Associate Director, Human Resources & Recruiting

With over 50 years of innovation in experiential and outdoor education in the Pacific Northwest, Northwest Outward Bound School (NWOBS) continues to change lives through challenge and discovery. Our transformative and educational wilderness courses are set in some of the most dramatic and stunning parts of the United States. NWOBS was founded in 1965 and facilitates wilderness-based programs in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, and also serves urban youth and schools in the Portland metropolitan area. As an Outward Bound School, we are committed to the core values of compassion, integrity, excellence, equity, inclusion and diversity, and strive to achieve the following outcomes: building character, developing leadership skills, and creating an ethic of social and environmental responsibility.

Job Overview

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Human Resources & Recruiting (AD-HR&R) is a newly created, full-time position responsible for the overall management of outreach, recruitment, hiring, onboarding, documenting, and retention efforts for NWOBS seasonal and year-round program staff.

The AD-HR&R serves as the point of contact for all new staff applicants, including international applicants pursuing a J-1 visa. The AD-HR&R is an integral member of NWOBS Staffing Team and collaborates regularly with Programs Directors at our wilderness basecamps and our Public Schools Program to support school-wide hiring and recruitment priorities.

The successful candidate will have past training and experience in equity, inclusion, and diversity work, particularly through an HR and hiring lens. This remote/hybrid position is based in the Pacific Northwest, in close proximity to Portland, OR, Redmond, OR, or Mazama, WA. Compliance with our current COVID-19 Vaccination Policy is required for all NWOBS employees.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

• Develop staff recruitment and retention strategies with NWOBS Staffing Team.
• Consult Program Directors and Staffing Team on annual hiring needs.
• Manage program staff job descriptions and postings, including keeping NWOBS website updated with recruitment materials and job openings while using an EID lens.
• Maintain communication with all new staff throughout the hiring and onboarding process.
• Initiate the rehire process for all returning staff in consultation with Program Directors.
• Recruit applicants via social media sharing, job boards and postings.
• Disperse new applications to Program Directors and assist with coordinating interviews.
• Collect, review, and release data and statistics relevant to the hiring selection process.
• Serve as an NWOBS representative at job fairs and other tabling events, focusing on hiring program staff and enrolling adult/semester students.
• Grow existing relationships with universities, OBUSA and other organizations to support hiring goals. Prioritize relationships with partners that can attract diverse staff.

Recruiting, Hiring, and Onboarding

• Project annual hiring goals for seasonal program staff to support high-quality programming; collaborate with Program Directors (PDs), Associate Program Directors (APDs), Senior Director, Programs & Safety, and the Director of Business Operations to meet those goals.
• Prioritize building relationships with organizations among historically underrepresented and disinvested communities – Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and the LGBTQ+ community – to intentionally diversify the employee population at NWOBS and reduce barriers to access for jobs in the outdoor industry.
• Manage field staff job descriptions and postings, including keeping NWOBS’ website updated with recruitment materials and job postings; critically review the language used in describing our program staff roles and requirements for qualification from an equity and inclusion lens.
• Oversee the application and hiring process for new instructional, support, and intern positions, utilizing an objective rubric to assess applications.

Staff Development and Administration

• Manage the annual employment paperwork process for new and returning staff, ensuring all field staff paperwork is distributed, collected, processed, and documented properly.
• Serve as a point of contact with OBUSA for international applicants, including visa, tax, and social security paperwork.
• Document the advancement process of field staff. Ensure proper documentation is posted/accessible prior to promotion.
• Help identify general training and development needs for program staff.
• Travel to basecamps to meet with/support staff during Annual All Staff and Town Hall events.
• Manage workers compensation claim submissions for seasonal program staff.
• Represent NWOBS on monthly staffing calls with OBUSA and regional schools.

Special Benefits

Compensation & Benefits

• This is a full-time, year-round, salaried position.
• Salary is commensurate with experience within Northwest Outward Bound School’s annual range of $45,000-$55,000.
• The benefits package includes comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance (75% of premium is employer-paid), 120 hours of Paid Time Off in the first year, up to 12 weeks of paid family, medical, or safe leave, and 10 paid holidays each year.
• Free and discounted Employee Assistance Plan services, including 24/7 Crisis line, case coordination, up to 5 counseling sessions per occurrence valued at $$1,000 per case, well-being coaching, and screened referrals for childcare, eldercare, legal, financial services.
• Professional development opportunities, including $250/year toward external training, as well as in-house training on Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity, Mental Health First Aid, Sexual Misconduct Prevention, and other role-specific training.
• 50% tuition discount for staff and family members on NWOBS courses.
• Industry pro deals and discounts from top outdoor gear providers.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge and Skills

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in human resources, hiring, and/or recruiting is required. Previous experience working with a seasonal workforce is a plus.
• Experience with HRIS, database and project management systems are highly desirable.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; able to multitask and prioritize effectively.
• Strong personal motivation, initiative, follow-through, and commitment.
• Personal commitment to, and working knowledge of, diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
• Commitment to giving and receiving both positive and constructive feedback.
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively as a team member.
• Detail oriented with outstanding organizational skills.
• Personal and professional values consistent with NWOBS mission, values, and principles.
• Effective communication skills with internal and external audiences.
• Able to work effectively in a dynamic environment. Flexible, adaptable, and open to change.
• Proficient with PC in Windows environment with Microsoft Suite ©.
• Proficient with Google Drive applications such as Docs, Sheets, and Email.