Program Manager

Wild Society (wildsociety.org) is a wilderness education nonprofit based in Kitsap County in Washington State. Our mission is to cultivate wonder and belonging in the natural world. Wild Society runs a variety of programs including Backpacking Camps, Junior Naturalist day programs, Adult & Family trips, and partner programs with other local nonprofits and community organizations. Our community of guides is made up of a variety of ages, professional and personal backgrounds, and skill sets. Wild Society prioritizes diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer and we encourage individuals from all cultures and communities to apply, especially BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color), women, non-cis-gendered people, and other people underrepresented in outdoor organizations. In ecosystems and human societies alike, we know that diversity makes communities stronger. Thank you for considering joining us.

Job Overview

Principal Responsibilities: 

• Coordinate logistics for programs including food purchasing and packing, gear management, transportation, registration, and staff scheduling. 
• Manage permits and reservations with land management agencies, ensure compliance with local regulations, and maintain relationships with agencies.
• Plan and facilitate staff training, facilitate pre-trip meetings and post-trip debriefs, and support staff in the field.
• Communicate with families and participants before, during, and after programs to ensure a positive experience and provide necessary information. 
• Serve as emergency contact for trips, communicating with guides & families. Assist with bus cleaning/maintenance, transportation to and from trailhead, and bus shuttle as needed.
• Collaborate with partner organizations to implement custom programming.
• Monitor compliance with Wild Society’s policies and procedures, ensuring that all staff and participants adhere to safety guidelines, risk management procedures, and curriculum standards, and track incident reports and other reporting to identify areas for improvement.
• Work with staff to continually reexamine organizational practices around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Special Benefits

Compensation and Benefits: 

$21.50/hour. This is a full-time, seasonal, non-exempt position, with a backcountry guide rate of $172/day. Benefits include:

• $25/day emergency contact on-call stipend. 
• Reimbursement for WFR recertification.  
• Reimbursement for personal mileage for Wild Society programs.
• Paid sick leave accrues hourly, at 1hr for every 40 hrs worked.
• Access to gear, equipment, and trip planning support for outdoor adventures.
• If needed, we can assist in finding low cost housing.

Minimum Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Strong sense of personal relationship with the natural world.
• Two years experience teaching (especially outdoors).
• One year experience managing staff and/or volunteers.
• Experience backpacking, camping, hiking, etc.
• Current Wilderness First Responder certification or ability to obtain prior to start.
• Ability to pass a comprehensive background check upon acceptance of position.
• Comfortable driving a 15 passenger mini bus, must be 21 years of age or older and maintain a good driving record. 
• Excellent communication skills and ability to think creatively.
• Experience working with people from different backgrounds, willingness to listen and learn.
• Demonstrated commitment to and consideration of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in all organizational decisions and development. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in program design and implementation. 
• Backpack guiding experience. 
• Knowledge of the Olympic Mountains and Kitsap County. 
• Creative, collaborative, and self-directed mindset.
• Ability to operate at multiple operational levels—both big picture and details.

Expectations and Commitment: 

• 30-50 hours per week, seasonal June 1st -September 8th, 2023
• Some evenings and weekends required.
• Must have a personal vehicle and valid drivers license.