Wilderness/Environmental Education Director

Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp; Lakeside (MT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp in Montana seeks a Wilderness/EE Director to lead Offsite and Wilderness programs from planning through evaluation. You will coordinate safety, logistics, staffing, and curriculum while expanding environmental education outreach and ACA accreditation efforts.

As the primary liaison for environmental education partnerships, you will recruit and train staff, manage equipment and Forest Service permits, and collaborate with the Executive Director for strategic growth

Qualifications

• Affirm Lutheran Christian faith and live within its values.
• College graduate or equivalent.
• Experience in outdoor/youth ministry.
• Ability to work with and teach people of all ages.
• Relational ministry and collaborative staff work.
• Experience/knowledge in sailing, rock climbing, ropes courses, rafting, backpacking preferred.
• Effective written and verbal communication, and computer literacy.
• Make programs Christ-centered, environmentally sound, and FUN.
• Safety knowledge with ongoing education in safety and first aid.
• Knowledge/experience in Wilderness programs and ACA accreditation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all Offsite and Wilderness programs from inception to completion, including planning, safety, marketing, logistics, staffing, training, and evaluations.
• Market EE program to schools and teachers; grow partnerships.
• Train staff to teach EE and wilderness curricula; hire part-time/seasonal staff as needed.
• Pursue funding opportunities for Environmental Education.
• Plan and implement excellent EE programs with teachers and school groups.
• Maintain records, reports, and Forest Service permits; oversee equipment and resources.
• Coordinate vehicle logistics for summer operations and collaboration with Food Service and Maintenance.
• Recruit and develop year-round and summer staff; support retreats and outreach programs.
• Oversee ACA accreditation and safety standards; ensure compliance.

Skills

Affirm Lutheran faith

Outdoor ministry experience

Youth ministry experience

Relational ministry

Strong communication

Sailing

Rock climbing

Ropes courses

Rafting

Backpacking

Education

College/University degree

Job description

Wilderness programs primarily happen in the summer, while planning year-round Environmental Education (EE) programs primarily happens in the fall, winter, and spring. This position reports to the Executive Director.

The Wilderness/EE Director Essential Job Functions include:

• Oversight and management of all Offsite and Wilderness programs. (Glacier Wilderness, Sr. High, Servant events, work with Program Director/program leaders in overseeing Jr. High onsite adventure, Adventure retreats, etc.) from inception through completion. This includes planning, safety, marketing, strategy, logistics, staffing and staff training, and follow-up evaluations and working with the office for statistics, record keeping, and billing. Programs include backpacking, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, rafting, wilderness adventure, custom design, servant trips, ski retreats, as well as other possibilities.
• Market the environmental education program to schools/teachers, finding new ways to market and advertise the program
• Train FLBC staff to teach the EE curriculum and the wilderness curriculum; hiring additional part time/seasonal staff as necessary.
• Work with Director to seek funding opportunities for Environmental education
• Work with teachers to plan and implement excellent EE programs.
• Continue to update EE curriculum for our on-site school groups
• Primary staff person to oversee ACA, working to get accredited, and follow the ACA standards of operation.
• Maintain all records and reports for the Forest Service.
• Oversee all equipment for offsite/GW programs/EE programs
• Maintain and grow our onsite interpretive EE resources for all camp staff, visitors, and guests.
• Keep all Forest Service permits up to date.
• Coordinate vehicle logistics and assignments for the summer.
• Work with Food Service Coordinator on menus, amounts, and costs for GW food.
• Work with the Maintenance Coordinator for safety and care of vehicles needed for off-site trips, seeing that tires, oil changes, etc. are scheduled and done.
• Oversight of all sailboats
• Oversight and management of the high and low ropes courses, including maintenance, safety, and arranging for staff training and certification, inspections of trees and course through a PVM of the ACCT.
• Recruit year-round community staff and summer staff, along with other administrative staff
• Work with the community staff to assist with retreats, cleaning, maintenance, development, PR, food service, recruitment, church visits, and the Outreach Program
• Work to help develop new programs, including but not limited to off-site, Glacier Wilderness, J-Term programs, adult adventure trips, etc.
• Oversee registration of Glacier Wilderness groups, working closely with the office coordinator for booking and billing.
• Assist with cleaning, maintenance, food service, and marketing
• Attend regular staff meetings and other meetings assigned.
• Other jobs and tasks as assigned by the Directors.

Qualifications:

• Affirm basic Lutheran Christian faith and live within its values.
• College Graduate.
• Experience in outdoor/youth ministry.
• Ability to work with and teach people of all ages.
• Have a working understanding of relational ministry and an ability to work collaboratively with other staff.
• Experience/knowledge in sailing, rock climbing, ropes courses, rafting, backpacking preferred
• Effective communication skills: written, verbal, and computer.
• Ability to make the programs Christ-centered, environmentally sound, and FUN!
• An understanding of the fact that safety is the first consideration in all activities, thus continuous education in safety and first aid.
• Knowledge, education, and experience in Wilderness programs preferred
• Wilderness First Responder or similar emergency first aid training preferred
• Knowledge, education, and experience in Environmental Education with School groups preferred.