Overview
The Course Director works under the supervision of the Program Management Team to oversee the safety, quality, and educational effectiveness of all courses. This includes overseeing and managing all pre-course and post-course work. Primary responsibilities include supervising and evaluating Instructors, managing technical student sites, and overseeing all logistical details of courses in the field.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Delivery & Implementation
Serve as the primary resource and mentor for instructors, ensuring courses of high educational quality, designed and conducted according to national and charter operating policies and procedures.
Schedule and facilitate course planning to ensure all courses are designed according to OB design principles, VOBS education consistencies, age progression and partner/OE goals.
Oversee instructors in the field including field checks, logistics coordination, emergency communications and coordination, and technical site management.
Facilitate course debrief, complete all course paperwork, and oversee equipment check in and wrap up.
Develop field staff through mentorship, feedback and pairing meetings, and in-service training.
Instruct staff training to help instructors develop individual, technical and educational skills.
Maintain professional communication between VOBS staff, students, parents, partners and chaperones during pre-course, course, and wrap up. This includes emergency situations.
Reconnaissance of new course areas.
Assist in the refinement and educational effectiveness of VOBS programming.
Ensure course documentation and data retention from students & staff is delivered according to expectations.
Community Development
Role model participating in and belonging to a culture where all students and staff feel a sense of belonging.
Provide clear, effective and timeline communication with field staff regarding performance, including strengths and areas for growth.
Deliver workshops and trainings as requested.
Student Supervision & Safety
Identify, assess and manage environmental, physical, social and emotional risk during all course activities.
Adhere to local and national operating procedures, safety policies and emergency procedures as outlined in the field staff manual.
Review incident reports and other course documentation
Manage student emotional and physical safety in times of duress, such as field emergencies.
Maintain professional presence and relations at sites, and with parents, program delivery partners and public interactions.
Support VOBS Twin Cities Center on-call field response system. This could include paddling or hiking to evacuate an injured student from the wilderness, answering the emergency field line, and preparing food and gear for evacuation teams.
May be required to step into Lead Instructor role as program and staffing needs indicate.
Qualifications:
21 years of age - Valid Driver's License - WFR and CPR certified - Wilderness Water Safety or Active Lifeguard Certified ~ 2 + years experience instructing courses in the outdoor education / experiential education field -Preference for Whitewater canoeing skills, including knowledge of hazards in Class I-II environments (Swiftwater Rescue training or the ability to obtain training after employment).
Required Skills:
Mental resilience sufficient to endure occasional physically and/or emotionally difficult situations, including but not limited to: working with staff, students, partners, chaperones or parents in emotionally charged circumstances.
Ability to participate in vigorous to moderate physical activity including but not limited to backpacking, paddling, portaging, running, carrying canoes overland, swimming, rock climbing and kayaking.
Must be able to participate in all site and course activities
Preferred Skills:
Self Management - The ability to set well-defined and realistic personal goals, take on and complete tasks in a timely manner, and complete work with an appropriate level of supervision.
Situational Adaptability - The ability to modify approach and demeanor in real time to align with the shifting demands of different situations. The ability to "read the room" and adjust accordingly.
Teaching Others - Directing Others - Organization - Risk Management
About Voyageur Outward Bound School
We challenge you to change a life.
We challenge you to change your community.
We challenge you to change the world!
The need for leaders of character and compassion is great.
For over 60 years, Voyageur Outward Bound School (VOBS) has changed lives through challenge and discovery. We know that personal discovery leads to positive transformation. Our students grow character and compassion through nature-based adventure. Our vision is more resilient and compassionate people for a more resilient and compassionate world.
Voyageur Outward Bound School is a charter of Outward Bound USA, the leading provider of experiential education for youth and adults. We design and deliver intensive single-day and extended wilderness expedition experiences that build and develop character, leadership and service through shared experience.
VOBS delivers high impact programs across two sites: Twin Cities Center in St Paul MN & Homeplace Wilderness Basecamp in Ely, MN.
