Wilderness Program Manager
Posted & Active as of 10/11/2021

To Apply: Send Resume/CV and cover letter to Adam@rippleffect.net

DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION

Rippleffect’s Wilderness Programs Manager (WPM) reports directly to the Program Director and is a member of an integrated program management team whose positions include:

  • Community Partner Program Manager

  • Afterschool and Camp Program Manager 

  • Wilderness Program Manager

The WPM is responsible for the design, structure and implementation of Rippleffect’s open enrollment and privately guided wilderness programs.  These program experiences and training clinics should include (but not limited too):

  • Sea kayaking

  • Hiking/backpacking

  • Rock climbing

  • Ice climbing

  • Alpine mountaineering 

  • General outdoor living

  • Wilderness first aid certification courses 

This position includes operational, administrative and customer service responsibilities as well as technical field guiding and training.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Rippleffect has a community environment workplace, and staff need to have flexibility, a team-oriented approach, positive attitude, sense of humor and the ability to multi-task.  This is a full-time position.  The WPM must be available to work based upon a schedule that may exceed forty (40) hours per workweek and which, in no case, is less than thirty (30) hours per work week.  The incumbent must be able to work weekends and after normal hours as necessary or required by programming. The responsibilities are broken down into scope of management and areas of primary responsibility: 

Scope of Management:

  • Operational planning and risk management for wilderness programs

  • Management of wilderness program equipment

  • Private and Open Enrollment wilderness program product development, recruitment and budget management

  • Management of field staff

  • Staff training, recruitment and cultivation 

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Under direction of PD, manage Open Enrollment Wilderness/Trek/Expedition Programs.   Programs should encompass 4 seasons of adventure experiences and clinic opportunities.  Under the direction of the PD.

  • Assist the PD, to manage RE Guides private guiding and clinic-based programs.  These experiences are offered throughout the year and represent the above offerings/experiences. 

  • Serve as point of contact for all RE Guides programs. 

  • Assist the program director in establishing the necessary staffing plan and cultivating staff to execute this level of wilderness programming.

  • Management of logistical, operational, curricular and recruitment plans and systems for wilderness programs. 

  • Collaboration with PD and other program managers in training of seasonal guides

  • Management and maintenance of wilderness program equipment (with support from operations manager and field staff).

Programmatic Responsibilities

  • Primary contact for all Open Enrollment Wilderness/Trek/Expedition Programs. Includes customer service Q&A, scheduling and fielding all RE Guide inquiries.

  • Responsible for staffing assignments for RE Guide programs and open enrollment treks

  • Staff Training and Cultivation

    • Support PD in identifying staffing structure to implement scope of programming

    • Assist PD in development of comprehensive staff training calendar 

    • Collaborate in staff training with other program managers

    • Lead OR Assist in all other RE wilderness guide trainings 

    • Lead OR Assist in operational trainings regarding expedition pack outs, vehicle use and gear maintenance.

  • Program Development Support

    • Under direction of PD, assist in the development and innovation of open enrollment and privately guided wilderness program offerings to achieve budget goals.

    • Assist program director in program recruitment and marketing and identify new opportunities for messaging and advancement 

 Operational Responsibilities:

  • Gear maintenance and forecasting

  • Working with the operations manager (OM), make proactive recommendations for needed gear acquisitions to support future program needs

  • Identify programmatic gear needs and ensure adequate inventory is present for wilderness programs  

  • Support wilderness program equipment maintenance as needed

  • Working with OM and Island Stewards, ensure all program interface areas (paddling stations, ropes course, pack out areas) are tidy, effective and maintained 

Expedition Planning:

  • Develop itineraries, logistics, time control plans, gear acquisition and ensure communication of dietary information with FSM;

  • Ensure plans and systems for gear pack outs and that equipment is field ready;

  • Communicate time lines for food needs with FSM.  Ensure FSM knows what needs to be ready when; 

  • Support FSM in making expedition food field ready as needed;

  • Identify and Communicate vehicle and transportation needs to Operation Manager for OE expedition programs;

Expedition Implementation:

  • Run guide meetings prior to student arrival

  • Support pack outs for PP Sea Kayak expeditions and OE TREK programs (classic cow only as needed)

  • Communicate with Operations staff about logistics including water/food drops and  ransportation. 

Job Requirements:

  • Overnights and weekends are periodically required--flex scheduling to accommodate for weekend/overnight programs & stipend for overnights provided.

  • Strong background in experiential facilitation in a variety of settings, preferably experience working with middle school populations. Minimum 2 years of experience. 

  • Organized with attention to detail.

  • Able to professionally communicate with diverse audiences and ages with excellent customer service. 

  • Winter guiding experience 

  • Sea Kayak guiding experience 

  • Excellent customer service skills.

  • Current WFR certification (or higher) 

  • Advanced Sea Kayak experience

  • Extensive expeditionary guiding experience

  • Flexible and hardworking

  • Strong attention to detail.

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills; knowledge and utility with Word and Excel . 

Strong consideration given to applicants with the following:

  • Rock/Ice Climbing instruction experience

  • Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) or higher

  • Strong technical ropes knowledge

  • ACA/BCU course experience/instructors

  • Maine State Registered Sea Kayak Guide

Benefits Include:

  • Competitive outdoor/wilderness educator salary

  • Medical insurance/coverage (100%)

  • Gear stipend

  • Access to pro-deal

  • 401k retirement match program

  • Professional development stipend

  • 25 paid holiday days off 

  • Up to 24 days of Earned Paid Time Off (PTO) 

  • Professional development training plan for advanced certifications

To Apply, send resume/CV and Coverletter to: adam@rippleffect.net