Outdoor Education Coordinator

Explorer West Middle School embraces the energy and enthusiasm of diverse young people on the journey to adulthood by fostering confidence and discovery. Offering the benefits of a small learning community, Explorer West views the complexity of adolescence as a unique window of opportunity to develop the academic, creative, and social skills required for a sustainable future.

Program Overview:

One of the most unique attributes of an Explorer West Middle School education is the value of our Outdoor Education Program. It provides our students with some of the most important experiences of their young lives outside of the classroom and continues to grow in scope and size. It gives them an opportunity to connect in spectacular ways with their peers, their teachers, and their outdoor community.

Students participate in a progressively challenging curriculum that starts in 6th grade with an introduction to the outdoors while camping at Fort Worden State Park, extends to winter snowshoeing and cross country skiing, and culminates in 8th grade with a challenging 20+ mile backpack trip along the Olympic Coast.

The program focuses on integrating skills from previous years (i.e. camp cooking, trail maintenance, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, etc.) and building on those skills in order to provide students for further opportunities at self‐sufficiency, community building, leadership, and a greater appreciation of wild places.

One of the main goals of our program is to prepare our students for a lifetime of safe, fun, sustainable outdoor adventures in the beautiful, variable, and wild Pacific Northwest. All students participate in the Outdoor Education Program, which involves 3 grade‐level components per year:

Fall Program (September) The 3‐day camping trips take the 6th grade to Ft. Worden, the 7th grade to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area and the 8th grade to Mount Rainier National Park for back country camping along the Wonderland Trail.

Winter Program (January/February) – Winter trips to Snoqualmie Pass run on three consecutive Fridays in January/early February. The 6th grade students make snowshoes in advance of the trips and use them in the snow; the 7th grade students learn cross country skiing out of the Nordic Center; the 8th grade students take part in off‐trail snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Spring Program (June) The 4‐day camping trips take the 6th grade to Orcas Island for camping and hiking at Moran State Park and trail work within the park, the 7th grade to the Eastern Cascades and the 8th grade on a 20+ mile through‐hike along the coast in the Olympic National Park.

Coordinator position:

The Outdoor Education Coordinator is a part‐time position with hours concentrated around the three program segments and totaling approximately 450 hours. The coordinator reports directly to the Head of School and oversees all aspects of the Outdoor Education program.

Responsibilities include:

Trip coordination: Hire and train all Field Instructors Recruit and brief all volunteers/chaperones for the winter program Manage in‐house logistics including equipment, food, and packing Collaborate with faculty on trip curriculum Organize logistics with appropriate agencies (land management, gear rentals, lessons) Co‐lead trips Coordinate transportation for all trips

Safety: Perform pre‐ and post‐trip risk assessments Purchase and maintain all first aid and safety supplies for the trips Participate in the NWAIS Outdoor Education Safety Committee Initiate periodic safety reviews of the program (every 5 years)

Communication: Communicate with parents, faculty, students and outside trip leaders regarding trips Conduct community outreach for the program and the school Participate in admissions open houses, representing the Outdoor Education program

Finances: Participate in the annual budget development for the program Manage expenditures to the approved budget Work closely with the business manager regarding purchases and expenditures Identify and write grant applications for relevant grants Prepare required reporting for in‐place grants

Equipment: Maintain a working inventory of outdoor equipment Manage the school’s gear library Make purchases as needed and as budgeted for new and replacement equipment and gear, and repair equipment as needed

Other duties as required and assigned

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will demonstrate:  a strong desire to share the outdoor experience with middle school students  a minimum of 5 years working with adolescents in the outdoors  excellent organization skills  current Wilderness First Responder and CPR certifications  an understanding of and a belief in Explorer West’s Outdoor Education mission  the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously  experience in a supervisory role  strong oral and written communication skills  an exceptional ability to work collaboratively  flexibility and enthusiasm  college degree  knowledge of Washington State backcountry  be at least 25 years of age, eligible to work in the United States and have a valid drivers license (for student transportation)

Compensation:

The compensation varies based on experience.

To apply:

Please submit via email to info@explorer‐west.org the following:  current resume  cover letter which fully addresses: o how your experience makes you an ideal candidate to coordinate the Outdoor Education program o how your personal teaching philosophy aligns with the values of Explorer West Middle School

The position will remain open until October 28, 2015.