Responsible for providing leadership in the areas of Outdoor Education (OEE), and select Specialty Programs and Group Retreats (SPGR). The Outdoor Education Director must be well organized, outgoing, service oriented, have excellent communication skills and be capable of representing experience in leadership roles with youth, teens, and adults. In addition, the Outdoor Education Director must have a commitment to the YMCA’s mission and be able to implement this mission through the OEE and SPGR programs and interpret this mission and purpose to our guests and staff.
This position requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Outdoor/Environmental Education, Recreation, or a related field with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the fields of Camping and Environmental Programming. Must possess outstanding communication and organizational skills in order to relate to the entire camp community and to achieve the desired results on multiple simultaneous projects. Superior interpersonal relationship skills, writing and verbal skills are essential.
- Work collaboratively with other directors to hire, train, supervise and provide a professional development program for seasonal staff.
- Coordinate licensing, environmental inspections and accreditation for the YMCA Storer Camps.
- Assisting the Vice President in budget development, goals and objectives for OEE.
- Maintain a cheerful, respectful, and caring disposition.
- Coordinate and troubleshoot daily schedules and events.
- Assist with program, curriculum, and staff development.
- Communicate with all camp departments regarding needs and schedules.
- Participate as an active member of the YMCA Storer Camp Leadership Team.
- Assist in all agreements: billing, evaluations, schedules, meal counts, horse ride information and correspondence with contracted groups.
- Provide and maintain a safe, and high quality program that follows all standards and guidelines for corresponding areas
- Monitor and maintain the camp facility for safety and cleanliness.
- Maintain safe, high quality state licensed/ACA accredited programs for all OEE/SPGR and summer groups.
- Act as a campaigner and team captain in the annual scholarship campaign
- Be available to assist and direct all program activities throughout all seasons (i.e. Outdoor Education, SPGR, Summer Camp – as assigned)
- Be committed to high customer service. (i.e. Good interaction with campers, students, staff, and teachers.)
- Coordinate staff training sessions
- Follow employees and volunteers screening requirements and use screening instruments to screen for abuse risk. Communicate to all employees and volunteers the organization’s commitment to protect their youth from abuse.
- Provide employees and volunteers with on-going supervision, feedback and training related to boundaries with youth and abuse risk.
- Require employees and volunteers to adhere to policies and procedures related to abuse risk.
- Respond seriously and quickly to reports of or suspicions of policy and procedure violations and/or inappropriate behavior using the organization’s progressive disciplinary procedures.
- Follow mandated reporting requirements. Immediately report essential abuse risk management information to appropriate supervisor.
- Annual program growth
- A hands on style of leadership (i.e. teaching, leading, and participating in programs as needed.)
Mission Advancement: Models and teaches the Ys values. Ensures a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Provides volunteers with orientation, training, development, and recognition. Cultivates relationships to support fund-raising.
Collaboration: Champions inclusion activities, strategies, and initiatives. Builds relationships to create small communities. Empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Effectively tailors communications to the appropriate audience. Provides staff with feedback, coaching, guidance and support.
Operational Effectiveness: Provides others with frameworks for making decisions. Conducts prototypes to support the launching of programs and activities. Develops plans and manages best practices through engagement of team. Effectively creates and manages budgets. Holds staff accountable for high-quality results using a formal process to measure progress.
Personal Growth: Shares new insights. Facilitates change; models adaptability and an awareness of the impact of change. Utilizes non-threatening methods to address sensitive issues and inappropriate behavior or performance. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
This position requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Outdoor/Environmental Education, Recreation, or a related field with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the fields of Camping and Environmental Programming.