This position is closed

Position 

Description

The Program Manager (PM) is a role model and mentor within the Outward Bound Joshua Tree community, providing daily leadership, administrative support, and management of the Joshua Tree basecamp and programming. Responsibilities include: course supervision; ensuring quality training, programming, community building, and some business management, all through an equity lens. This position reports to and works closely with the Southern California Program Director. This opportunity is perfect for the individual looking to work as part of a small but powerful team driving the operations of our growing Joshua Tree program!

Benefits, Compensation & Location

Compensation: 

This is an exempt position with a salary range of $3500-3800 per month. This position is expected to start October 2, 2023, and ends April 18th, 2024.

Benefits:

• Room and board provided during the program season.
• OBCA offers a competitive benefits package, including comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance, enrollment in OBCA’s 401k plan 1 year from start date, Flexible Spending Account, Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), Paid Time Off (PTO), and paid holidays. We also offer opportunities for professional development and pro-deals (the opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at a discounted price).

Location:

• Position is located at the OBCA basecamp in the Joshua Tree area in California

Who We Are

Outward Bound California (OBCA) is a non-profit that uses challenging experiences in outdoor settings to create social-emotional learning opportunities for our students (ages 12 and up, including adults). We offer a wide range of programs, from 1-day experiences on our San Francisco Challenge Course to multi-day rock climbing and backpacking courses in the High Sierra and Joshua Tree. OBCA is committed to increasing access for those that have traditionally been excluded from outdoor spaces. We do this, in part, through our 40+ community partnerships and by offering partial or full scholarships to over 2/3 of our students.

Equity and Inclusion Statement:

We believe that all people should have safe access to the outdoors and culturally relevant and responsive educational programming. OBCA is also striving to create an equitable and inclusive internal culture where all staff members feel represented and honored for their identities and lived experiences. We examine how power, bias, race and other aspects of identity impact our organization. We work to build a culture where we are always learning and improving toward a vision for equity and belonging for all staff. We are looking for team members who can actively join us in this process. We are also committed to reflecting the diverse communities with whom we work and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ identifying folks, and women to apply.  

Who You Are

OBCA does not expect every applicant to have every skill and qualification listed here, and we are committed to the professional development of our employees.  A strong candidate who is interested in growing and learning in this role will possess at least 75% of the following qualifications.  If this is you, then we strongly encourage you to submit an application for consideration.

Knowledge & Skills

• Passionate about Outward Bound California’s mission and programs
• Excellent leadership, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Able to work both independently and as a team member with minimal supervision
• Possess a deep understanding and personal commitment to equity and inclusion in the outdoors with ability to mentor staff in these topics
• Able to prioritize and work on multiple projects simultaneously
• Effective communicator, both written and verbal
• Able to give and receive both positive and constructive feedback
• Proficient with computer systems, primarily G Suite (GMail, Google Docs, Drive, and Calendar)
• Knowledgeable in backpacking and expeditionary travel in desert environments

Education & Work Experience

• Bachelor degree and/or 3-4 years’ experience in the outdoor education/experiential learning field, or any similar combination of education and experience is required
• Outward Bound or other wilderness expeditionary experience (OB, NOLS multi-day course, or equivalent)

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Able to participate in vigorous to moderate physical activity including but not limited to backpacking and rock climbing
• Able to lift and move a minimum of 40 lbs
• Able to sit or stand at a desk for 60% of time or greater
• Able to demonstrate mental stamina, adaptability, and emotional maturity
• Able to maintain composure while exercising sound decision-making and risk assessment, even in persistent adverse conditions such as an unexpected schedule, program changes, long working hours, and uncertainty

Current Licenses & Certifications (Required by Start Date)

• Wilderness First Responder, CPR, and CA EMSA Epinephrine certification

Onboarding Requirements

• Able to pass 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…

• Have experience working at the Joshua Tree basecamp and course areas
• Are an experienced traditional rock climber, have your Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) or other certification through the AMGA
• Have program and partnership development experience
• Have previous management experience
• Have a California Class Class C license with passenger endorsement 

Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Collaborate as a member of the Southern California management team to determine and fulfill program needs, goals, and strategy
• Be a mentor and role model of best practices in the community and workplace at all times in both formal and informal capacities
• Supervise, mentor, and assist in the professional development of Course Directors, Site Managers, and Instructors
• Uphold and follow all internal and partnering agency policies, and hold staff accountable for the same
• Conduct supervisory and coaching visits to field-operation sites as needed
• In coordination with the Program Director, conduct both start of season and end of season interviews with staff

Course Administration

• Conduct and/or coordinate pre- and post-course functions, including communications with Student Services, Course Directors, and additional pre-course and post-course meetings
• Manage all partner relationships, ensuring effective and clear communication regarding course information as well as pre and post course expectations
• Coordinate and ensure follow-through of the feedback system and implementation of change between the field and program team
• Assist in educational and technical training creation, curriculum, assessment, and oversight
• Coordinate the timely and thorough completion of course paperwork; ensure its collection, proper filing, and dissemination to all appropriate parties

Safety & Risk Management

• Uphold Outward Bound’s zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect. Protecting our minor students against abuse and neglect is of the highest priority
• Participate in our incident command and on-call system. There are times where the PM will be the local incident commander and on-call. This may require after work hours and could happen during scheduled time off
• In coordination with the Program Director, create the content and delivery methods for course safety briefings and support the dissemination of quarterly safety reports for all courses
• Coach staff in entering quality incident reports into our database

Site Support

• 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

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.