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We are committed to reflecting the diverse communities with whom we work and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ identifying folks, and women to apply. Application closes when position is filled. Please apply with a cover letter and resume.

Position Description

As the Interim Associate Program Director in the High Sierra, you will be stepping in to support a dynamic program team mid-season. An ideal candidate would have experience supporting the day-to-day management of wilderness programs, and would be a strong candidate for the permanent position, which we will open in October. 

This summer, in collaboration with the management team, you would provide leadership, administrative support, and oversight of the High Sierra program. Your responsibilities would include mentoring our Program Managers and 45+ expedition staff, supervising courses, ensuring quality training, community building, and overseeing aspects of business management. Reporting to the High Sierra Program Director, you contribute to the success of OBCA's mission by ensuring the effective delivery of our wilderness programs and fostering a safe and inclusive environment for staff and students.

Does this not quite sound like you?

Depending on our candidate pool, we may hire a summer Program Manager to support our team instead of an Associate Program Director. If a Program Manager position is more in alignment with your career goals, click here to learn more.

Compensation & Schedule

• This is an exempt, salaried position of approximately 3-4 months of full-time work (June 1st - Sept 30th)
• Start date flexible
• The permanent APD position will open in October, with the possibility of the Interim APD moving seamlessly into the permanent role, which is half-time from October 1 - March 31
• Monthly salary range starting from $3,800 - $4300/month FTE depending on experience

Benefits

• OBCA offers a competitive benefits package, including comprehensive health insurance with employer contribution, PTO, long-term disability and life insurance, Flexible Spending Account, Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), Accident Insurance, and 401(k) plan with 3% match after 1 year from start date
• Pro Deal, the opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at discounted rates
• Rustic housing is provided during the program season with the possibility to caretake over the winter
• Food is provided during the program season

Location

This position is located at our High Sierra program base in Midpines, California, in the Sierra Nevada foothills 30 miles east of Yosemite National Park. High summer temperatures can reach 80-100+ degrees Fahrenheit. The basecamp has a main building with an office, warehouse, and commercial kitchen. Other buildings throughout include administrative and field staff housing and communal areas.

Who We Are

We are Outward Bound California (OBCA). Through challenging outdoor experiences, we teach social-emotional skills like teamwork, leadership, confidence, and compassion. We offer a wide range of programs, including high/low ropes activities at our San Francisco Challenge Course and multi-day rock climbing/backpacking trips in the High Sierra or Joshua Tree. Our programs help our participants (ages 12+, including adults and veterans) embrace challenges and reflect on how they want to contribute to their communities and the world. 

We are a part of the Outward Bound USA network with a 60-year history in the US as a leading provider of outdoor education. OBCA is a non-profit and is committed to increasing access for those who have traditionally been excluded from outdoor spaces. We work towards this goal with our 40 community partners and by offering scholarships to more than half of our students. Keep learning more about us here.

Check out what our staff and students have to say about our High Sierra programs in this video.

Equity and Inclusion Statement

OBCA strives to create an equitable and inclusive culture where all staff members feel respected for their identities and lived experiences. We work to build a culture where we are always learning and growing toward a vision for equity and belonging for all staff. We are looking for team members who can actively join us in this process and strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ+ identifying folks, and women to apply.

Who You Are

Outward Bound California does not expect every applicant to have every skill and qualification listed here. If you have 75% of the following qualifications, we encourage you to submit an application.

Skills and Experience

• Passionate about Outward Bound’s mission, programs, and course activities.
• Have a deep understanding and personal commitment to equity and inclusion in the outdoors and can mentor staff in this topic.
• Great organizational skills, self-motivated, and flexible.
• Works both independently and cooperatively, and can balance multiple projects at a time.
• Effective communicator with the ability to give and receive both positive and constructive feedback.
• Proficient with computer systems, primarily G Suite (Gmail, Google Docs, Drive, and Calendar).
• Proficient in backpacking in alpine environments

Education and Work Experience

• Experience with Outward Bound or other wilderness expeditionary programs (NOLS multi-day course or equivalent).
• Have 3-5 years’ experience in the outdoor education/experiential learning field, a Bachelor’s degree and/or or any similar combination of education and experience

Physical & Mental Requirements

• Able to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity, including but not limited to backpacking.
• Able to lift and move a minimum of 40 lbs.
• Comfortable sitting or standing at a desk or computer 80% of time or greater.
• Able to maintain composure, exercise sound judgment, and decision-making, and assess and mitigate risk under periods of stress.

Certification & License Requirements (by Start Date)

• Current WFR/CPR/CA Epi Auto-Injector certification 
• Have had a valid US or Canadian driver’s license for at least three years

Onboarding Requirements

• Willing to authorize a federal & Live Scan background check, MVR check, and provide current (within the last 4 years) negative TB screen or test results upon hire (cost of all screening paid for or reimbursed by OBCA)

Bonus if you…

• Hold an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor or higher certification.
• Have experience in the Outward Bound Course Director role.
• Have experience with curriculum development with an equity focus. 
• Have Salesforce experience.
• Have previous supervisory experience

Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Collaborate as a member of the High Sierra management team to determine and fulfill program needs, goals and strategies.
• In collaboration with the Program Director, supervise, mentor and develop Program Managers and Course Directors. Additional duties include mentorship, development, and implementation of staff training & course curriculum.
• Ensure that course quality remains true to OBCA mission and educational outcomes. 
• Coordinate and ensure follow-through of the feedback system and implementation of change between the expedition and logistical staff and program team.
• In coordination with the program team, plan community events and gatherings.

• Be a mentor and role model of best practices in the community and workplace at all times, including when when interacting with outside agencies and people
• Ensure that all Forest Service, National Park and other land management policies and procedures are known and followed by staff. Oversee permit scheduling and campground reservations revisions throughout the summer season. In conjunction with the Program Director, renew and revise commercial use agreements with land agencies.
• In coordination with the program team, conduct and oversee staff development, including both pre-season and end of season interviews with staff.
• Support the Logistics Manager in ensuring program quality and safety in all program resources and vehicles, including scheduling charter vehicles, managing field technology, and scheduling horse packers.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Safety & Risk Management

• Support in critical incident responses & on-call system, which may require after work hours and happen during scheduled time off. There are times where the Associate Program Director will be the local Incident Commander.
• Ensure accurate and complete incident reporting for courses.
• In coordination with the Program Director, create the content and delivery methods for course safety briefings.
• If the applicant has technical rock climbing skills and program needs dictate, they may take on oversight of our climbing programs.
• Uphold Outward Bound’s zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect as protecting our minor students against abuse and neglect is of the highest priority.

Site Support

• In coordination with the management team, support on site students when needed and oversee supervision and coordination of early departures.
• Coordinate student transports with the Logistics Manager & logistics department.
• Participate in basecamp set-up and take-down. Participate in daily community meetings and chores. Ensure that all facilities are kept at the highest possible condition.

Business Management

• Coordinate the collection and proper filing and dissemination of course paperwork. Ensure that course paperwork is completed with excellence.
• Ensure proper recording of financial transactions
• Submit monthly expense reports. Track and manage all personal expenses and petty cash.
• Oversee and track specific and relevant line items of the program budget.
• Oversee, maintain, and update all course paperwork & materials as needed
• In conjunction with the Logistics Manager manage all OBCA logo’d course materials.

• Conduct supervisory visits to field operation sites as needed.
• Document and update procedures and manuals to ensure effective delivery of OBCA mission and outcomes.

Outward Bound California is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Outward Bound California also promotes respect for all people, and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics.