Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute

Position Available:	Year Round
Hourly Rate or Pay Range:	Commensurate with experience
Application Deadline:	Position open until filled.

Under the guidance of the manager of Outdoor Pursuits, the coordinator of Outdoor Pursuits serves as an essential member of a collaborative leadership team which is responsible for the successful daily operation and management of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute’s Outdoor Pursuits program.

The coordinator of Outdoor Pursuits will (1) manage all Outdoor Pursuits equipment and supply systems including requisitions, inventory, revenue tracking/reporting, maintenance/repair, retirement and storage facility oversight; (2) provide direct managerial oversight of the Institute’s Logistical Support Center (LSC) and Nordic Ski Center (NSC); (3) oversee training and development of student technicians in the LSC and NSC in areas of equipment maintenance, equipment repair, inventory management and rental and rations operations; (5) serve as the Outdoor Pursuits safety officer; and (6) coordinate annual wilderness medicine course offerings.

Additionally, the coordinator of Outdoor Pursuits will support the manager in (1) program development, marketing, budget management, personnel management, land management permitting, and risk management; as well as in (2) collaborative supervision, mentorship, and support of the Outdoor Pursuits services fellow. The coordinator of Outdoor Pursuits may also have opportunities to instruct one-credit-hour introductory outdoor technical skills courses for the Northland College outdoor education academic program.

This position requires independent work on assignments, significant independent decision making, and self-motivated direction setting. Completion of tasks without consistent direct supervision is required. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication (oral and written) skills are essential. Must be able to manage multiple priorities to meet due dates. Attention to detail and good judgment are vital requirements.

Responsibilities and Qualifications

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Manage comprehensive Outdoor Pursuits gear and supply requisitions and inventories (including, but not limited to):
  • Business-to-business and program purchase (‘Pro-Deal’) relationship management
  • Manage student staff and professional staff pro-deal purchasing
  • Facilitate gear and supply requisitions and accurate record keeping of both orders and shipments
  • Create, edit, and organize inventory documentation, and manage records utilizing appropriate editing applications
  • Administration of, and staff training in, Current RMS inventory management software
  • Train and monitor student staff adherence to inventory organization and management systems
  • Coordinate annual or bi-annual gear retirement process and public sale
  • Collaborate with the manager on annual selection and procurement of staff apparel
  • Work as a liaison with other campus programs and departments that utilize LSC procurement
• Serve as Outdoor Pursuits safety officer (including, but not limited to):
  • Manage SDS information, PPE access, and staff adherence
  • Coordinate incident analyses and reporting, including updated incident report documentation
  • Plan and implement staff safety and risk management development sessions
  • Coordinate appropriate stocks/condition/accessibility of program and service area first aid kits and satellite communication devices
• Coordinate the annual wilderness medicine recertification and full courses (including, but not limited to):
  • Manage all aspects of hosting courses including scheduling, pricing, promotion, and logistical support
  • Serve as liaison between Outdoor Pursuits and course provider
  • Serve as liaison between Outdoor Pursuits and Northland College’s Office of Marketing Communications for course promotion and registration logistics
  • Serve as liaison between Outdoor Pursuits and course registrants
  • Collaborate with manager of Outdoor Pursuits on course pricing and budget tracking/reporting
  • Serve as liaison/site host for visiting course instructor, providing logistical support during both the three-day recertification course and the nine-day full course
• Manage daily operations of the Logistical Support Center and Nordic Ski Center (including, but not limited to):
  • Hire, train, supervise, mentor/develop, approve timecards, and evaluate LSC and NSC student technicians
  • Ensure effective, reliable, high-quality, and timely operations and services which support the equipment and ration needs of faculty conducting field-based academic courses, Outdoor Pursuits outings and trips, and of other College programs
  • Maintain clean, organized, and efficient spaces, including the main Nordic Ski Center room, the main LSC room, the water main room, the ‘Dungeon’ spaces, the loading dock shop, and the satellite boat shed
  • Manage rations planning, inventory, and packing, ensuring accordance with Wisconsin food code
  • Plan and facilitate biweekly LSC and NSC student technician staff meetings
  • Maintain accurate records and timely monthly revenue and spending reporting to the manager of Outdoor Pursuits
• Manage the Nordic ski trails with the support of the manager and Outdoor Pursuits fellows (including, but not limited to):
  • Carry out summer/fall trail maintenance including trail clearing, tree pruning, and mowing
  • Manage grooming equipment including the compaction drag, snow roller, and additional gator safety equipment in concert with the College’s maintenance department/Sodexo
  • Hire, train, supervise, schedule, and manage grooming crew, stepping in to groom when necessary
  • Create, update, and maintain trail signage
• In tandem with the manager of Outdoor Pursuits, mentor the Outdoor Pursuits services fellow (including, but not limited to):
  • Support the fellow in overall management of day-to-day operations and student supervision of the:
    • Outpost, Adventure Resource Center, and outdoor clothing closet program
    • Northland College Bouldering Wall
    • Nordic Ski Center
  • Train the Outdoor Pursuits services fellow on workplace safety practices and work with and assist them to ensure that their staff are adhering to these practices
• Work as a member of the Outdoor Pursuits Administrative Team (including, but not limited to):
  • Collaborate with the manager in the daily operation of Outdoor Pursuits
  • Assist with budget management, expense tracking, and strategic planning
  • Attend biweekly Outdoor Pursuits administrators’ meetings
  • Assist in the planning and implementation of monthly Outdoor Pursuits staff in-services
  • Assist with Outdoor Pursuits marketing, assessment, and risk management
  • Work to ensure a genuine, team-oriented community environment within Outdoor Pursuits
  • Provide leadership to the occasional wilderness-based trips, potentially lasting for multiple days
  • Continue professional development through involvement in professional organizations and participating in regular continuing education
  • Potentially instruct one-credit-hour skills courses in the outdoor education academic program each semester
• Other duties as assigned

Time Commitment

• Regularly scheduled office hours, 9:00 a.m–5:30 p.m Monday–Friday, and occasional evenings and weekends as needed
• Possibility for field instruction as needed

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Previous position-specific employment, skills, and/or knowledge
• Demonstrated practical experience in leading group experiential learning-based outdoor trips varying from one to eight days in length
• Demonstrated technical skill proficiency leading at least one outdoor pursuit (e.g. backpacking, sea kayaking, flatwater canoeing, white water canoeing, white water kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, rock climbing, ice climbing, fly-fishing) and be able to teach participants at a beginner level
• Current Wilderness First Responder certification

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters’ degree in related field
• Current certification through at least one nationally recognized association (American Mountain Guides Association, Professional Climbing Instructors Association, American Canoe Association, Leave No Trace, Wilderness Education Association, etc.)
• Proficiency with basic professional productivity applications:
  • Microsoft Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Adobe Creative Cloud applications (e.g. InDesign, Acrobat DC, Illustrator, Photoshop)
  • Communication and task management applications (e.g. Slack, Asana)
  • Online graphic design platforms (e.g. Canva)

Department Details

Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute

How to Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for at least three professional references.

Position open until filled. Apply Online

Contact: Office of Human Resources humanresources@northland.edu