Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs

Title:     Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs

Immediate supervisor: Director of Outdoor Programs and LandSea

Position summary: Assists in the development and facilitation of outdoor programming on and off-campus including, but not limited to, LandSea pre-orientation, winter and spring break trips, and other trips and events throughout the year. This is a full-time, exempt, year-round, benefits-eligible position. The position requires significant periods of travel with students – about 60 field days per year – including 30 consecutive days on the LandSea pre-orientation trip in the Adirondacks of New York, 10 consecutive days for winter and spring break trips, and occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

Responsibilities

The individual in this position will work closely with the Director, Outdoor and Environmental Coordinator, and Outdoor Leadership Training Center Coordinator, to:

•  Contribute to the overall vision and direction of the Outdoor Programs office.
• Shared responsibility in the continued risk management review and development of policy and procedures.
•  Help to develop outdoor leadership training for students and employees and serve as lead facilitator and trip leader for the two-week LandSea Trip Leader Training in the Adirondacks of New York.
•  Assist in teaching outdoor Physical Education classes and assess the feasibility of developing other academic or extracurricular outdoor classes or trips.
•  Instruct 14 days of wilderness medicine, first aid/CPR, or outdoor skill workshops for the Outdoor Leadership Training Center per year.
•  Hire, train, and supervise student employees (5-10 individuals) throughout the year.
•  Manage, inventory, purchase, repair, and maintain all equipment and supplies for trips and equipment rental.
•  Organize logistics, food purchases, permits, reservations, and work with park officials to plan and implement Outdoor Programs trips.
•  Operate within and effectively communicate with numerous departments on campus.
•  Identify opportunities to stimulate interdepartmental curricular and student engagement and foster partnerships and collaborations with local organizations and entities.
•  Update and manage the Outdoor Programs and LandSea websites as needed.
•  This is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The position may encompass other tasks not listed here, including the opportunity to develop additional trips and/or programming.

Minimum qualifications

•  Bachelor’s degree and five or more seasons of outdoor education trip leading or guiding experience on multi-day experiences. Or, Master’s degree in Outdoor Education, Environmental Education, Recreation, Outdoor Leadership or equivalent field plus two seasons of outdoor education trip leading or guiding experience on multi-day programs. A Master's degree in a topic other than listed above and five or more seasons of outdoor education leading or guiding experience on multi-day experiences.
•  Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR certifications or willingness to acquire same or higher level (can be provided).
•  Experience as a guide, trip leader, and/or outdoor educator in diverse locations on multi-day trips.
•  Extensive personal and professional experience in rock climbing and teaching rock climbing, including certification at Single Pitch Instructor or higher, or equivalent training and experience.
•  Ability to engage in extensive physical activities necessary to lead and participate in wilderness trips, including maintaining and moving outdoor equipment, lifting 50 pounds and traveling by foot over varied terrain.
•  Demonstrated experience with creating policies, processes, and managing budgets, preferably in an outdoor education or guiding program.
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•  Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, PowerPoint) and WordPress website content management system, or willingness to obtain same.
•  Strong organizational and time management skills.
•  Strong experience and ability to operate 12 passenger vans with trailers.
•  Valid driver’s license, no more than 2 moving violations during the last 3 years, and no serious driving convictions in the last 5 years in accordance with College insurance requirements.
•  Knowledge, skills, and experience in facilitating group development activities, wilderness medical care, backpacking, paddling, hiking, climbing/rappelling, and other wilderness-related activities. 
•  Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice principles.

Preferred qualifications

•  Additional outdoor training or certifications, i.e. LNT, AMGA/PCIA, ACA, Swiftwater Rescue, etc.
•  Ability to provide training or certification in the above organizations or other organizations.
•  Two year’s experience working in an administrative position, preferably within an outdoor context.
•  Experience working in education, non-profit organizations or higher education.

Benefits

•  Excellent health, dental and vision insurance benefits.
•  15 paid holidays per year
•  10 paid vacation days in the first year of employment (20 days by year three)
•  Additional sick and bereavement days
•  Other employment benefits include the ability to audit classes at Kalamazoo College, tuition remission for qualifying dependents, employee wellness fitness classes, and many other benefits
•  403(b) retirement savings with matching contributions after 2 years.
•  Wilderness medicine certification or re-certification opportunities.
•  Professional development opportunities.
•  Flexible schedule outside of trip times.