Assistant Director, Wilderness Programs

Assistant Director, Wilderness ProgramsCamp Tawonga131 Steuart StSte 460San Francisco, CA 94105About TawongaTawonga's mission is to provide educational and recreational programs for children, adults, and families that foster self-esteem, lifelong friendships and community, connections with nature, commitment to justice, and positive Jewish identity and spirituality. We run programs at our residential campsite next to Yosemite National Park and in the Bay Area, serving over 5,000 people a year.About Camp Tawonga's CultureAt Camp Tawonga, we are a caring, collaborative, joyous group of professionals who take great pride in fulfilling our mission and having fun while doing it. We have deep respect for our community, the children and the families who participate in our programs; for nature and the physical world; and for the Jewish value of "tikkun olam" - repairing the world. Our team has taken many different paths to arrive at Tawonga, from growing up as campers at Camp to others who have never before been involved with a summer camp. We are a Jewish organization, and we welcome and are inclusive of all staff and community members, Jewish and non-Jewish alike. We are committed to JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) and the ongoing reflection, learning and action required to be aligned with these values and create and sustain an equity culture.Equal Opportunity EmployerCamp Tawonga is an Equal Opportunity Employer, values diversity and is committed to being an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills, and to hiring people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals and women. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and organizational need.Job Purpose and DescriptionThe Assistant Director, Wilderness Programs is a key part of Camp Tawonga's program team. This position contributes to the mission of Camp Tawonga by managing and overseeing all aspects of our Wilderness Programs (includes our backpacking trips, "Teva" (nature) or naturalist programs, Farm and Garden programs, Challenge Course (including high elements using belay systems), and "Quests" (our adventure trips). This position also oversees risk management for all wilderness departments and transportation, serves as an at-camp Director during the summer season and partners with other key program staff members to co-direct our weekend at-Camp programs and Bay Area Programs as needed.Supervisory ResponsibilitiesDirect supervision of our wilderness staff and supervisors, at Camp and on the road during QuestsSupervises Backpacking and Quest Supervisors, Challenge Course Manager, Teva Supervisor and Farm and Garden ManagerHelp plan and lead supervisor and staff trainingPlan and co-facilitate wilderness staff training week with wilderness supervisorsSupervise additional departments and staff as neededEssential Duties and ResponsibilitiesReasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.Wilderness ProgramsResponsible for Wilderness Department staff assignments, observation, feedback and evaluationManage wilderness staff recruitment and hiring, including conducting interviews and performing reference checks.Overall responsibility for Wilderness staff training including design, implementation and ongoing evaluation of training programs and materialsManage relationships between Wilderness Department and other departments at CampManage external agency relationships with National ParksSupervise Backpacking program, including risk management, staff, logistics, equipment and evaluationSupervise Quest program, including planning, enrollment, risk management, training Quest leaders, overseeing parent communication regarding Quest and interfacing with outfittersOversee and supervise all aspects of the Challenge Course (aka "Ropes Course") program, including risk management; course construction and repairs, inspections, and equipment; staff training, certification and supervision; establishing local operating procedures for all elements; and evaluating the program structure.Supervise Teva (Nature) and Farm and Garden programs at Camp, including staff training and supervision and ensuring high quality programmingProvide leadership, guidance, and ongoing support for the expansion of the farm and gardenServe on management team with other year-round directors to ensure excellence in all aspects of operations and program deliveryInnovate and evaluate wilderness programs on a yearly basis.Wilderness AdministrationOrganize all logistics for adventure travel programs (Quests) with careful attention to detail. This includes creating and updating itineraries, tracking reservations, and compiling day-by-day Quest binders.Secure reservations for campgrounds, outfitters, flights and other Quest-related needs, occasionally reserving online at 7 a.m. to secure spots as soon as they become available. Track expenses, and organize reservations, receipts and invoices.Create and update a spreadsheet of wilderness permits needed for Camp's backpacking program, securing permits with Yosemite National Park.Work with vendors to reserve satellite phones and renew contracts. Follow up to ensure charges are accurate and that invoices are paid promptly.Assist with staff recruitment by maintaining online postings for seasonal positions, creating targeted email campaigns, and recruiting former staff to return for seasonal work.Summer Camp & Family Camp HiringDirect two to three weekend programs per year and lead other year-round programming, such as family hikes in the Bay Area, as neededAs part of the hiring team with other directors, ensure recruitment and hiring of outstanding staff:Source and recruit staff applicants, conduct interviews, and check referencesSelect and hire seasonal staff.Partner with Human Resources to ensure timely completion of new hire paperwork, contracts, and other required staff forms are completedAt-Camp DirectorSpend summers at Camp Tawonga as a key part of the at-Camp director team, supervising three to six departments and sharing responsibility for camper management, staff management, parent communication, overall tone-setting, and leadershipServe as a positive and responsible role model for campers and staff at all timesMeet daily during the summer, and bi-weekly during the year, with other directors to manage camper and staff issues, program plans, and logisticsManage Camp logistics as assigned and partner with other directors to arrange coverage for one another during time offCommunicate with parents, lead outreach events, and respond to parent questions and feedback about Quest, backpacking trips, and general camper experienceOther ResponsibilitiesOversee ordering of all supplies for wilderness departmentOversee annual inspection of challenge course, build new elements and retire old elements and gear as neededCollaborate with Development Team to secure grants as neededMake all backpacking reservations and Quest reservations, update trip leader materialsProfessional DevelopmentResearch and participate in relevant, ongoing, continuous professional development as it pertains to the role and/or business needs (e.g., training materials, coursework, webinars, etc.)Other DutiesPlease note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and/or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice based on the needs of Camp Tawonga.Compensation and BenefitsThis is a full-time, exempt, year-round, and benefited position. The pay range for this position is $80,000 - $88,000, DOE. Camp Tawonga offers a competitive compensation package which includes medical, dental, life insurance, retirement with company match and contribution, and paid sick and vacation leave.To ApplyTo ensure consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter explaining your qualifications for and interest in the position. Send applications to applications@tawonga.org with Assistant Director, Wilderness Programs in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and Tawonga is seeking to hire for this position as soon as possible.Minimum Qualifications:

