Outdoor Education Manager

Eagle's Nest Foundation; Pisgah Forest (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Eagle’s Nest Foundation seeks an Outdoor Education Manager to lead, develop, and oversee all outdoor programs including Camp, Hante, and OA. The role focuses on staff training, curriculum design, risk management, and program evaluation to ensure high standards and safety.

Responsibilities include coordinating field logistics, system-wide risk management, budgeting for gear, and collaboration with leadership to evolve ENF’s outdoor offerings.

Qualifications

• Wilderness First Responder certification required; Wilderness EMT desirable.
• Experience with risk management in outdoor settings.
• Experience with professional staff training capacity, mentoring, and supervision, and wilderness program logistics.
• Well-developed planning and organizational skills.
• A clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Train and supervise outdoor program instructors for Camp, Hante, and OA in backpacking, canoeing, climbing, and biking.
• Design and teach outdoor education curricula and coordinate with instructors to integrate outdoor skills and leadership.
• Serve as primary risk manager, developing safety plans and standardized procedures across programs.
• Oversee inventory, maintenance, and purchasing for outdoor gear and facilities; manage budgets.

Skills

Wilderness First Responder

Staff training capability

Education

B.A. or B.S. in related field

Job description

Eagle’s Nest Foundation

Outdoor Education Manager

Job Description

Experiential education for young people promoting the natural world

and the betterment of human character.

Eagle's Nest Foundation (ENF) is a mission driven, non-profit that promotes the natural world and the betterment of human character through experiential education. ENF delivers three primary programs: Eagle's Nest Camp (a residential, summer camp for children ages 6-17 celebrating its centennial season in 2027), Hante Adventures (an off-site adventure program for teens, both physically demanding and culturally immersive), and The Outdoor Academy (a residential “semester of a lifetime” school for 10th and 11th grade students). ENF also runs multiple short format or seasonal programs throughout the year that incorporate outdoor programming. The “Nest” is a highly collaborative workplace, relying on team-based and committee formats for support of decision making, community, and reflection.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Outdoor Education Manager (OEM) is responsible for the development, delivery, and oversight of all outdoor programs for Eagle’s Nest Foundation. The OEM works closely with executive and program leadership on the conceptualization and implementation of quality outdoor programming at ENF, with roles to include: skill inventories and developmentally appropriate milestones for all participants, risk assessment and management, staff training, logistics, budgeting and inventory, evaluation of programs and of staff, new program design and implementation, etc.

The OEM will focus on staff/instructor training and support, and alignment of standards and systems across all Foundation programs. The OEM is supervised by the Executive Director. The OEM will supervise seasonal outdoor staff as well as mentoring OA Residents. To fully deliver responsibilities and training, this position is expected to spend between 30 and 60 days in the field per calendar year.

SUPPORT PROGRAM CONCEPTUALIZATION & DEVELOPMENT

1. Collaborate with ENF leadership team and program leadership to build layers of outdoor skills for instructors and participants of all programs.
2. Maintain relationships that foster access to skilled guides and adventure leaders for various program needs. Support recruitment of seasonal staff.
3. Develop a “certification pipeline” nurturing campers, participants, and students to successfully complete first aid and outdoor certification programs to be more prepared for employment.
4. Envision and develop systems for skills advancement for all participants of ENF outdoor programs.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Train and supervise outdoor program instructors for Camp, Hante, and OA in the following disciplines: backpacking, tandem canoeing for flat and whitewater, climbing, and mountain/gravel biking), in outdoor program capacities. OEM is responsible for identifying options for outsourcing training, when needed, that is in alignment with mission and budget.
2. With program directors, schedule and staff trips, facilitate logistics/debriefs, lead some trips, and continually evolve ENF’s outdoor programs.
3. Serve as primary risk manager for ENF, following and further developing all plans for safety and risk management as outlined in the Eagle’s Nest Foundation (ENF) Employee Handbook. Work with ENF staff to ensure standardization of risk management procedures across the Foundation and smooth transition between the programs, program areas and program equipment and supplies in the fall and spring.
4. Design and teach outdoor education curricula and coordinate with all instructors to integrate outdoor skills and leadership across the curriculum.
5. Manage shared resources and outdoor program equipment budgets. Work with program managers on development of relevant outdoor program budgets.
6. Oversee inventory, maintenance, and purchasing for the outdoor gear and facilities (Packout House, Canoe/Paddle Shed, Climbing Wall and equipment, Gear Lending Library, etc.), and related equipment areas as they develop. Ensure all equipment for ENF is maintained, is in good working order and meets appropriate safety standards. Supervise and support pack out food orders.
7. Attend regular meetings of the ENF Leadership Team and program committees.
8. Additional responsibilities as a member of the program leadership team to contribute to the life and function of the ENF community, based on skills/experience of the applicant and needs of the programs in coordination with the supervisor.

SPECIFIC ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Train all outdoor program instructors on wilderness policies and procedures before each program season. The OEM will also lead faculty/instructor training treks and “Clinics” as coordinated with the supervisor.
2. At times, and when not in the field, serve as Administrator on Duty (AOD) while campers/students are in the field, as coordinated with the supervisor.
3. Work with the administrative team and any additional medical staff to review medical forms, discuss First Aid supply needs, medical kits, etc. with trip leaders.
4. Educate trip and Foundation staff in risk management. Ensure proper certifications of staff for each trip out. Track and report on all Incidents and Accidents that happen each semester to the Risk Management Committee. Work with HR to support staff workers compensation claims related to outdoor programming.
5. Maintain any special wilderness and river permits for ENF. Procure COI (Certificates of Insurance) from HR prior to submitting permit application, if not already on file. Track and submit User Days for permit areas as required.
6. Maintain any special permissions or release forms needed for students and staff for any wilderness trips off campus.
7. In cooperation with the Admissions and Marketing staff, update program literature that relates to the wilderness and outdoor education programs. This includes portions of the curriculum guide, viewbook, website, and resources for wilderness programs and for curriculum for outdoor education.
8. Oversee the arrangement of transportation of all ENF trips.

REQUIREMENTS

1. B.A. or B.S. in a related field, and prior work experience in outdoor education
2. Experience with risk management in outdoor settings
3. Experience with professional staff training capacity, mentoring, and supervision, and wilderness program logistics
4. Wilderness First Responder required; Wilderness EMT desirable
5. Experience in and enthusiasm for working students in experiential education, wilderness, or residential settings
6. Well-developed planning and organizational skills
7. A clean driving record

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND SCHEDULE

1. The majority of work will be conducted on campus; however, off-site work outdoors supervising instructors and program participants will occur several times throughout the year. The ability to work long days in hot and/or cold environments and lift heavy gear and boxes is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
2. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed to fulfill program demands.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Salary range $55,000 - $59,000
• Full-time, exempt 12-month position.
• Eagle’s Nest Foundation provides a salary, contributory health insurance plans, retirement plans, paid time off, Summer Camp and OA discounts, outdoor leadership training and pro deals. Lunch is available on class days when OA and Camp are in session during time worked. Specific benefits are outlined in the employment offer letter.

Eagle’s Nest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on or tolerate harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, military status, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local law.