Program Director of Outdoor Education and Retreats

Location: Camp Sealth, Vashon Island

Dates: January 27th, 2025 to November 15th, 2025

Deadline to apply: December 13th, 2024

Applications received after December 13th, 2024 may be considered depending on the number of applicants.

Apply Here: https://form.fillout.com/t/6wwzayzNrqus

Position Overview: 

https://campfireseattle.org/job/program-director-of-outdoor-education-and-retreats/ 

Camp Sealth is seeking someone to help lead and mentor our spring outdoor education team. Ideal candidates have a passion for the outdoors/nature and sharing it with others as well as living and working together on-site with a close-knit team. This position encompasses many different responsibilities including acting as a 24-hour on-call host when guests are on-site, assisting the Outdoor Education and Retreats Director in program operations, and independently leading Outdoor Education staff in thoroughly completing a set of assigned tasks. This position also involves working a Wednesday through Sunday schedule including some evenings, living on-site in a private room in communal housing with other Outdoor Education instructors in a rustic heated building with kitchen and laundry facilities. Candidates should also be prepared to live on a rural island where traveling without a car can be challenging.

Site/Organization Overview:

Camp Sealth is located on the south end of Vashon Island, a rural community close to Tacoma, and is accessible only by ferry. It is easiest to travel by car as there is limited public transit service around the island. Camp Sealth is not able to provide transportation around or off Vashon Island outside of prearranged staff events/recreational activities. We are happy to pick you up at any nearby airport, bus, train, or ferry terminals at the beginning and end of your employment.

Camp Sealth encompasses 400 wooded acres, including a mile and a half of saltwater beach on Puget Sound. It has been owned and operated by Camp Fire Central Puget Sound since 1920 and serves public and private schools in the Puget Sound area through the Outdoor Education program as well as private rentals.

Camp Fire Central Puget Sound offers a variety of enrichment opportunities that empower youth, staff, and volunteers to discover their sparks, gain confidence, build essential life skills, value the natural world, and be active contributors in their communities. Camp Fire Central Puget Sound is an organization that supports diversity and inclusion. We expect our staff and volunteers to demonstrate respectful interactions with all guests and other staff in all communications and functions as representatives of the organization. We strive to create an environment where each youth and staff member has a sense of belonging, opportunities to share their passions, and a place to thrive.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

Camp Fire stands on the lands of the Coast Salish People who came before us and, despite systemic efforts to silence their voices and erase history, are still here today. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Coast Salish peoples.

Camp Sealth is on the unceded ancestral land of the first people of Vashon Island: the Duwamish, the Suquamish, and the Puyallup tribes. Sealth is a namesake from a Duwamish and Suquamish chief, Chief Si’ahl and the Camp Fire Seattle offices are on the land of the Duwamish Tribe. We honor the legacy and the history of these tribes – past, present, and future – and invite you to learn more.

Camp Fire strives to provide diverse, inclusive, and equitable environments throughout our organizations and programs. We recognize that both access to and success in our programs requires intentional work, to cultivate respect, eliminate systemic barriers, and address injustice head-on. We affirm, and support young people and adults of all abilities and disabilities, experiences, races, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, religion and non-religion, citizenship and immigration status, and any other category people use to define themselves or others. We recognize that our efforts will be ongoing and evolving as we continue to grow, learn, collaborate, and press for an equitable future.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

Camp Fire is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sec (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Camp Fire is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Act as a 24-hour on-call group host for assigned schools, retreat groups, and other Camp Sealth events.
• Assist the Outdoor Education and Retreats Director in the operation of the Outdoor Education program.
• Act as the director/point of contact for the Outdoor Education program for teachers, students, and Outdoor Education staff in the absence of the Outdoor Education/Retreats Director.
• Periodically oversee staff during meal operations and kitchen cleaning.
• Periodically oversee staff completing facility upkeep tasks including cabin cleaning, basic maintenance, and scheduled work days.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of Outdoor Education staff training.
• Assist with summer programming including supporting camper arrival days, departure days, and other programming/operational needs as well as occasionally act as a 24-hour on-call staff resource.
• Help maintain Outdoor Education program equipment, supplies, and program areas.
• Collaborate with the Outdoor Education and Retreats Director to review existing programming curricula and develop new programming options.
• Act as a substitute instructor for Outdoor Education and other Camp Sealth programming.
• Assist with additional Camp Sealth operational tasks as needed (cleaning, meal preparation/service, basic maintenance, deep cleaning, etc.).

Essential Experience and Qualifications:   

• Minimum age 21.
• Valid driver’s license, at least 5 years of driving experience, and a clean driving record.
• High school diploma or equivalency.
• At least 1 year of experience with outdoor education, environmental science, recreation, education, or related fields in a professional capacity.
• At least 1 year of experience working with youth ages 7-14.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification (can be obtained and paid for by Camp Sealth after a job offer is made).
• Current Washington Food Handler’s Permit (can be obtained and paid for by Camp Sealth after a job offer is made).

Essential Skills:

• Proficiency in English.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Enthusiasm and cultural responsiveness in working with people of all backgrounds and abilities.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
• Working independently as well as collaboratively with a team on a set of tasks to completion.
• Flexibility to changes in schedule and program plans (sometimes with limited notice).
• Ability to take accountability for one’s actions and their impact on others.
• Ability to accept/provide honest and constructive feedback.
• Basic computer and internet navigation skills.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to hike over uneven/steep terrain for up to 30 minutes at a time.
• Ability to lift and carry items weighing at least 20 pounds.
• Visual/auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental hazards.

Desired Experience & Qualifications:

• At least 1 year of experience in a supervisory role.
• Degree or some college education in environmental science, biology, recreation, education, or a related field.
• Lifeguard certification and experience working as a lifeguard.
• Wilderness First Aid/Wilderness First Responder certification.

Compensation/Benefits:  

• $650.00 per week
• A private room in communal housing with other Program Directors on-site in a rustic heated building with kitchen and laundry facilities.
• Staff receive at least 2 meals per day Monday through Friday at no cost. Staff are also welcome any time meals are being served at Camp Sealth for a rental group or other event. Additionally, Camp Sealth will organize a shuttle to a local grocery store at least once per weekend.
• Paid training and professional development opportunities.
• Free Tele-Health service.
• Hike, enjoy wildlife sightings, and relax on 400 acres of forested property with 1.5 miles of waterfront on Puget Sound.
• Potential for college credit toward recreation, outdoor leadership, and education internships.