Program Director

Conservation Maven; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision & Dental

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Simple IRA 3% match

HSA with employer contribution

Paid time off

Floating holidays

Professional development funds

Job summary

Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center in Sandstone, Minnesota, is seeking a Program Director to provide leadership and execution of high-quality environmental education programs for diverse audiences. The role involves senior leadership, collaboration with the Executive Director, and cross-department coordination.

Responsibilities include managing K-12 and outreach programs, staff development, grant administration, and program promotion.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree is required.
• K-12 Science Licensure is preferred.
• K-12 classroom teaching experience is preferred.
• Nonprofit experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Direct all aspects of Osprey Wilds K-12, Outreach, Youth Camp, Family Camp, Community, Wildlife & Road Scholar programs.
• Maintain oversight of programs including scheduling, staffing, spaces, equipment.
• Collaborate with Operations Director to ensure positive customer experiences and productive staff functioning.
• Lead and support professional development of educational program staff.
• Lead recruitment, hiring, retention and performance evaluations of education staff.
• Administer program grants with reporting requirements.

Education

Master’s Degree

K-12 Science Licensure

K-12 classroom teaching experience

Nonprofit experience

Job description

### Program DirectorSave JobOsprey Wilds Environmental Learning CenterSandstone,Minnesota| | || --- | --- || Job Type | Permanent || Salary | $60,000 per year || Deadline | Oct 20, 2026 || Min. Experience | 2 - 4 years |Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit environmental learning center near Sandstone, MN that provides outdoor educational opportunities to diverse audiences year-round. The Program Director provides leadership, management and execution of the highest quality environmental education programming for a wide variety of audiences. Programs include overnight, day-use and offsite K-12, virtual, college, youth, family, adult, community and senior programs and retreats/conference groups. As a senior-level administrator, this position assists the Executive Director and collaborates with the Operations Director in leadership of Osprey Wilds.**Reports to:**Executive Director **Department**: Education **Job location:** Sandstone, Minnesota **Job Type:** Full-time/regular, exempt**PRINCIPLE ACTIVITIES/DUTIES:*****Program Management and Administration (30%)**** Direct all aspects of Osprey Wilds K-12, Outreach, Youth Camp, Family Camp, Community, Wildlife & Road Scholar programs, maintaining responsibility for appropriate, safe, and effective operations* Maintain oversight of programs including scheduling, staffing, learning spaces, equipment, etc.* Work collaboratively with Operations Director to ensure positive customer experiences while also enabling productive staff functioning across departments* Design, lead and support the professional development of Osprey Wilds educational program staff* Lead and conduct the education department’s recruitment of staff, hiring, retention, and employee performance evaluations* Administer program grants, including status updates and necessary reporting requirements***Program Development, Promotion and Partnerships (20%)**** Seek, maintain & strengthen relationships with leaders of K-12 school clients* Secure school attendance through retention of existing clients and recruitment of new schools* Support the organization’s executive, operations, and development functions* Assist with funding opportunities for programs, including grants and donations* Work with Marketing & Communications Specialist for the effective execution of Osprey Wilds marketing strategies and activities* Assist in strategic planning for all Osprey Wilds programs* Represent Osprey Wilds with a wide variety of local, regional and national professional organizations appropriate to the Osprey Wilds mission* Review financial assistance requests for programs* Support communication efforts, including but not limited to writing and/or editing of center literature, marketing and related efforts* Seek out, develop and implement new educational opportunities and programs***Teaching (15%)**** Teach post-secondary courses (Hamline University, J-Term and others)* Teach Road Scholar programs as needed* Periodically teach Osprey Wilds K-12 classes* Maintain working knowledge of all Osprey Wilds programs & classes***Adventure Program (10%)**** Coordinate annual ropes courses and climbing wall third party inspections* Follow up on necessary actions based from report - including course modifications/equipment retirement/equipment ordering* Maintain ropes logs for high ropes course and climbing wall* Oversee archery program, maintaining equipment in working order, servicing and ordering equipment as needed* Oversee paddling program - ensuring canoes are current with registration, canoe, paddles and life vests are in working order and replacing as needed***Educational Vision and Leadership (5%)**** Lead entire Osprey Wilds educational program staff* Lead the design process for, implement, and evaluate organization-wide educational goals, both short and long term, to position Osprey Wilds at the leading edge of environmental education* Lead, create and implement successful tactics to achieve assigned objectives of the organizational strategic plan***Financial and Business Management (5%)**** Develop and manage operating expense budgets for education programs* Assist in development of revenue budget and fee setting for programs, including appropriate scoping of new and existing programs* Assist in development and execution of annual budget* Ensure cost effective, high value and efficient use of financial resources in program delivery**Curriculum and Instructional Design Management (5%)*** Ensure that program design and implementation remain clearly aligned to the center’s mission, goals and strategic advancement efforts* Review and adjust curriculum, resources and staff development in response to changing trends in the industry***Risk Management (5%)**** Ensure Osprey Wilds meets all local, state, and federal regulations for safety in education programs* Direct and oversee complete and timely safety practices for all Osprey wilds activities and facilities including policy, safety and security training for program staff* Review programs and facilities regularly for safety and security compliance* Document all safety inspections, incidents, etc. as needed on a timely basis***Evaluation (5%)**** Manage Cognia reaccreditation process and evaluate and improve program based on accreditation process.* Manage design and implementation of all program-based evaluation activities* Monitor quality of education delivery, formally and informally through varieties of methods**EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS:*** Minimum Level Education: Master’s Degree* Preferred: K-12 Science Licensure and K-12 classroom teaching experience* Preferred: Adventure programming experience* Preferred: Experience with educational animals* Preferred: Nonprofit experience* Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communications skills* Experienced leader, supervisor and manager of teams in a professional setting* Proficiency with Google Suite, Zoom and Microsoft Office* Human resource management skills and experience, including commitment to Justice, Equity,**Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)*** Ability to manage budgets and read financial statements* Experience with risk management and emergency procedures* Willingness to obtain First Aid and CPR; additional certifications preferred* Ability to work weekends and have a flexible schedule* Driver’s license and ability to drive vehicles, including 15 passenger vans with trailers**COMPENSATION:*** Work in a beautiful setting: 780 acres with coniferous and mixed hardwood forest, creek, prairie, and wetland areas, as well as a lake with a beach* $60,000 Salary* Health (65% premium coverage for employee, 35% for family members), Vision, and Dental Plan options (50% premium coverage for employee and family members)* Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance* Simple IRA plan with 3% match* HSA with employer contribution* Access to Employee Assistance Program* Access to Safe and Sick Leave* Access to Paid Medical Leave* $300/year for professional development activities* 15 Days PTO annually* 11 Floating Holidays annuallyHow To ApplyTo Apply: Send cover letter, resume, and three references to Bryan Wood: [e-mail]. Priority will be given to applications received by October 5th, 2026.