High Sierra Program Director

The Program Director (PD) provides overall leadership of the High Sierra Program team and single point accountability for local High Sierra wilderness programming quality and safety. The PD works to provide daily leadership, administrative mentorship and management of the Midpines basecamp. Responsibilities include local operations, course supervision and business management. Reports to the Director of Program & Safety (DPS).

This opportunity is perfect for the individual looking to work with a tight-knit team and community during program season!

Compensation & Schedule

• This is an exempt, full-time 12 or 11 month position.
• Rustic housing is provided, if desired, during the summer program season, and there is an option to caretake the property over the winter.
• Food is provided during the summer program season.
• Salary is commensurate with experience, with a starting range from $60,000-65,000 annualized
• Tentative start date at the earliest is Oct 1, 2026
• Required to work from our Midpines Basecamp from April 1 – until approximately late Sept, and can work remote in an approved state the rest of the year (CA, CO, OR, UT)

Benefits

• OBCA offers a competitive benefits package, including comprehensive health insurance with employer contribution, PTO, long-term disability and life insurance, Flexible Spending Account, optional Health Savings Account, Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), and 401(k) plan with 1% match after 1 year from start date.
• Opportunities for professional development
• Pro Deal, the opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at discounted rates

Location

This position is located at our High Sierra program base in Midpines, California, in the Sierra Nevada foothills 30 miles east of Yosemite National Park. High summer temperatures can reach 80-120+ degrees Fahrenheit. The basecamp has a main building with an office, program gear sheds, a commercial kitchen and weather port living quarters (durable fabric structures).

Who We Are

At Outward Bound California (OBCA), we use challenging outdoor experiences to teach social-emotional skills like teamwork, leadership, and compassion. We offer a wide range of programs, including high/low ropes activities at our San Francisco Challenge Course and multi-day rock climbing/backpacking trips in the High Sierra and Joshua Tree. Our programs encourage our participants (ages 12+, including adults and veterans) to embrace challenges and reflect on how they want to contribute to their communities and the world.

We are a part of the Outward Bound USA network with a 60-year history in the US as a leading provider of outdoor education. OBCA is a non-profit and is committed to increasing access for those who have traditionally been excluded from outdoor spaces. We work towards this goal with our 40 community partners and by offering scholarships to more than half of our students. Keep learning more about us here.

OBCA strives to create an equitable and inclusive culture where our staff feel respected for their identities and lived experiences. We are looking for team members who can actively join us in the process of furthering our vision for equity and belonging. We recognize that the outdoor industry has historically excluded those with non-dominant identities and know that has led to underrepresentation in this line of work. We strongly encourage those who more significantly face the impacts of exclusion and oppression to apply.

Requirements

Who You Are

Outward Bound California does not expect every applicant to have every skill and qualification listed here. If you have 75% of the following qualifications, we encourage you to submit an application.  

Knowledge & Skills

• Passionate about Outward Bound’s mission, programs, and course activities
• Have a deep understanding and personal commitment to equity and inclusion in the outdoors and can mentor staff in this topic
• Great organizational skills and an eye for details
• Self-motivated and flexible with a sense of initiative, follow-through, and commitment
• Works both independently and cooperatively as a team member, prioritizing and moving forward on multiple projects simultaneously
• Effective communicator with an ability to give and receive both positive and constructive feedback
• Holds a current Wilderness First Responder, CPR and CA Epinephrine certifications by the start of the program season (April 1, 2027)
• Proficient with Microsoft operating system (Word and Excel), Adobe, and G Suite (Gmail, Google Docs, Drive, and Calendar)
• Proficient in backpacking in alpine environments, on and off trail

Education & Work Experience

• 4-6 years of experience in the outdoor education/experiential learning field, or any similar combination of education and experience
• Experience with multi-day wilderness expeditionary programs
• Previous experience managing teams and programs

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Able to maintain composure, exercise sound judgment and decision-making, and assess and mitigate risk under extended periods of stress
• Able to practice and role model appropriate self-care
• Sitting at a desk or computer 90% of the time or greater
• Ability to work extended hours and long stretches of days during key moments in the summer season

Bonus if you…

• Have worked at Outward Bound!
• Have experience working in the High Sierra
• Have experience with institutional rock climbing settings, an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor or higher certification.
• Have Experience with Salesforce or other Consumer Relationship Management (CRM) platform
• Have experience with curriculum development with an equity focus
• Have experience with facilities repair and maintenance, collaboration with contractors, and/or experience managing Employee Housing

Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Collaborate with OBCA Regional Operations and Director of Programs and Safety to determine and fulfill program needs, goals and strategy
• Oversee course quality and delivery of all programs such that courses are true to Outward Bound’s Theory of Change, mission, core values, distinctive features, defined outcomes and established vision of program quality
• Coordinate with local and national vendors and land managers to fulfill program needs. Oversee permitting and commercial use expectations
• Provide High Sierra Management Team oversight, development and support
• Oversee course scheduling and field staff development
• Coordinate and ensure a culture of feedback for staff and program. Implement improvements and disciplinary actions as needed

Safety

• Ensure all National Safety Standards and both National and Charter Operating Policies and Procedures are adhered to
• Oversee local Incident Command, Local Emergency Response and Local Operating Procedures
• Share and schedule on-call responsibilities with the program team
• Ensure accurate and complete incident reporting for all courses
• Oversee the content and delivery methods for course safety briefings
• Uphold Outward Bound’s zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect as protecting our minor students against abuse and neglect is of the highest priority
• Identify and report any workplace safety hazards and ensure it is addressed promptly
• Promote best practices related to workplace health and safety by ensuring all are trained for any task they are asked to perform  and to report hazards promptly.

Site Support

• Establish and model basecamp culture, expectations and norms
• Oversee and coordinate basecamp maintenance and upkeep including scheduled maintenance, unplanned repairs, and opening/closing the base each season
• Ensure basecamp adheres to all local and national regulatory codes and policies.
• Manage local IT systems and equipment
• Oversee off-season care for basecamp

Outward Bound California is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Outward Bound California also promotes respect for all people, and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics.