Christodora, a 124-year-old nonprofit, nonsectarian organization, based in New York City, seeks a seasoned outdoor leader to work as the Excursions Supervisor to work at its Manice Education Center (MEC) located in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts on a 200-acre wooded campus.  This is an exciting opportunity to oversee overnight outings to open the eyes of NYC youth to the adventures of backpacking and canoeing – oftentimes for the first time.  Enjoy living and working in a phenomenal setting for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers in a forested playground, sandwiched between multiple state forests, rivers, and ponds.  In summer, MEC offers a full season of expedition and environmental education camps for NYC youth in grades 6-12 with approximately 40 campers at each of the typically five sessions: exploratory, foundational, advanced, high school leadership training course, and BRIDGE.

Join our Team: May 23 – Aug 28, 2022

Responsibilities

            The Excursions Program Supervisor (Supervisor) creates as safe, healthy, and fun a wilderness adventure programming for middle- and high-school students from NYC, working to sequentially tailor expeditions by age, maturity, and ability.  Backpacking and canoeing trips range from 1-3 days on MEC property and neighboring state lands.  The Supervisor will:

• Review existing trip itineraries, update risk management planning, scout trails and rivers for changes in conditions, renew and attain required land-use permits, and develop new trips as needed. 
• Continue to foster and maintain strong working relationships with land-owners and partners who contribute to the success of our wilderness trips.
• Review and continue to improve the existing training program to effectively prepare a range of first-year to seasoned outdoor leaders. 
• Provide positive mentorship and lead a feedback-oriented culture that focuses on growth, support, and goal accountability for outdoor leaders.   
• Provide ongoing support for excursions and MEC activities by being on-call for emergencies and trip support, supervise camp in the absence of the Director/Assistant Director, and help to manage the infirmary.
• Oversee the equipment room, which is operated by the Logistics Coordinator and 4 Wilderness Trip Assistants who are high school students who previously participated in Christodora programs.
• Transport students to and from wilderness trips and occasionally assist with participants traveling to and from New York City.
• Provide regular updates to the Director/Assistant Director about the status and needs of the Wilderness Trip Program and provide administrative support for Center programs.

Acknowledgement

The staff of the Manice Education Center acknowledges that, as outdoor professionals, we continue to live on and make a living from the unceded ancestral lands of the indigenous people who stewarded this area for generations before the arrival of European settler colonialism. These people and sovereign nations include the Mohican, now known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Band in what is currently called Wisconsin, the Pocumtuc, the Nipmuc, and the Wabanaki, though much of this collective history remains lost or stolen through the effects of European settler colonialism, and we acknowledge there may still be more peoples who stewarded these lands. These nations are not currently represented in the board, directors, or employees of Christodora, Inc., which owns and operates MEC, and MEC continues to benefit from the oppressive history of colonialism and industrial agriculture that has forever altered the ecosystems of the region. We recognize there will be implications for how Christodora must alter its thoughts and decisions in benefitting from educating youth on these ancestral lands, and we welcome dialogue in this work, as this is only a small step toward repairing the generations of injustice done to these people and nations.

Qualifications
Required

• Adventurous spirit, willingness to learn, passion for the outdoors, and enjoy connecting with urban youth.
• Experience as an outdoor leader for backpacking and canoeing expeditions in a wilderness context with youth.
• Wilderness First Responder, CPR, Waterfront Lifeguard Certification or ability to obtain.  (Wilderness First Aid (can be used as a WFR Recertification Course), CPR, and Waterfront Lifeguarding courses are provided at MEC in June)
• BA/BS in outdoor leadership, adventure recreation, or related discipline
• Valid Drivers License
• Background clearances and medical physical required. Initial drug screening may be required.

Preferred

• Outdoor leadership and/or wilderness navigation certifications.
• Wilderness First Responder

Compensation/Benefits

• $700/week
• Room and board at MEC during employment
• Outdoor equipment discounts