Outdoor Education Director

The Outdoor Education Director manages and oversees Camp Burgess & Hayward’s robust rental program, from late August through early June (excluding the weeks of summer camp). This program serves to welcome school groups to camp during the Fall/Winter/Spring for experiential education experiences. 

This person is responsible for every part of a rental group’s experience, from assisting with the booking process to ensuring an excellent experience during their stay. The Outdoor Education Director also hires, trains, and supervises seasonal Outdoor Education staff. This is a full-time, year-round position with on-site housing provided. 

CORE EXPECTATIONS: 

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT 

• Directs and oversees the rental program to meet the needs of the community and fulfill YMCA objectives. 

• School trips to camp focus on teambuilding and adventure education (low ropes, high ropes, rock climbing, archery), environmental science (farm, forest and pond ecology) and camp fun (waterfront, games, campfires). 

• Trips are both day and overnight, ranging from one to five days long. 

• Works closely with the food service and facilities teams to meet program goals. 

• Develops new program activities and Outdoor Education curriculum in accordance with strategic and operating plans. 

• In collaboration with the full-time staff team, develops and implements marketing strategies, including website updates and social media content. 

STAFF ENGAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT 

• Recruits, hires, trains, develops, and manages 10–15 seasonal Outdoor Educators during both the spring and fall Outdoor Education seasons (April–early June and late August–early November). 

• Encourages and fosters staff commitment to achieving program goals. 

• Collaborates with the Retreat Center Director, who oversees weekend rentals, and the Challenge Course Manager to coordinate operations and achieve program goals. 

PARTICIPANT ENGAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT 

• Builds relationships with school and group representatives and creates a safe, supportive community environment. 

• Recruits new rental groups from area schools and organizations and develops the rental-season calendar based on groups’ preferred dates, availability, and staffing. 

• Provides exemplary customer service to rental groups. 

• Promptly responds to inquiries, shares program information, collects required paperwork, and ensures planned itineraries align with each school group’s goals. 

• Checks in with groups frequently while they are on-site to ensure their experience meets expectations and resolves any problems that arise. 

BUDGET & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 

• Meets rental-program budget goals by monitoring revenue from group bookings and expenses, including staff wages and program supplies. 

• Develops budget projections for future seasons. 

• Prepares invoices for rental groups and collects outstanding balances. 

1. FACILITY MANAGEMENT 

• Collaborates with appropriate staff to ensure program facilities are clean, safe, adequately equipped, well-maintained, and presented to the standard expected by rental groups. 

• Plans and assists with facility-related tasks to meet program needs, particularly during transitions between seasons and programs. 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & SUPPORT 

• Collaborates with the full-time staff team to support the overall objectives of the branch. 

• Assists with other areas of Camp Burgess & Hayward operations as needed, particularly during the winter and summer seasons. 

• Participates in YMCA fundraising activities and events and develops collaborative relationships with community organizations to strengthen support and build community. 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience. 

• Experience teaching a variety of outdoor education and teambuilding programs. 

• Experience working with students ages 10–18. 

• Lifeguarding or waterfront-programming experience preferred. 

• Ability to develop and maintain positive, effective working relationships with staff and community partners. 

• Ability to lead groups of students and staff effectively, facilitate discussions, and guide staff development. 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

• Ability to climb stairs; bend, stoop, kneel, and twist; reach and grasp with the hands; perform repetitive motions; sit, stand, and walk for extended periods; lift and/or move up to 40 pounds; and possess the hearing, visual acuity, and manual dexterity necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. 

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand, communicate, and walk across uneven or unpaved terrain. The employee must be able to work outdoors in rain and other inclement weather conditions.