Brooklyn Program

Title: Timbuctoo Institute Summer Program Assistant, Brooklyn Program

Department/Unit: Newcomb Campus / Northern Forest Institute

Location: The Timbuctoo Institute is based at ESF’s Newcomb Campus, in the Adirondacks, but will spend time during staff training and the institute itself in Syracuse, Kingston, and Brooklyn

Rate: $700/week, plus meals and lodging (pay dependent on additional responsibilities, ex. driving)

Duration: 12 weeks (June 1st – August 14th), potential for one week extension

Program Description:

The Timbuctoo Climate Science and Careers Summer Institute is an intensive educational summer program for high school students. The Brooklyn Program serves 6 cohorts of students in sequential 1-week sessions. The Institute provides opportunities for students from historically marginalized communities and focuses on environmental and social justice issues considered through the lens of climate science.

Brief Description of Duties:

Timbuctoo Summer Program Assistants work directly with ESF and MEC Staff, and Faculty to provide day to day logistical support including preparing and monitoring students, transportation, and some program delivery at MEC for up to 16 program participants during the 6, one-week sessions. Summer sessions will be preceded by up to 3 weeks of staff training.

Required Qualifications:

• Working with minors will require a criminal history background check in NYSED system (completed during the first week of staff training)
• Must be 18 years old or older

Job Requirements:

• Must be available from June 8th through August 14th (all staff will have the week of July 4th off)
• Ability to perform medium physical and manual labor (e.g. extended walking, lifting up to 50 pounds)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Enrolled as a full-time student at SUNY-ESF or Medgar Evers College; or a Timbuctoo Alumni
• Previous experience working with high-school aged populations including summer camp, outdoor education, community youth program, or other related experience
• Previous experience and work with environmental justice, social justice, and climate science
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• High degree of organization

To Apply:

• Submit a resume, two reference letters, and letter of application stating
  • why you are interested in this position
  • how being a part of this program will help you prepare to achieve your career goals
  • what skills and attributes you will bring to the program. Format may be Word or PDF files
• Applications should be submitted online.
• For optimum consideration, applications should be submitted by Friday, January 9th
• Additional information and questions please contact the Timbuctoo team at [email protected] 

Do you have any questions about working for the Brooklyn Program? Reach out to us at [email protected] with additional questions or anything else!

What is the Timbuctoo Institute?

The Timbuctoo Institute, founded in 2023, is a summer interdisciplinary program hosting high school sophomores and juniors from systemically marginalized communities. From Brooklyn to the Hudson Valley to Syracuse to the Adirondacks, students explore climate science through a lens of environmental and social justice while learning about academic and professional career opportunities in these fields and at their intersections.

What are the responsibilities of program staff?

Institute staff consist of Program Assistants, Lead Program Assistants, and leadership staff who collectively always have full care and custody for participants when they are with the Institute. There are 16 participants in each session, and Timbuctoo Institute staff are responsible for their management and safety. Program staff help program providers with their needs during formal programming, ensuring participants are engaged, and enriching learning when appropriate. Staff are also responsible for managing the participants' needs and leading informal programming. Additionally, summer staff are expected to provide mental health first aid and physical first aid as needed, formal training for which, is provided during staff training in advance of the summer sessions. Staff also resolve and manage interpersonal conflicts and create a supportive environment for participants.

How much will I be driving?

Staff with a valid driver’s license, who are willing and able, will be given driving responsibilities as part of their position. The Timbuctoo Institute uses 15 passenger vans to transport students, staff, personal belongings, and gear on interstates, highways, city roads, and country roads over the course of the summer institute. During each two-week session there are three, 3-hour drives, one 6-hour drive, and multiple short drives. Driving time is split evenly amongst available drivers, and drivers receive additional compensation for driving duties.

What does the schedule look like?

For staff members, Timbuctoo runs from June 1st to August 14th. The month of June is dedicated to training and follows the weekly schedule below.

• Week 1: Program overview and structure, staff roles and responsibilities, first aid, equipment handling – Syracuse, NY
• Week 2: Program run through week 1 – Start in Brooklyn, visit Kingston, Syracuse
• Week 3: Program run through week 2 – Newcomb
• Week 4: Final training modules and professional development – Newcomb
• Week 5: Week of July 4th Holiday off before beginning session 1
• Weeks 6-11: Summer sessions begin and run six (6) consecutive weeks, ending August 14th. Each session begins in Brooklyn for 2 days, before beginning to travel. We then spend a day in Kingston, 2 days in Syracuse, and a week in the Adirondacks. On the second Friday of the program, we drive back down to Brooklyn to end the program.
• Week 12: This is an optional week extension to assist with end of season closing duties.

What type of housing is offered in each location throughout the Institute?

The Timbuctoo Institute is a highly mobile program, traveling throughout New York State during each two weeks of the program. When in Syracuse, including the week of staff training, housing is provided in ESF’s Centennial Hall student dorms. When in Brooklyn and Kingston, lodging accommodations are provided in a national chain hotel.

In Brooklyn, Kingston, and Syracuse, housing is shared, two person rooms with a bathroom. When the program is at ESF’s Newcomb Campus in the Adirondacks, staff are housed in bunk houses. The bunk houses are shared spaces with total capacity for eight (8) people, though staff density will likely be lower. Bathrooms and shower facilities are located in adjacent but separate buildings.

How do I apply to work for the institute?

You can apply by submitting an application through the link below:

Submit an Application

Who should I contact with questions about employment opportunities with the Institute:

Please reach out to the leadership team at [email protected] with any questions. We are happy to help by providing additional information.

What activities will make up a typical day?

There will be a variety of activities throughout the two weeks, but each of the three, two-week sessions follow the same schedule. Programming each day includes classroom instruction, field trips to educational and nature-based sites, experiential learning, and a variety of outdoor skills development experiences.