Location: Kalamazoo,MI, USA
Kalamazoo College among the 300 Best Small Employers according to Forbes.
Kalamazoo College is a community of students, faculty, staff and alumni who are committed to making an exceptional place to learn, live, and work. Kalamazoo College is committed to a sense of belonging and strives to support inclusivity. Individuals who share similar commitments are invited to apply for employment.
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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
Kalamazoo College is proud of offer a robust and reliable slate of benefits. A continued goal is to maximize our benefits while minimizing costs to employees, families, and the College. Click here to learn more.
15 paid holidays per year; 10 paid vacation days in the first year of employment (20 days by year three); Additional sick and bereavement days;
Other employment benefits include the ability to audit classes at Kalamazoo College, tuition remission for qualifying dependents, employee wellness fitness classes, and many other benefits; Wilderness medicine certification or re-certification opportunities; Professional development opportunities; Flexible schedule outside of trip times.
Medical Insurance
ASR Health Benefits
Choice of two PPO plans with options for double and family coverage. Both plans include prescription drug benefits. Robust support for behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, and chronic condition management.
Dental Insurance
ASR Health Benefits
Includes options for double and family coverage.
Vision Insurance
ASR Health Benefits
Includes options for double and family coverage.
Supplemental Insurance
Unum
Voluntary accident insurance
Tax-Advantaged Accounts
Burnham & Flower
Health Care FSA
Dependent Care FSA
Life and ADD Insurance
Unum
Basic life insurance - Employer paid
Voluntary life and ADD - Employee paid
Disability Insurance
Unum
Long- and Short-term disability insurance - employer paid
403(b) Retirement Plan
TIAA
With automatic enrollment and an employer match
Employee Assistance Program
Behavioral Health Services
Available to all employees and their household members at no cost
Benefits Concierge
Acrisure Benefits Group
Assistance in navigating complex employee benefit situations at no cost
Additional Benefits and Perks
Paid time off
Paid holidays
Intentional community-building efforts
More Details
Visit our complete Benefits Guide for more information
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 Kalamazoo College is an E-Verify participating employer. Please select Notice and Rights for more information.