based in Portland, Oregon that designs and delivers outdoor and experiential programs geared toward better healthcare management for communities affected by rare and chronic conditions. GutMonkey programs range from hour-long keynotes and conference workshops, to weekend long teen programs. At times, we run week long residential programs and expeditions for adults, but have no current plans to run programs like this in 2024.  We are a passionate and collaborative team that centers our work in relationship-building, and community building as the foundation to better health. This serves our central belief that behavior change around healthcare is uncomfortable, and we often ask our participants to do things that are challenging, outside of their comfort zones, and that necessitate asking for help, and validating the hard work of others. We are committed to equity in our organization, and all of its programs, and seek to name and dismantle the ways that various forms of oppression affect the health of the populations we serve. We work predominantly in teenage and adult populations, and occasionally do work with whole families, including young children.

GutMonkey currently has 3 full time employees (CEO, Program and Operations Director, Communications Director), one part time employee (Assistant to the CEO), and two remote contract employees (Operations Manager, Finance Manager). We often work with and communicate with various clients in the outdoor industry, patient affairs for rare and chronic disease, and the pharmaceutical industry. This role would primarily work with patients and program partners with various non-profits.  

Facilitator Qualifications and Experience:

Required:

  • Experience in facilitation and/or dynamic, hands-on education work with teenage and youth populations.

  • Strong group management skills working with small to large groups across age demographics and over the course of multiple hours and, at times, over a few days.

  • Strong interpersonal skills and interest in working with people from a diverse range of backgrounds.

  • Experience managing curriculum, activity/program execution, or a background in education.

  • Ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as independently.

  • Excellent written and oral communication and organizational skills.

  • Willingness to learn and practice flexibility and live-time, independent, creative problem-solving in the face of challenges during programs. 

  • A desire and capacity to find solutions and employ various strategies and utilize resources well in the finding of those solutions.

  • Ability to work weekend days and occasional evenings.

  • Must have reliable transportation options to access an airport within 50 miles of residence and a valid driver’s license and auto insurance (some programs will require a rental car). Because most states require renters to be 25 or older, candidates must be age 25 or older.

  • Excellent risk assessment and management skills as they relate to delivering experiential programs and managing small events.

  • First Aid and CPR Certification (can be obtained upon hire).

  • Working knowledge of Google Suite (or ability to learn quickly)

Strongly Preferred:

  • Experience in outdoor education, highly experiential community-based art education, or creative health education (or another specialty area that may align with our work). If you have a specialty area, please outline this in your application!

  • Experience in facilitation work with adults.

  • Spanish language proficiency.

  • Experience with public health community engagement.

  • Experience with group conflict resolution

  • Equity and Inclusion training and experience.

  • Experience with independent work, airplane travel and proven ability to manage logistics around travel responsibly.

  • Responsible and timely around administrative tasks such as scheduling meetings, submitting receipts, and completing debrief forms.

The Ideal Candidate

  • This position may be a great fit for someone looking for occasional program work through 2024. Any one that sees themself succeeding in this job description is encouraged to apply.

  • We are looking for someone who can navigate the nuances of being professional yet fun and highly organized and time-sensitive yet flexible and willing to change quickly if needed.

  • Our ideal candidate will work well independently and should expect to work alone 80% of the time and with staff/collaboratively 20% of the time. 

  • This job requires ENERGY to work with and engage with teens over multiple hours. Energy can mean many different things, so help us understand in your application how you plan to bring your “brand” of energy and consistency to this work. We are looking for someone who has positive skills and passion towards youth work.

  • Ideally, candidates will have a positive mindset about travel for work and will be able to travel and deliver programs independently without significant support from other GutMonkey staff.

Compensation

  • Administrative time

    • Between 1 and 5 hours per week (some weeks may have no admin time)

    • $25 / hour

  • Training time

    • Training with GutMonkey (at the office / in Portland / pre-program)

      • $50 / hour

    • Training in the field (on the road at a program)

      • Between 1 and 2 training programs in 2024, likely to last 3 - 4 days each in the field including travel days

      • $150 / day (including travel days)

  • Facilitation time 

    • Between 40 - 50 days in the field for 2024

    • $350 / day (including travel days)

  • This role should expect to gross approximately $22,000 - $25,000 from date of hire through 2024

  • Individual will be hired as a GutMonkey employee for all work conducted for this position. 

Additional Information

  • The position will encounter both indoor and outdoor work environments at programs. Some outdoor environments may be exposed to the elements including hot weather, cold weather, rain, snow, or other challenging elements.

  • Will be required to work specific evenings, overnights and weekends. The applicant must be available the following dates to be considered (May 18, June 21 - 23, Aug 2 - 9, Sept 6 - 8). As we schedule more programs, we will work together with your schedule.

  • We prefer that the candidate lives in the Portland, OR area, but would consider a remote candidate if it was the right fit.

  • Normally requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

  • May require physical activity, standing for extended periods of time, moving heavy bags around program locations, and playing active games with participants.

  • We will run a background check prior to hiring, and may want to discuss the results of your background check with you prior to making a formal offer of employment.

  • GutMonkey is committed to creating and celebrating a diverse and equitable workplace. If you don’t meet all the requirements of the position but are interested, please apply! We are committed to finding the best fit for the company.

Application Instructions

Your application should consist of:

  • Your resume that outlines any experience facilitating, experience in education settings, any focus areas as an educator, and any personal education or professional development experience

  • A cover letter or a short video or audio file answering the following questions:

    • What is an educational or youth-centered program you have facilitated that you are proud of? What specifically made that program or experience a success for you and for your participants?

    • What is an educational or youth-centered program you have facilitated that was challenging? What specifically made that program or experience unsuccessful for you and for your participants? What would you have done differently if you had the chance to do it again?

    • What is a modality you feel comfortable teaching or facilitating? Even if it isn’t something core to GutMonkey’s work, we would love to hear about your experience and how it might translate to the work we do.

    • What are your overall goals? How could this position support these goals?

    • Why do you want to work at GutMonkey?

  • Samples and/or representation of your work as an educator or facilitator. This could include (but is not limited to):

    • PDFs or documents of curriculum or programming you have developed and facilitated/taught

    • Photos, videos, or any media that might represent your work (GutMonkey will practice discretion with media and delete any files after the interview process to protect any subjects of the media)

    • Websites, articles, or other press that discusses your work as an educator or facilitator

  • If you do not have samples of your work, please reach out via email so we can offer additional opportunities to understand your facilitation experience

Email your application to Margaret Bridges (margaret@gutmonkey.com). No phone calls, please. Please do not email other members of the GutMonkey team or other general company emails you may find on our website. Phone calls and emails to other emails outside of the one listed above will not be responded to. Applications will be reviewed over the next few weeks. Applicants being considered for the position will be brought in for an in-person interview (or travel will be provided to Portland if the candidate is out of state). Potential candidates should expect a start date in late April or early May.