Winter Program Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The Winter Program Manager plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth and effective operation of VOBS winter programming. The Winter Program Managers primary focus is to lead the day-to-day functioning of winter basecamp operations support the development and supervision of winter interns and collaborate with the Winter Program Director to maintain the health safety and readiness of the dog yard.

This position is responsible for overseeing all aspects of program operations including transportation logistics technical support basecamp systems intern coordination and contributing to dog yard management.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Leadership

• Collaborate with the Winter Program Director (WPD) to provide community leadership model and uphold VOBS community guidelines.
• Support VOBS equity inclusion and diversity efforts; foster and co-create an equitable and inclusive environment for all staff.
• Live on-site during peak season to support daily operations and community development.

Program Operations and Administration

• Collaborate with the WPD Student Services and Logistics Manager to oversee all program operations in alignment with the mission purpose and core values of Outward Bound.
• Participate in weekly management team meetings with the WPD.
• Provide secondary management of the program board which includes the scheduling and supervision of interns.
• Coordinate airport logistics (100% of the time) and serve as the travel coordinator (at least 50% of the time)
• Work with the WPD to maintain communication with the Facilities Manager regarding the vehicle and trailer fleet routine maintenance and driver training.
• Manage the support schedule (banquets airport days dog runs transports vehicle/trailer use etc.) coordinating individual course needs with the needs of other concurrent courses future courses and in conjunction with the base camps resources.
• Assist the WPD with big-picture oversight of the dog yard including maintenance inventory ordering of dog gear and dog yard supplies (including food) health and safety of the dogs and working with instructors/interns to maintain current standards in the dog yard and on trail.
• Work off of the Winter CD checklist and Winter Program Manager document to support courses students and staff through paperwork flow course documents etc.

Program Quality & Training

• Support course quality and educational outcomes through a variety of methods including staff training field observations and coaching.
• Collaborate with the WPD regarding field staff performance and professional development.
• Assess staff and make recommendations around pairings and promotions.
• Plan and deliver one or more trainings for new and returning staff.
• Deliver additional training(s) as requested throughout the season.
• Course Direct - Supervise 65% of courses during the winter season.
• Field Instruct as needed.
• Oversee the quality safety and efficacy of the support portion of the intern training program ensuring that interns are developing the skills to become instructional staff.
• Facilitate weekly check-ins with individual interns and group check-ins every other week.
• Coach interns on their roles and responsibilities.

Safety Risk Management & Emergency Response

• Participates in the On-Call and Emergency Response team for field communication and emergencies including managing evacuations.
• When the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is enacted this role will have responsibilities as designated by the Program and Safety Directors.
• Activation of VOBS ERP may require staff to work extended hours during the incident sometimes in difficult or uncomfortable environments.
• On-call up to 3.5 days per week.
• Acts as a liaison between VOBS and students guardians in support of and/or in the absence of Course Directors or the Winter Program Director.
• Ensure staff policies and procedures as outlined in the Field Staff Manual are followed and staff are held accountable as needed.
• Works closely with the Director of Safety and Operations to review Policies and Procedures annually.

Other Responsibilities

• Other duties as assigned by the WPD.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES

• Leadership - ability to motivate inspire and mentor others.
• Collaboration - ability to work well with others to complete tasks and meet shared objectives.
• Communication - ability to clearly communicate information in writing and verbally including setting expectations and providing feedback on performance
• Conflict Management - the ability to manage and resolve conflict productively and with minimal negative impact by integrating a diversity of viewpoints brokering compromise/acceptable alternatives.
• Self Management - The ability to set well-defined and realistic personal goals take on and complete assignments in a timely manner and complete work with minimal supervision.
• Judgment and Decision Making ability to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Integrity - demonstrates reliable honest communication and leadership promoting clear expectations and consistency.
• Growth Mindset - ability to learn from experiences and apply learning to solutions.
• Adaptability - ability to adapt to a wide range of circumstances arising continuously.
• Active Listening critical for staff relationship management feedback processes and coaching conversations.
• Relationship Building - able to build strong relationships with a wide range of people using emotional intelligence listening skills and empathy.

SKILLS

• Education and Training - can develop and deliver training curriculum both in the wilderness and the classroom.
• Time Management & Prioritizationmaintain an effective work schedule that aligns
• priorities and tasks to program goals.
• Organization - ability to process and manage large amounts of detailed information accurately.
• Administrative - familiarity with computer-based systems like Google (email Drive etc) and Microsoft Word/Excel. Experience with Salesforce is a plus.
• Decisiveness - ability to make decisions and effectively share them with others often in a quick paced environment.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• 3 years experience in an outdoor education field or any similar combination of education and experience.
• Possesses strong technical skills in expedition cross country skiing dog sledding and winter camping (preferably in the VOBS Ely Winter Program).
• Wilderness First Responder certification.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.
• Able to participate in vigorous to moderate physical activity including but not limited to cross country skiing dogsledding chopping wood caring for sled dogs etc. and maintain ample energy strength and focus to aid students and instructor(s) with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Ability to perform activities such as lifting crawling bending carrying and pulling with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Mental resilience sufficient to endure occasional physically and/or emotionally difficult situations including but not limited to: working with staff students or parents in emotionally charged circumstances.
• Communicate information and ideas so that others can understand; understand the speech of another person.
• Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform essential functions. If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participant in the recruitment and selection process please include this information in your application.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time seasonal exempt position extending from November 3 2025 thru March 20 of 2026.

Salary range of $41000 to $53560 per year pro-rated based on months worked in the position. Monthly salary range of approximately $3415 to $4463 per month.

Room and board pro-deal sick time eligible employee assistance plan (EAP) eligible to participate in VOBS 403(b) retirement plan with a 2% company match.

Great role for those seeking to grow their managerial skills with the support and mentorship of other senior Outward Bound staff.

Applications due:

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis starting August 15 2025 until filled.