Outdoor Education Director - YMCA of the Ozarks

The Gateway Region YMCA is one of the leading nonprofit charitable organizations in the St. Louis metropolitan region, with a focus on nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving health and well-being, and supporting and serving our neighbors. For more than 170 years, the Y’s mission has been to put Christian principles into practice through programs designed to build healthy spirits, minds and bodies for all. We do that by being the center of communities, serving more than 260,000 individuals annually through 25 traditional Y facilities located in St. Louis City, eight Missouri counties and six Illinois counties, as well as YMCA Trout Lodge and YMCA Camp Lakewood, the YMCA Community Development Branch, and our Washington University Campus Y Branch. We aspire to be a safe place by promoting belonging for all. We are a growing and exciting organization where you can flourish, and we would love for you to join us!

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent preferred.
• Two plus years related experience preferred.
• Class E Driver’s License is preferred.
• CPR/FA/AED Certification required.
• Must hold HSI Instructor (Basic Life Support, Emergency Use of Medical Oxygen, Adult & Pediatric First Aid) certification and at least two of the following additional certifications, or be able to obtain within the first six months of employment: ACCT Level II, YMCA Lifeguard V7 Instructor, USA Archery Level 1 Instructor, or Range Safety Officer.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• Completion of YMCA program-specific certifications.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.

• Directs and supervises program activities to meet the needs of the community and fulfill YMCA objectives.
• Recruits, hires, trains, develops, schedules and directs staff and volunteers as needed. Reviews and evaluates staff performance. Develops strategies to motivate staff and achieve goals.
• Oversee the development and implementation of programs including, but not limited to; staff schedules, service schedules, guest schedules, marketing schedules and staff training schedules.
• Establishes new program activities and expands program within the community in accordance with strategic and operating plans.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with community organizations, and supporting departments.
• Coordinates use of facilities for program activities and events.
• Models relationship-building skills in all interactions. Responds to all member and community inquiries and complaints in timely manner.
• Assist in the enhancement of the overall service and expertise levels among program staff through consistent leadership, positive example-setting, special-event planning and counseling.
• May assist with Program Committee meetings.
• Assists other departments with projects and facility upkeep in non-peak times.
• Assist with fundraising, as assigned.
• Provides the Maintenance department with timely information pertaining to the upkeep, maintenance and operations of program areas and related equipment.
• May directly facilitate programming and activities as participant numbers dictate.
• Ensure accurate timecards, consistent documentation and maintenance of training records, license requirements, and certifications.
• Will work all shifts, weekends and holidays as needed.
• Performs any/all program administration duties deemed necessary.
• Functions as a Manager on Duty (MOD) as scheduled serving as a liaison between staff and guests ensuring their care and safety.
• Education background relating to Recreation or Conservation preferred.
• Develop and create lesson plans that align with state and national education standards.
• Assist in maintaining overall appearance of program areas and conservation education trails around the entirety of the property.
• Maintain and develop relationships with groups coming onsite to take advantage of conservation-based programming
• Coordinate and maintain all trail map signs and ensure that they match up with any trail maps distribute at the front desk.
• Maintain conservation curriculum inventory and ensure that supplies remain organized and in exceptional condition.
• Works with groups before arrival to ensure the needs are met during their stay.
• Collect data from groups about their experience leading up to, during and after their departure through evaluations and base programming on quantifiable data.
• Annually conducts market research to compare program pricing and offerings.
• Provides an accurate system to accomplish guest activity requests.
• Provide all guests with accurate information concerning all programs and activities.
• Assist in supervising program specialists including scheduling, training, monitoring performance and assisting in other program departments.
• Update standard operating procedures as required.

• Program/Project Management
• Functional Expertise
• Collaboration
• Developing Self & Others
• Volunteerism