Assistant Director of Outdoor Education

Work Arrangement type On-Site (Hamilton, NY) – expected to work fully at the designated campus/office location.

Hiring Wage/Salary Range

Hiring Wage/Salary Range $53,950

Professional Experience/ Qualifications

• 2 years of experience working in the outdoor education/recreation or adventure therapy field.
• One or more advanced technical outdoor skill sets (such as whitewater or sea kayaking, ski touring, rock climbing, etc), demonstrated by a professional and/or personal log and relevant certifications.
• Demonstrated ability to independently and safely manage a group of students and/or adults while traveling and engaging in outdoor education activities.
• Demonstrated ability to safely and effectively manage classes, learning settings, and/or facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to create and enforce policies as it pertains to courses or facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to instruct, train, supervise and evaluate student participants and student employees.
• Must be able to mentor college students in leadership, teaching, risk management, and technical skill development.
• Demonstrated ability to plan travel and manage trip logistics.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to plan, prioritize, and delegate across multiple projects.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population of people.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with, build relationships with, and serve as a resource for student leaders.
• A clear commitment to the university’s academic mission and appreciation of its liberal arts curriculum.
• Skills and experience with both the Google and Microsoft software suites (Google Docs and Sheets, Excel, Word, etc).
• Exhibits strong self leadership and expedition behavior.

Preferred Qualifications

One or more of the following areas of expertise:

• Whitewater paddling:
  • Demonstrated ability to manage students in whitewater up to class III or beyond.
  • ACA level IV certification preferred.
  • Personal experience and ability paddling in water up to grade IV/V.
  • Experience and/or training in swift water rescue techniques.
• Sea kayaking:
  • Demonstrated personal and professional sea kayaking experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage and instruct students in level 3 coastal kayaking venues and conditions.
  • ACA Coastal Kayaking Level 3 certification preferred.
• Backcountry skiing/ski touring:
  • Demonstrated ability to manage students in alpine and/or avalanche terrain.
  • AIARE 2 or AIARE Pro 1 certification.
• Experience coaching mountain biking.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and instruct groups in a variety of mountain bike terrain.
• Mountain biking skill and experience at an intermediate level or higher.
• Rock and ice climbing:
  • Demonstrated ability to manage and instruct students in single pitch rock climbing terrain.
  • AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (or equivalent).
  • Rock climbing lead experience at an intermediate level or higher.
  • Intermediate level ice climbing skill or higher.
• Other demonstrated skill sets which may include, but are not limited to, telemark skiing, skate skiing, technical tree climbing, canyoneering, caving, challenge courses, teambuilding etc.

• A fleet of outdoor equipment and/or an equipment rental center.
• An indoor rock climbing wall; experience route setting.
• A challenge course with emphasis on low ropes initiatives and a teambuilding program.

Experience working at a university outdoor education or recreation program, NOLS , Outward Bound, or High Mountain Institute.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in recreation, outdoor education, adventure education, adventure therapy, or other relevant field.

Certifications

Wilderness First Responder from NOLS , SOLO , or Wilderness Medical Associates; other certification(s) as related to relevant, technical outdoor skill sets.

When extending an offer, Colgate University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations.

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform skills related to outdoor education and advanced technical outdoor skill sets to a…