Christodora, a 122 year-old non-profit organization, announces an exciting opportunity for a vibrant leader in outdoor/environmental education to join our team at the Manice Education Center (MEC), located in a pristine outdoor setting in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts.   MEC annually serves approximately 850 youth with an array of residential programs focusing on environmental education, leadership training, and wilderness expeditions ranging from 3-day field trips for NYC schools to 1-3 week summer camping programs.

Engaging as a key team member, the Assistant Director (AD) brings a high level of positive energy while providing effective leadership for daily operations at the Manice Education Center.  Responsibilities include assisting the Director with staff trainings and empowering and supporting 12-15 outdoor educators to deliver effective hands-on activities in environmental education, leadership, and wilderness exploration. The AD creates and organizes various program schedules, helps to write and implement educational activities, as well as plans for Center wide activities and events.  The AD supports safe programming through daily on-site program supervision and on-call responsibilities, including supervising waterfront activities and managing the infirmary as necessary.  Other duties include evaluating staff and facility needs, leading and assisting in day to day care of gardens, preparing supply requisitions, and transporting program participants and staff in Center vehicles.    

We are seeking candidates who:

• Have at least 3 years of prior program administration & leadership experience in environmental education, outdoor leadership, and/or expedition based youth programs.  Leadership experience in residential programming preferred.
• Have high energy and outstanding prior performance as a leader with positive and effective communication skills.  
• Are passionate about positively impacting youth and can easily build rapport with a broad and diverse population from low-income neighborhoods in New York City.  
• Are able to easily spark an interest in the natural sciences and possess at least 3 years of experience teaching environmental education lessons/activities in informal or formal settings to middle school and high school aged youth.
• Are highly organized and have demonstrated success in coordinating schedules and activities. 
• Have prior experience facilitating challenge course activities, leading backpacking & canoeing trips, and are able to provide training, and as necessary, field support.
• Are experienced in making effective leadership decisions during emergency procedures, and can perform as Acting Director during the evenings and as needed.    
• Are interested in becoming an integral part of the Christodora community for at least 2-3 seasons. A longer-term engagement is highly desirable.

Requirements:  

• Excellent motivational, organizational, and communication skills; BA/BS in a related discipline.  
• At least 2 years of supervisory level experience in a residential camp or relevant similar setting (or ability to attain American Camping Association Camp Director Certificate prior to April 2019).  
• Wilderness First Responder and CPR/AED Certifications that will be current for the April – Oct. 2019 Season 
• Waterfront Lifeguarding Certification (or ability to attain during June 2019 trainings at MEC). Possessing or having the ability to attain Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor certification highly desired.
• Local regulations require candidates to be at least 25 year old.  
• Current Driver’s License and a Safe Driving Record.  Must be comfortable driving 15 passenger vans and towing a canoe trailer and small equipment trailer.
• Background clearances and medical physical. 

The Manice Education Center is a residential program and requires the Assistant Director to live in private, on-site housing from April through October. The Assistant Director generally performs active duties in the afternoons and evenings, and is part of the on-call support system.  Candidates who intend to provide a long-term investment at Christodora could remain in housing from November through March.  

Christodora may have year round employment opportunities for candidates who would enjoy living in New York City from November through March, helping to facilitate success for ecology based, environmental education in schools.  If interested in continuing with Christodora from November through March between seasons at the Manice Education Center, please detail your qualifications for teaching inside NYC classrooms and/or providing educational leadership to environmental educators transferring from the Manice Education Center to teach inside our partner schools during the winter.   

Salary/Benefits:  Competitive weekly salary D.O.E.; year-round housing; equipment discounts; meals during Manice Education Center operating season of April through October, company provided MacBook Air & Iphone, company vehicle for business.