Experiential Learning Program Lead

ECHO INC.; North Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Disability insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Holidays & leave

Wellness days

Birthday leave

Job summary

ECHO is seeking an Experiential Learning Program Lead to oversee internships, apprenticeships, and residencies across departments worldwide. You will recruit mission-aligned candidates, coordinate placements, provide orientation, and ensure strong supervision and development for Learners in a globally connected ministry.

The role emphasizes collaboration with Human Resources, campus networks, and leadership to align learners with ECHO’s mission and operations, including housing, safety, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, education, leadership, nonprofit management, or related field.
• 3+ years in recruiting, experiential learning, or student program management.
• Experience designing orientation, training, or cohort-based learning.
• Experience building external partnerships and representing at recruitment events.
• Familiarity with Christian ministry, nonprofit, or mission-driven work preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an organization-wide Experiential Learning strategy.
• Coordinate compensated and unpaid placements across departments.
• Monitor outcomes and drive program improvements.
• Recruit qualified candidates from universities, churches, and networks.
• Onboard Learners with mission, values, and safety practices.
• Collaborate with HR to ensure compliance and documentation.

Skills

Recruiting experience

Public speaking

Organizational skills

Cross-cultural engagement

Program management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, education, leadership, nonprofit management, or related field

Job description

ABOUT ECHO

ECHO is a global Christian agricultural networking, training, and resourcing organization. Our mission is to strengthen the capacity of a diverse global network to defeat hunger and improve lives through sustainable food and agroecosystem strategies. ECHO has a significant network of over 20,000 individuals and organizations built over 45 years working in more than 190 countries. These partners serve as the primary multiplier for ECHO tested options, strategies, and research.

WHY JOIN ECHO

At ECHO, you will join a global Christian network committed to defeating hunger and restoring hope through sustainable agriculture. Our team is mission-driven, collaborative, and deeply committed to equipping leaders around the world with practical tools that create lasting impact. If you are passionate about faith-integrated service and sustainable solutions, you will find meaningful purpose in this role.

SUMMARY:

The Experiential Learning Program Lead oversees ECHO's organization-wide Experiential Learning Program, a strategic pathway for identifying, developing, and engaging emerging professionals through internships, apprenticeships, and professional residencies (collectively, “Learners”) in ECHO's global mission. Reporting to Human Resources, this position recruits qualified, mission-aligned candidates from universities, churches, professional networks, and other communities; coordinates compensated and unpaid placements across ECHO departments; and ensures every Learner receives strong orientation, meaningful work, consistent supervision, professional development, and a global perspective on ECHO’s mission. The Experiential Learning Program Lead develops and stewards a program in which Learners contribute throughout the organization, including Advancement, Communications, Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, Research, Seed Bank, Hospitality, and agricultural operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Strategy and Leadership:

• Develop and implement an organization-wide Experiential Learning strategy, spanning internships, apprenticeships, and professional residencies, aligned with ECHO's mission, strategic framework, and workforce needs.
• Build and manage a balanced portfolio of compensated and unpaid placements across departments, disciplines, educational levels, and seasons.
• Establish annual goals and program standards, including timelines, policies, and supervisor expectations, for recruitment, placement, retention, completion, and program quality, based on the needs of ECHO's global network.
• Work with Human Resources and organizational leaders to identify future talent needs and shape placements that create pathways to employment, service, or long-term partnership with ECHO.
• Monitor program outcomes using participant and supervisor feedback, and recommend improvements to strengthen the program.

Recruitment and External Relationships:

• Research the skill and experience needs of ECHO's Regional Impact Centers, global network, and partner organizations, and use that research to lead a targeted recruitment strategy that attracts qualified, mission-aligned candidates from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, well beyond agriculture alone.
• Represent ECHO at universities, colleges, seminaries, career fairs, conferences, churches, and mission networks, and build lasting relationships with faculty, career services offices, campus ministries, alumni, and partner organizations that connect strong candidates to ECHO.
• Create compelling recruitment materials, presentations, digital content, and outreach campaigns in collaboration with Communications and Advancement.
• Maintain a recruitment calendar and candidate pipeline for year-round, summer, semester, and specialized placements.

Candidate Selection and Placement:

• Coordinate the application, screening, interview, reference-checking, selection, and placement process in partnership with Human Resources and department supervisors, assessing each candidate for mission alignment, character, skills, learning goals, and fit.
• Develop accurate placement descriptions with department leaders, including responsibilities, learning outcomes, supervision plans, schedules, and compensation or benefit information.
• Match Learners with departments where their skills can contribute meaningfully while supporting clear professional growth.
• Coordinate with Human Resources to ensure all placements, compensated and unpaid alike, comply with applicable employment laws, academic requirements, organizational policies, and documentation standards.

Onboarding, Training, and Professional Development:

• Design and facilitate a consistent onboarding experience that introduces Learners to ECHO's mission, history, global network, Statement of Faith, core values, workplace expectations, safety practices, and organizational culture.
• Develop a professional development curriculum covering areas such as leadership, cross-cultural engagement, project management, vocational discernment, spiritual formation, and career preparation.
• Coordinate regular gatherings, learning sessions, site experiences, and opportunities for Learners to engage with ECHO leaders and network members, present their work, and reflect on lessons learned.
• Help Learners connect their departmental assignments to ECHO's global mission and understand how different functions contribute to defeating hunger and improving lives.

