Overview
The Program Coordinator is responsible for assisting the Director of Outdoor Education in the overall management of the Catlin Gabel Outdoor Program, a co-curricular program mostly serving 6-12th grade students. The Coordinator works with adolescents and serves as a positive role model of expedition behavior, leadership, and stewardship for them. The position combines program coordination with leadership of student trips and activities. The Coordinator works closely with the Director to build on a successful program that aims to integrate Outdoor Education into the lives of all students at Catlin Gabel School. The Coordinator models Outdoor Education field leadership and student development, applying an equity lens with the goal of ensuring an inclusive environment in which all students feel able to participate. This person plays an important role in the rhythm of Middle and Upper School life, resulting in regular interactions with teachers, staff, volunteers, parents, and students. There is considerable autonomy in designing trips and activities, in consultation with the Director of Outdoor Education. This is a physically demanding job requiring flexibility in schedule, including weekends & extended out-of-town trips.
Assist in the overall administration of the program, including:
Creating and implementing systems of organization to manage the complexities of a large Outdoor Education program
Maintaining professional and positive relationships with Catlin Gabel students, parents, volunteers, employees, local service providers, and land managers of operating areas
Overseeing the condition and maintenance of current gear, including conducting repairs, tracking gear condition, and prioritizing gear acquisitions
Assist in the educational design of the program, including:
Creating curriculum for wilderness trips and overseeing PE-credit after-school programs
Promoting the program’s goals and priorities for various stakeholders and audiences
Acting as a resource to Catlin Gabel employees on best practices for experiential learning, risk management, and creating inclusive group cultures
Manage all aspects of the school’s low elements challenge course, including tracking participation and use, staff training, and annual inspections
Assistant in the supervision of field staff, including:
Providing logistical & curricular support to staff and faculty leading trips
Assuring consistency of program practices related to inclusion, risk management, land management, & curriculum delivery
Organize & lead trips, that include a wide range of OE experience, including, but not limited to, backpacking, whitewater boating, rock climbing, caving, mountaineering, biking, Nordic and backcountry skiing, & sea kayaking. Create and maintain physically and emotionally safe learning environments for students & staff on trips
Complete pre and post-trip tasks with detail & professionalism, oversee field staff in these tasks
Regular collaboration with colleagues
Qualifications:
BA in Outdoor Education or recreation, education, leadership, environmental sciences, or related
Minimum 3 yrs of experience leading adolescents in outdoor/wilderness settings
WFR or equivalent prior to hire or within 90 days
Experience with Outdoor Education curriculum development
Experience & training in a significant portion of program activities, such as whitewater, climbing, sea kayaking, mountaineering, backpacking, biking, skiing, leadership, etc
CPR & valid OR driver's license
Required Skills:
Mobility to traverse 67-acre campus to accompany & assure children’s safety, which may include moving up and down stairs or hills between facilities multiple times per day
Willing and able to work a physically demanding position, frequently outdoors in variable weather conditions
Willing and available to work over weekends
Sitting, walking, stooping, lifting up to 65 pounds.
Ability to demonstrate and actively participate in wilderness activities
Regularly drives students off campus
Preferred Skills:
Deep understanding of industry standards & safety protocols for leading youth
Demonstrate a genuine interest in the welfare of students
Ability to work with adolescents in remote wilderness environments while prioritizing their physical and emotional safety
Demonstrate strong cultural responsivity skills, a learner’s mindset, and the ability to be level-headed, especially in the face of significant objective and subjective challenges
Excellent organizational & time management skills
(See more on website)
About Catlin Gabel School
Catlin Gabel School seeks to employ the best-qualified individuals from available applicants and to provide them with opportunities for advancement in a manner that does not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal equal employment opportunity laws or regulations.
The School believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to the school’s success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.
