OUTDOOR EDUCATION COORDINATOR

POSITION SUMMARY: The YMCA is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Outdoor Education Coordinator to develop, lead, and grow outdoor education programming beyond our Summer Camp offerings. This new position is designed to expand our camp curriculum with creative, hands-on outdoor learning education experiences that promote environmental stewardship, personal growth, and teamwork. The coordinator will design new outdoor education programs, deliver engaging lessons, brainstorm new family programs, and collaborate closely with camp leadership and program staff to ensure alignment with YMCA values and safety standards.

OUR CULTURE: Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day.  We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Creates a positive environment for children, parents and staff.
• Develop innovative outdoor education and environmental learning programs tailored to program site.
• Plan and deliver engaging outdoor activities such as nature exploration, survival skills, environmental science, team-building challenges, and leadership development.
• Create curriculum that is adaptable for various age groups, interests, and skill levels.
• Attends required trainings and meetings to stay current with information and program requirements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for outdoor education programming within the Y-Outdoors.
• Work closely with the Camp Director and Program Director to integrate new outdoor education initiatives.
• Train, mentor, and support assistant teachers in delivering outdoor education activities when needed.
• Communicate program plans, schedules, and safety protocols clearly to staff, parents, and participants.
• Transport/Drive children to and from school and program location in a  14 passenger bus. (No CDL required and training is provided).

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk outside on uneven trails and terrain, up and down steep hills, and over obstacles on the ground.
• Must possess the ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor settings.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Must possess the ability to perform the following activities, but not limited to balancing, walking, running, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing, reaching, standing, pushing, pulling, lifting, throwing, grasping, feeling, talking, and hearing.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
• The employee will be regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve non-routine and complex problems; may use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks and work under intensive deadlines with frequent interruptions.
• The employee must be able to interact with members, staff, volunteers, and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom may be dissatisfied individuals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Be a minimum of 21 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED.
• Bachelor's Degree preferred in Outdoor/Environmental education, Environmental/sustainability science, Recreation Management, or any related field.
• Exceptional writing skills and program design experience.
• Experience preferred in one or more of the following areas: archery, canoeing/kayaking, camping, fire building, plant identification, foraging, fishing, outdoor skills, etc. 
• Must have child development knowledge and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Must have a TB Test by Mantoux method, HIV/AIDS/BBP awareness, and Food Handler’s Permit prior to start.
• First Aid, Pediatric CPR/AED, Child Abuse and Mandatory Reporting training, and a background check before supervising children.

BENEFITS FROM DAY 1:

• Free YMCA household membership

Your other benefits will be (waiting period applies):

• 8 paid federal holidays a year (full-time benefited employees to be eligible)
• Paid Sick & Vacation Day (accrual begins from day-1, eligible to use after 90-days)
• 2 paid personal days & 1 paid birthday per year
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance (full-time benefited employees to be eligible)
• 403 (b) Retirement Employer Match (after 2 years with 1,000 hours)
• Life insurance, and more! (full-time benefited employees to be eligible)
• Additional bilingual, premium pay of $0.50 for those who are fluent bilingual Spanish, Triqui, Mixtec, Russian and Ukrainian speakers. Ability to write or translate written materials is not required to receive this premium.