Program Director

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits; Sandstone (MN); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental plan

Vision plan

Simple IRA 3% match

HSA with employer contribution

PTO 15 days

Floating holidays 11

Professional development $300/year

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center, near Sandstone, MN, seeks a Program Director to lead education programs, staff development, and operations. This senior role collaborates with the ED and Operations Director to ensure high-quality environmental education for K-12, adult, and community audiences.

The position requires a Master’s degree with nonprofit leadership experience, strong communication skills, and budget management; licensing and safety expertise are valued.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required; K-12 licensure preferred.
• Experience leading nonprofit education programs.
• Proven written/verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage budgets and read financial statements.
• Experience with risk management and emergencies.
• Willingness to obtain First Aid/CPR; related certifications ok.

Responsibilities

• Direct all aspects of Osprey Wilds education programs and staff.
• Oversee scheduling, spaces, and program operations across activities.
• Lead recruitment, hiring, and performance evaluations.
• Support fundraising, grants and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with partnerships, marketing, and leadership.
• Maintain compliance with safety and risk management protocols.

Skills

Leadership and management

Budget management

HR management (JEDI)

Written and verbal communications

Budgeting and financial statements

Risk management

First Aid/CPR willingness

Driver's license

Google Suite

Zoom

Microsoft Office

Education

Master’s Degree

K-12 Science Licensure

K-12 classroom teaching experience

Tools

Google Suite

Zoom

Microsoft Office

Job description

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