Associate Director of the Center for Environmental Education

Seeds of Peace Camp; Brunswick (ME); On-site; USD 52,790 - 64,521; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to meals on campus

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

403B retirement plan

Professional development funds

Job summary

An educational institute for environmental learning in Wiscasset, Maine, seeks an experienced Associate Director to manage day and overnight programs. This role involves supporting educators, developing curricula, and ensuring safety in outdoor environments. Candidates should have prior outdoor school experience, strong leadership skills, and a passion for mentoring. This position offers competitive compensation and opportunities for professional development, including the management of unique, transformative learning experiences in nature.

Qualifications

• At least 21 years old and must pass a background check.
• Previous outdoor school and management experience required.
• Experience leading backcountry canoeing or kayaking trips preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage onsite day and overnight programs and support educators.
• Lead staff training sessions and develop inclusive curricula.
• Build relationships with school partners and deliver excellent customer service.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Curriculum development

Outdoor education

Communication

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Google Workspace

Wilderness First Responder certification

Job description

Chewonki’s Center for Environmental Education (CEE) is seeking a dynamic, experienced outdoor education leader to join our team as Associate Director of the Center for Environmental Education. This is a unique opportunity to help shape transformative environmental learning experiences for thousands of participants each year! If you thrive at the intersection of program leadership, curriculum development, staff mentorship, and hands‑on field work, this role offers both responsibility and adventure across all seasons.

• Location: Wiscasset, Maine (On Campus)
• Anticipated Start Date: March, 2026
• Reports to: Director of the Center for Environmental Education
• Salary: $58,656 / Annually
• Benefits: access to meals on campus, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, 403B retirement plan, and access to professional development funds.

About the Center for Environmental Education

The Center for Environmental Education supports Chewonki’s day programs, overnight programs, off‑site programming, team development initiatives, workshops, and trips. Together, we deliver immersive experiences rooted in natural history, outdoor living skills, environmental literacy, and personal growth, all aligned with Chewonki’s mission to foster stewardship of the natural world.

The Role

The Associate Director of CEE focuses on managing onsite day and overnight programs while providing leadership, mentorship, and field support to environmental educators and trip leaders. During the summer, this role also collaborates closely with Camp Chewonki and the Trips program to support backcountry travel and outdoor living skills instruction.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Management

Serve as a core member of the CEE leadership team supporting all CEE programming: day and overnight programs, off‑site programs, workshops, team development, contracted trips, and packout
Provide direct field support to Environmental Education Instructors and Trip Leaders
Participate in an on‑call duty rotation, including overnight campus support when residential programs are in session
Support challenge course facilitation, team development, and rescues as needed

Training & Curriculum Development

Lead planning and implementation of spring and fall CEE staff training
Train staff to industry standards and Chewonki operating procedures
Develop and refine an integrated, equitable, and mission‑aligned curriculum
Collaborate with partner schools to align CEE programming with school‑based curricula
Strengthen curriculum in social‑emotional learning, sense of place, ecology, and outdoor living skills

Camp Chewonki Responsibilities

Work with the Associate Director of Trips to support the completion of day‑to‑day tasks in the Trips Office. This may include providing direct field support, trip briefings and debriefings, driving resupplies, etc.
Assist with summer staff training
Practice and model sound risk management that prioritizes the physical and emotional safety of campers and camp staff

Staff Hiring, Supervision & Mentorship

Assist with hiring and supervising CEE staff
Mentor instructors through observations, feedback, and regular check‑ins
Foster a supportive, high‑performing team culture

Risk Management & Safety

Model and coach best practices in risk management
Support incident response and communication in collaboration with leadership teams
Lead after‑action reviews and continuous improvement efforts

Relationship & Community Building

Serve as a primary contact for school partners and program families
Deliver exceptional customer service and build long‑term relationships
Collaborate across departments including Facilities, Kitchen, Health & Wellness, Development, and Alumni
Participate in recruitment, retention, and re‑enrollment efforts

Additional Opportunities

Lead occasional school or staff training trips
Participate in Chewonki committees and foundation‑wide events
Engage with the broader outdoor education community, including active involvement with Maine Outdoor Schools For All (MOSFA)

Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must pass Criminal Background Check including Motor Vehicle Record and Driver’s License approved by Chewonki’s insurance carrier.
• Bachelor's Degree preferred.
• Previous outdoor school experience required.
• Previous backcountry canoe, sea kayak, and/or backpacking trip leading experience preferred.
• Previous management experience.
• Passionate about working with participants and educators.
• Adaptive, communicative, accountable, and solution focused.
• Experience using Google Workspace.
• Maintain or ability to obtain active certifications:
  • Wilderness First Responder.
  • ACCT Level 2 Level 2 Challenge Course Practitioners Certification.
  • Maine Guide License.
  • American Canoe Association Instructor.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, early mornings and/or evenings, occasionally working 6 days in a row.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lb at a time.
• Must be able to work in an active, outdoor environment in a variety of weather conditions.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to travel as needed.