Catamount Institute is a nonprofit dedicated to connecting kids to the outdoors through engaging outdoor environmental educational programs. For the past 29 years, we’ve served tens of thousands of children in the Pikes Peak Region, engaging 5,057 youth in 2025 alone. We’re seeking a full-time Mountain Campus Programs and Operations Manager who is passionate about outdoor education programming, committed to excellence, detail-oriented, and adaptable. The ideal candidate is highly organized, calm under pressure, and skilled at communication, logistics, and building strong relationships with youth, families, partners, and rental clients.

Summary:

The Mountain Campus Programs and Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the coordination, daily operations, and successful delivery of programs at Catamount Institute’s Mountain Campus and Aspen Valley Ranch in Woodland Park. This includes on-site logistics for outdoor education programs, staff and volunteer coordination, partnership communications, program scheduling, and ensuring a positive and safe campus experience for all participants and guests. 

As a manager-level role, this position supervises the Mountain Campus Caretaker, ensuring facilities are properly maintained, tasks are completed, and campus safety standards are upheld. The Programs and Operations Manager is also a key player in emergency preparedness and on-site emergency response, serving as the primary point of contact during incidents at the Mountain Campus. This role also manages facility rentals for company retreats, including communications, tours, contracts and waivers, on-site logistics, partnership relations, and reporting. 

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities):

Leadership, Supervision, and Team Collaboration 

• Supervise the Mountain Campus Caretaker, including weekly task lists, work prioritization, problem-solving, and performance expectations.
• Meet regularly to review facility needs, repairs, safety concerns, supply needs, and  upcoming program or rental schedules. 
• Ensure campus policies, safety protocols, and visitor regulations are implemented consistently. 
• Communicate weekly schedules, upcoming campus use, and logistical support needed to the Catamount Institute team. 
• Support staff and volunteers working at the Mountain Campus, providing guidance, direction, and logistical support. 
• Assist with coordinating volunteer maintenance projects or special workdays, when applicable. 

Program Coordination (Mountain Campus and Aspen Valley Ranch) 

• Coordinate all scheduling for Mountain Campus programs, including overnight and day programs, field trips, camps, and community partner programs. 
• Maintain an accurate online calendar and registration system for Mountain Campus offerings. 
• Coordinate staff assignments and program needs with the Director of Environmental Education and communicate program logistics to staff and partners. 
• Communicate with parents, teachers, and partners to provide program details, expectations, and logistics. 
• Serve as a back-up educator when needed. 
• Be on-site for programs conducted at Aspen Valley Ranch to support educators and ensure emergency readiness when Catamount Institute programs occur there. 
• Track program data (attendance, budgets, evaluation data) for organizational and grant reporting. 
• Ensure all programs follow established safety and emergency protocols. 

Emergency Preparedness and Response 

• Serve as the primary on-site emergency response at the Mountain Campus during operating hours and at Aspen Valley Ranch when programs are facilitated there.. 
• Coordinate emergency communication with the Executive Director, emergency services, and campus users during incidents. 
• Maintain emergency supplies, first-aid materials, signage, and incident logs. 
• Ensure all staff, visitors, and rental groups understand emergency procedures (evaluation, fire, wildlife encounters, medical incidents, severe weather). 
• Conduct regular safety walk-throughs with the Caretaker to identify and mitigate hazards. 

Campus Stewardship & Conservation Education

• Guide and welcome groups in a way that builds a strong sense of place and connects visitors to the Mountain Campus’s ecology, history, and purpose.
• Share the land’s conservation story, including its protection through partnership with Palmer Land Trust and respond to the frequent interest in how the campus came to be.
• Articulate Catamount Institute’s mission, vision, and the Mountain Campus’s unique history during programs, tours, and retreat visits.
• Promote stewardship principles and environmentally responsible campus use through all interactions with youth, partners, and visitors.

