Independent Contractor : Blue Star Connect Outdoors Leader Consultant Location:  Groton, CT (must reside within 25 miles of location) Project Lead: Associate Director National Programs Position Type: Independent Contractor, approximately 30 hours per month through December 2026 Hourly range: $30 per hour   About Blue Star Families Blue Star Families (BSF) is a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting military families by providing programming and resources while strengthening their connections to their local communities. We partner with businesses, government agencies, and local organizations to create impactful programs that empower and uplift military families. Independent Contractor Engagement Terms: This independent contractor will be retained solely for project-based, outcome-driven services and will not be an employee, agent, or representative of Blue Star Families. The independent contractor: * Retains full autonomy over the method, schedule, and tools used to perform services. * Is not assigned work hours, or internal recurring meetings. * Shall not use a BSF job title, business card, or name tag. * Will not represent themselves as a BSF employee or agent to external stakeholders. Project Based Scope of Work:    * Plan and deliver independently organized, and regularly occurring outdoor recreation meetup opportunities for local families, with a target of one event per month, as seasonably appropriate. * Coordinate as needed with staff at local national park sites for outdoor recreation activities. The contractor retains discretion over communications and partnerships.  * Track and submit outdoor recreation opportunities using provided planning documents for visibility and support, at the Contractor’s discretion and in a manner consistent with agreed-upon deliverables.   * Track and log attendance for Blue Star Connect Outdoors activities, utilizing tools or methods selected by the contractor that meet the basic reporting needs.  * Develop and implement ideas for highlighting outdoor meetup activities via social media and Blue Star Neighborhood (ex. providing photographs and stories from events, helpful resources to get outdoors, or sharing “best of” outdoor activities), with content and frequency determined by the Contractor in alignment with overall project goals.  * Disseminate printed or digital promotional materials to local civilian and military-facing community bulletin boards and networks, at the Contractor’s discretion regarding timing and method of distribution * Identify and steward potential relationships with local parks and outdoor organizations to increase opportunities for engagement, exercising independent judgment in outreach and collaboration efforts.    Required  Qualifications * Proven success in outdoor recreation and event coordination * Ability to effectively manage administrative responsibilities required for program execution, including scheduling, documentation, communication, reporting, and follow-up. * Strong familiarity with Google Suite, Canva, and Zoom * Experience in planning and executing events, including logistics and project management. * Demonstrated ability to build relationships with military families, local community members, and key stakeholders.  Deliverables & Payment Terms   All services shall be delivered in accordance with agreed deadlines and milestones. Payment structure to be outlined in a separate contract. BSF shall not direct how services are performed — only that deliverables meet agreed results.