Program Director for Outdoor Recreation

National Park College is seeking a passionate and experienced Program Director to lead and coordinate the college’s new Outdoor Recreation program. Located in the heart of the Diamond Lakes Region, Hot Springs offers unparalleled access to municipal, state, and federal park lands and services, including Hot Springs National Park, the Ouachita National Forest, and a growing network of bike and recreational trails.

This position is ideal for an educator who thrives in outdoor environments and is committed to preparing students for careers in recreation, outdoor leadership, natural resources, and tourism and hospitality. The Program Director will oversee curriculum development, experiential learning, industry partnerships, and all required staffing and outfitting, ensuring the program supports the college mission, meets industry and accreditation standards, and delivers high‑quality programming for students.

The selected candidate will establish the foundational program in its inaugural term in the fall of 2026.

• Supervise other staff within the department.
• Teach a select range of Outdoor Recreation courses, labs, or field experiences totaling 12 hours per academic year.
• Design and lead experiential learning activities in local natural areas, including hiking, camping, wilderness safety, and outdoor recreation programming.
• Align the curriculum to current industry standards and regional outdoor opportunities.
• Mentor and advise students regarding courses, career pathways, internships, and potential transfer opportunities.
• Maintain regular office hours and participate in departmental and college‑wide initiatives.
• Coordinate with local agencies and organizations to enhance student learning through internships, service‑learning projects, and employment placement.
• Participate in professional development, college service, professional conferences, and student recruitment activities.
• Collect and analyze data for program evaluation, assessment of student learning outcomes, and required institutional reporting.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• This is a 12‑month appointment.

• Knowledge of subject matter being taught.
• Knowledge of educational planning and teaching techniques.
• Knowledge of learning aids and teaching materials appropriate to the subject matter.
• Ability to develop and teach students based on assessments and evaluation.
• Ability to evaluate progress and revise lesson plans as needed.
• Ability to provide advice and guidance relative to the education of the student.

• Master’s degree in Outdoor Recreation, Natural Resources, Environmental Studies, or a closely related field (some equivalent combination of education and professional experience may be considered).
• Demonstrated experience in higher education outdoor instruction, community leadership, or professional guiding.
• Proficiency in multiple outdoor technical skills is advantageous.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Physical ability to perform duties associated with outdoor instruction, including hiking, lifting, and working in varied weather conditions.
• Experience managing budgets and supervising staff.
• Strong understanding of risk management, emergency procedures, and industry best practices.
• Five years or more of supervisory experience.

• Industry‑standard certifications such as Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Wilderness EMT (WEMT), Leave No Trace Educator, ACA/AMGA certifications, etc.
• Experience with outdoor program coordination, experiential education, or guiding according to equitable and inclusive access standards.
• Familiarity with teaching and working with diverse student populations.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to stand throughout the day.
• Long periods of sitting at a computer.
• May include evening and weekend work hours.

The Final date to receive applications for this position is January 4, 2026. Applicants should submit a cover letter addressing qualifications and teaching philosophy, a curriculum vitae or resume, transcripts, and three professional references with contact information.

National Park College does not discriminate in access to employment opportunities or in employment or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Accommodations are determined on a case‑by‑case basis and will be provided unless doing so would result in undue hardship to NPC.