Primary Objective

Assists in the development and facilitation of outdoor programming on and off-campus including, but not limited to, LandSea pre-orientation, winter and spring break trips, and other trips and events throughout the year. This is a full-time, exempt, year-round, benefits-eligible position. The position requires significant periods of travel with students – about 60 field days per year – including 30+ consecutive days on the LandSea pre-orientation trip in the Adirondacks of New York, 10 consecutive days for winter and spring break trips, and occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.

Responsibilities

The individual in this position will work closely with the Director, Outdoor and Environmental Coordinator, and Outdoor Leadership Training Center Coordinator, to:

• Contribute to the overall vision and direction of the Outdoor Programs office.
• Shared responsibility in the continued risk management review and development of policy and procedures.
• Help to develop outdoor leadership training for students and employees and serve as lead facilitator and trip leader for the two-week LandSea Trip Leader Training in the Adirondacks of New York.
• Assist in teaching outdoor Physical Education classes and assess the feasibility of developing other academic or extracurricular outdoor classes or trips.
• Instruct 14 days of wilderness medicine, first aid/CPR, or outdoor skill workshops for the Outdoor Leadership Training Center per year.
• Hire, train, and supervise student employees (5-10 individuals) throughout the year.
• Manage, inventory, purchase, repair, and maintain all equipment and supplies for trips and equipment rental.
• Organize logistics, food purchases, permits, reservations, and work with park officials to plan and implement Outdoor Programs trips.
• Operate within and effectively communicate with numerous departments on campus.
• Identify opportunities to stimulate interdepartmental curricular and student engagement and foster partnerships and collaborations with local organizations and entities.
• Update and manage the Outdoor Programs and LandSea websites as needed.
• This is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. The position may encompass other tasks not listed here, including the opportunity to develop additional trips and/or programming.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Outdoor Education, Environmental Education, Recreation, Outdoor Leadership or equivalent field plus two seasons of outdoor education trip leading or guiding experience on multi-day programs. Or a Bachelor’s degree and five or more seasons of outdoor education trip leading or guiding experience on multi- day experiences.
• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR certifications or willingness to acquire same or higher level (can be provided).
• Experience as a guide, trip leader, and/or outdoor educator in diverse locations on multi-day trips.
• Extensive personal and professional experience in rock climbing and teaching rock climbing, including certification at Single Pitch Instructor or higher, or equivalent training and experience.
• Ability to engage in extensive physical activities necessary to lead and participate in wilderness trips, including maintaining and moving outdoor equipment, lifting 50 pounds and traveling by foot over varied terrain.
• Demonstrated experience with creating policies, processes, and managing budgets, preferably in an outdoor education or guiding program.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, PowerPoint) and WordPress website content management system, or willingness to obtain same.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Strong experience and ability to operate 12 passenger vans with trailers.
• Valid driver’s license, no more than 2 moving violations during the last 3 years, and no serious driving convictions in the last 5 years in accordance with College insurance requirements.
• Knowledge, skills, and experience in facilitating group development activities, wilderness medical care, backpacking, paddling, hiking, climbing/rappelling, and other wilderness-related activities.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice principles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional outdoor training or certifications, i.e. LNT, AMGA/PCIA, ACA, Swiftwater Rescue, etc.
• Ability to provide training or certification in the above organizations or other organizations.
• Two year’s experience working in an administrative position, preferably within an outdoor context.
• Experience working in education, non-profit organizations or higher education.

Application Instructions

Applicants are asked to upload a resume and cover letter. A list of references will be requested of semi-finalist candidates. Completed applications received by January 10, 2025, will receive full consideration, with later applications reviewed as needed until the position is filled. The target start date for successful candidate will be March 1, 2025.

Benefits

Who we are

Outdoor Programs

The office of Outdoor Programs offers exciting opportunities at all times of the year for students. There are exciting program opportunities for an afternoon, a day, a weekend, or for longer expeditions over winter and spring breaks!

Kalamazoo College

Kalamazoo College is a highly selective nationally regarded liberal arts college, offering an integrated undergraduate experience that weaves a traditional liberal arts curriculum into educational experiences in both domestic and international settings with the majority of our graduates participating in study abroad. Kalamazoo College is committed to the liberal arts and sciences, experiential education, freedom of individual conscience and celebration of diversity and inclusion. It is one of the nation’s 100 oldest colleges and universities and a thought leader and innovator in higher education.

The campus of Kalamazoo College is located midway between Chicago and Detroit in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a metropolitan community of 261,000, which supports multiple college and university campuses along with numerous civic arts and cultural associations and sports teams. Thirty-five miles from Lake Michigan, the area offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation, a walkable downtown, outstanding restaurants, and plenty of family-friendly activities.

Kalamazoo College encourages candidates who will contribute to the cultural diversity of the College to apply and to identify themselves if they wish. An equal opportunity employer, Kalamazoo College is committed to equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal protection under the law. Please be invited to review our full EEO statement by visiting https://www.kzoo.edu/about/nondiscrimination-policy/. Kalamazoo College is an E-Verify participating employer. Please select Notice and Rights for more information.