Outdoor School Assistant Director

Job Overview

POSITION SUMMARY

The Outdoor School (ODS) Assistant Director(s) work in collaboration with the ODS Director, Equity and Engagement DIrector, and ODS Coordinator to provide equitable, land-based Outdoor School programs. The Assistant Director will be responsible for: co-leading overnight programs on-site starting in March or April and ending in June; managing supplies and logistics; assisting in developing curriculum and program policies; and assisting the director to hire, train, and support staff. The position responsibilities may change due to public health recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contact the Outdoor School Coordinator with questions about this position at [email protected].

OUTDOOR SCHOOL ASSISTANT DIRECTOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Co-lead overnight COS programs on-site, currently at Camp Lutherwood Oregon
• Facilitate COVID-19 protocols, arrival, meals, campfire, games, activities, staff and volunteer meetings, and departure while on site at programs
• Accommodate the needs of all youth, staff, and volunteers, especially folx who are BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, English language learners, and who have disabilities and/or chronic illnesses
• Support staff on site with student needs, like first-aid, conflict resolution, homesickness, instructional methods, and group management 
• Maintain collaborative relationships with site partners and manage site caretaking responsibilities, i.e., cleaning, materials management, land use, and hazards
• Organize, purchase, and maintain record of all ODS program supplies and inventory
• Assist in hiring and onboarding staff, following equitable hiring practices 
• Work collaboratively to create and lead staff & volunteer training; Coach staff & volunteers to engage students in ODS activities using trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches
• Create program resources for staff, students, and volunteers; work collaboratively with other COS leaders to make preparations for successful program implementation
• Implement and improve student-centered curriculum and programming, including land-based field studies, student electives, social emotional learning activities, and community building
• Fill in as an instructor, leading groups of students, if scheduled staff and subs are unavailable to work
• Fulfill all Oregon Outdoor School requirements in Senate Bill 439; Meet science and equity standards 

Note to potential applicants: Research shows that BIPOC folx, trans and non-binary folx, and women are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe that they meet every qualification listed in a job description. Your skills, experience, and education can come from personal interests, self-directed learning, community roles, and life experiences. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are interested in the position, even if you do not believe that you meet all of the qualifications.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with youth in formal or informal learning environments 
• Interest and transferable skills to lead overnight outdoor youth programs and develop engaging curriculum and activities
• Ability to support staff and volunteers to lead outdoor learning and community building experiences, using leadership skills like compassion, trust-building, flexibility, patience, and problem-solving 
• Adaptability to meet students, volunteers, and staff where they are at with sensitivity to life experiences and needs; Commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all
• Strong skills in self-awareness and self-motivation to achieve work goals while meeting personal needs; ability to practice active listening and critical self-reflection to make personal and program improvements 
• Ability and interest to work on multiple administrative projects simultaneously to meet deadlines, including resource development; materials management; and staff hiring, training, and support
• Ability to work outdoors in all non-hazardous weather conditions 

OTHER DESIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS (NOT REQUIRED)

• Proficiency or fluency in Spanish, ASL, Braille, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Japanese, French and/or Arabic
• Education or experience in equity work, outdoor education, human development, or educational theory
• Skills or knowledge in ecology, culture, conservation, wilderness skills (fire, journaling, navigation, shelter, archery), music, crafting, teambuilding, or storytelling
• Experience teaching or coordinating youth programs during the COVID-19 pandemic

POSITION DETAILS

To apply, complete the online form https://forms.gle/d6kyWazXRevifZFf8 by Jan. 16. We rate candidates based on their resume and application responses. Provide detailed answers to the bio and skills questions.  

Hiring timeline & process: Whole Earth follows equitable hiring practices. We anonymize all materials to reduce bias and rate candidates using a standard rubric with categories: Youth Development, Outdoor Programing, Mentorship and Leadership, Project and Administrative Skills, and Equity and Inclusion. The highest-rated candidates will have a phone, video, and/or in-person interview. The anticipated start date is between Feb. 4-21. 

Reports to: Outdoor School Director

Pay Range: $19/hour; $29,640-$39,520 annual pay before taxes, depending on off-season schedule.

Work schedule: This is a .75-1.0 Full Time Equivalency (FTE), year-round position. The assistant director is required to work 40 hours/week March-June for Outdoor School & June-August for Summer Camp. The assistant director will be on-site 1-4 nights a week for ODS programs and may have limited weekend work. September-February work can be done remotely or in the office, with flexibility to work 20-40 hours per week. 

Benefits

• Annual paid leave: At 1.0 FTE: 10 vacation days, 8.65 sick days, 4 holidays, 6 weeks parental leave, 3 bereavement days. The assistant director will receive equivalent paid leave days for less than 1.0 FTE. 
• Stipends and discounts: $150 annual continuing education stipend. Discounts for dependents on Whole Earth programs. Discounts on outdoor gear through “pro-deal” programs.
• Health Insurance: Benefits are negotiable based on need.
• Other: Option to participate in paid Justice Talks community; access to environmental education library

Job location: Work is currently remote until Whole Earth acquires an office in early 2022. Meetings may be held in-person, primarily outdoors, meeting or exceeding all public health recommendations. ODS programs are held at Camp Lutherwood. Summer camp programs are held at various public parks in Eugene & Springfield.

Type of work required: Work will consist of: moving around the program site outdoors to support staff and students (50%), sitting or standing indoors at a desk while using a computer or mobile device (35%), gathering indoors, outdoors, or remotely for meetings, events, and trainings (10%), and visiting Outdoor School sites and attending conferences indoors and outdoors (5%). We will make reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants to perform job functions. The Assistant Director will have occasional in-state and local travel.

Other details: Finalists will complete a criminal history background check. Candidates with disqualifying criminal history set by ODE will not be eligible for this position. Employees must obtain or provide proof of First Aid+CPR certification for adults and children, which can be reimbursed using the continuing education stipend.