Supervisor Support and Program Quality:

• Prepare and support staff supervisors to provide meaningful assignments, clear expectations, regular coaching, appropriate accountability, and a healthy learning environment.
• Conduct regular check-ins with Learners and supervisors to address concerns, clarify expectations, and support successful placements.
• Partner with Human Resources to respond appropriately to performance, conduct, safety, housing, or interpersonal concerns.
• Develop evaluation tools for Learners and supervisors and use feedback to improve recruitment, orientation, training, supervision, and program design.
• Maintain accurate records related to applications, placements, agreements, evaluations, academic credit, compensation, and program outcomes.

Community, Care, and Ongoing Engagement:

• Cultivate a welcoming, Christ-centered work environment in which participants are known, supported, challenged, and connected to ECHO staff and one another.
• Coordinate with appropriate ECHO departments (including virtual) and site leadership to ensure Learners receive clear information and appropriate support regarding housing, transportation, meals, schedules, events, and other practical needs associated with program participation.
• Track program alumni and help ECHO understand the long-term impact of the Experiential Learning Program on participants, the organization, and the global network.

Collaboration and Organizational Support:

• Collaborate with leaders across all ECHO departments and Regional Impact Centers to identify meaningful projects and learning opportunities for Learners.
• Coordinate with Advancement and Communications to share appropriate Learner stories and demonstrate the program's impact to donors, partners, universities, and prospective applicants.
• Build and sustain ECHO's network, connecting current and former Learners to one another and to ongoing learning opportunities.
• Contribute to annual budget planning, program reporting, and resource development for the program.
• Stay informed about trends and good practices in professional development, early-career development, experiential learning, and nonprofit talent development.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Human Resources.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must adhere to the ECHO Statement of Faith and possess character traits consistent with ECHO's Core Values.
• Strong commitment to developing emerging professionals and helping people connect their gifts, education, and vocational goals to meaningful service.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, engage, assess, and build relationships with college students, recent graduates, universities, churches, and professional networks.
• Excellent public speaking, written communication, interpersonal, facilitation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple recruitment cycles, placements, schedules, relationships, and administrative details with consistency and good judgment.
• Ability to collaborate across departments and influence program quality without directly supervising every placement host.
• Cultural humility and the ability to work effectively with people from varied backgrounds, disciplines, generations, and life experiences.
• Ability to handle sensitive personnel information with discretion and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Working knowledge of applicant tracking, database, spreadsheet, presentation, communication, and virtual meeting tools.
• Ability to work independently, establish priorities, and manage a developing program with a high degree of initiative, sound judgment, and follow-through.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, education, organizational leadership, nonprofit management, communications, ministry, student development, or a related field required. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Three or more years of experience in recruiting, experiential learning or student program management, career development, campus ministry, human resources, higher education, training, or a related field.
• Experience designing and facilitating orientation, training, professional development, or cohort based learning experiences.
• Experience building external partnerships and representing an organization at recruitment events or in public settings.
• Familiarity with working in a Christian ministry, nonprofit, international, cross-cultural, or mission-driven organization is preferred.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Positions Directly Supervised:

Learners will be administratively coordinated by this position for purposes of program participation, orientation, professional development, and general support while receiving day-to-day work direction, assignments, and technical supervision from their assigned departmental supervisors. The position may also supervise temporary program support staff or volunteers as assigned.

Others to Work Closely With:

Human Resources, department leaders and Learner supervisors, Florida Site leadership, Regional Impact Center staff, Communications, Advancement, Finance, Information Technology, hospitality, volunteers, university and college representatives, churches, partner organizations, and program alumni.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed primarily in an office and campus environment, with regular interaction across ECHO departments and with Learners, staff, visitors, and external partners. The role includes travel to recruitment events and may involve occasional outdoor activities, tours, conferences, and work in hot and humid Florida conditions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The employee must be able to sit and work at a computer for extended periods, communicate effectively in person and through virtual platforms, and regularly walk throughout the Florida campus. The position may require standing for extended periods at recruitment events, transporting presentation materials, and occasionally lifting or carrying up to 30 pounds.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

This is a full-time position. Regular hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work is required for recruitment events, program activities, arrivals, departures, and organizational activities.

TRAVEL:

Regular domestic travel is expected for university visits, career fairs, conferences, church engagement, and recruitment partnerships. Occasional international travel may be available based on organizational needs and program opportunities to strengthen professional development or connection with ECHO's global network.

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• Compensation commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, and life insurance)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Company-matched 401(k) retirement plan
• Generous paid time off, 12 paid holidays, 5 wellness days, plus paid birthday leave

AAP/EEO STATEMENT:

ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner.

In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status, genetic information, or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job.

ECHO is a Christian religious-affiliated organization and is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. ECHO hiring practices are in compliance with federal and state law. Federal law permits religious organizations to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.

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