Training, Experience, Skills, and QualitiesRequiredMinimum three years relevant experience leading wilderness programs or closely related programming.Minimum two years experience managing and administering youth programsMinimum two years of experience supervising staffRisk management experience and good safety judgmentProven ability to work with youth and communicate with parentsExperience supporting and managing families and/or other stakeholdersDiplomacy, tact and friendlinessExcellent and demonstrable communication skillsProficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Google Suite (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms, etc.)Required certifications or must be willing to acquire these certifications upon hire:CPRWilderness First Responder or Wilderness Emergency Medical TechnicianLifeguard TrainingChallenge Course Advanced Skills and Standards certificationsCalifornia Driver's LicensePreferredExcellent supervisor/managerExcellent verbal and written communication skillsExcellent interpersonal and customer service skillsExcellent organizational skills and attention to detailExcellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlinesAbility to take and implement feedbackStrong analytical and problem-solving skillsAbility to work independently and make appropriate decisions in routine and emergency situationsSupervisionThis position reports directly to the Camp Director.SoftwareThis position will frequently use the following software:Microsoft Office/Google SuiteGmail and Google CalendarCampMinder (camper/family database)Physical DemandsThe physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:Typing, writing, reading, hearing, seeing and speakingUse of hands and fingers to operate office equipment, especially a computerStanding, walking, kneeling, and frequent sitting with some lifting up to 30 poundsAbility to go backpacking (carrying a backpack of approx 30 lbs) and hike 5-10 miles.Ability to perform rescues on the high elements of the challenge course (aka ropes course) - training will be provided.Living and working at Camp in the summer requires walking several miles per day on uneven terrain, working long hours, and being able to respond to emergencies in and out of Camp.$75,000 - $85,000Agency Information:

For 95 years, Camp Tawonga has served as a leader in Jewish camping, fostering in children and families a deep connection to nature, community and Judaism. We run programming for children, families and young adults at our stunning residential campsite next to Yosemite National Park and in the San Francisco Bay Area.At Tawonga, children and teens build self-esteem, make lifelong friends and discover their truest selves. The impact of Tawonga often lasts forever.

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