Company Retreat and Facility Rental Coordination 

• Serve as the primary contact for all retreat and rental inquiries for the Mountain Campus. 
• Provide tours (virtual or in-person) and communicate amenities, pricing, availability, policies and waiver requirements. 
• Coordinate rental agreements, contracts and waivers, timelines, and required documentation. 
• Assist retreat groups with scheduling, logistics, and on-site support as needed. 
• Liaise with company representatives before, during, and after retreats to ensure a smooth and professional experience. 
• Work with the Caretaker to ensure campus readiness (lodging, common areas, trails, meeting spaces, waiver copies, etc.). 

Administrative & Communication Duties 

• Prepare and deliver marketing materials, such as flyers, banners, and signage for Mountain Campus programs and retreat rentals. 
• Update website information related to Mountain Campus opportunities. 
• Assist with social media content highlighting Mountain Campus activities. 
• Attend required staff meetings, orientations, fundraising events, and trainings (some evenings/weekends). 
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, the Director of Environmental Education, and partners to develop MOUs/contracts. 
• Attend occasional Colorado Springs–based events or meetings as needed. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Primary work location is the Catamount Institute Mountain Campus and Aspen Valley Ranch partner site in Woodland Park, with occasional duties in Colorado Springs. 
• Work takes place in both indoor and outdoor environments, including natural areas, school settings, and community locations. 
• This position primarily operates in an office setting with extensive use of a computer, phone, and other standard office equipment.  
• This role requires prolonged periods of sitting, typing, and viewing a computer screen to manage scheduling, communication, and program logistics.  
• Outdoor programs occur year-round and in varying weather conditions, including rain, snow, heat, and cold.  
• Programs may involve hiking, setting up outdoor learning spaces, and physically active facilitation. Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.  
• Occasionally required to walk, stand, and engage with youth for extended periods. May also stoop, kneel, crouch, or sit on the ground as part of instruction.  
• Sensory demands include visual supervision and auditory response in indoor and outdoor spaces.  
• Driving a 15-passenger van or bus, as needed, to transport youth, materials, or take vehicles in for maintenance is required.  
• The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week. Monday through Friday from 8am-4:30pm. Some evening and weekend hours are required to support programs, events, or community engagement activities.  
• May be exposed to insect bites, wildlife encounters, allergens, uneven terrain, and cleaning materials.  
• Emotional resilience and a calm, professional demeanor are required in dynamic program settings.  

Required Qualifications:

• Passion for our mission to connect kids to the outdoors.  
• 2–5 years of experience in program management, hospitality/sales management, outdoor education, event/logistics management, or related fields. 
• Experience supervising staff, contractors, or volunteers. 
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. 
• High organizational capacity with the ability to manage multiple moving pieces. 
• Comfortable working independently in a remote campus setting. 
• Ability to respond confidently, calmly, and professionally in emergency situations. 
• Ability to build positive relationships with youth, families, community partners, and rental clients. 
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and online registration systems; experience with Camp Brain, Canva, Jotform, Meta Business Suite, or similar tools preferred. 
• Adaptability and strong problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff across multiple locations. 
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and welcoming experiences for all. 
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions. 
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and ability to drive a 15-passenger van or bus (must be age 25+ to be listed on our company insurance). 
• Ability to pass a background check. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (education, hospitality, business, recreation management, environmental studies, etc.). 
• Experience in customer service, facility rentals, or outdoor sites. 
• Experience in emergency response, wilderness first aid, or incident management (WFA/WFR a plus). 
• Knowledge of Leave No Trace principles.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay: $57,784 per year
• Paid federal holidays, sick time, and generous PTO  
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Retirement plan for qualifying staff 
• Professional development opportunities  

Diversity and Equal Opportunity: Catamount Institute shall not discriminate against any employee, volunteer, or program participant on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, disability, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, marital, parental, veteran or military status, political service, or membership, participation or association with any employee organization. We provide equal employment and volunteer opportunities to all individuals based on relevant qualifications and abilities.