General Summary of Position:

The Public Programs Manager is a full-time position that works within our Education Team to coordinate and facilitate educational programming offered to the public. Specifically, this position is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Summer Camp program and our free public events.

Summer Camp: Summer Camp inspires campers to better understand and appreciate the outdoors through a blend of weekly environmental topics, nature exploration, animal encounters, hands-on lessons, games, crafts, and free creek play. This program lasts for 10 weeks during the summer, with roughly 56 campers and junior counselors coming to Bluff Lake daily. Camp is held from 9am-3pm entirely outdoors.

Public Events: Public events are offered year-round. Some programs are led in partnership with long-time Bluff Lake volunteers, such as Bird Walks, Qigong and Mindfulness Walks, Nature Wanders of Wonder, and Earth Listening Circles. Other programs are designed and facilitated by Bluff Lake staff and currently include Family Nature Adventure Days, La Naturaleza Habla Español, and Guided Site Tours.

This position has a Tuesday through Saturday schedule from September through May, and a Monday through Friday schedule June through August. The responsibilities of the Public Programs Manager include the following:

Summer Camp (40%)

• Lead general registration & scholarship registration efforts.
• Hire, onboard, train, schedule, and manage 6-8 summer camp staff and 10+ junior counselors. 
• Lead all staff and parent communication related to summer camp. Serve as the on-site point of contact for all parents and contractors.
• Develop and implement 10 weeks of age appropriate summer camp curriculum.
• Budget for materials, program expenses, and staff wages in conjunction with the Education Director. Order all necessary supplies for summer camp .
• Support the Education Director as needed with licensing. This includes collecting and maintaining all necessary summer staff paperwork, and upholding site standards.
• Develop and implement evaluation criteria for Summer Camp to ensure the quality of the program. 
• Develop community/organizational partnerships to introduce new communities to our programs and scholarships, and to connect our campers with strong and impactful experiences.

Public Events (20%)

• Lead development of public programs based on public interest and multidisciplinary ways of engaging with Bluff Lake
• Lead logistics, scheduling, facilitation, coordination, and registration efforts for all public programs.

• Create public program specific volunteer opportunities and training in coordination with the Education Director.
• Serve as the main point of contact for all public programs.
• Coordinate, advertise, and lead our annual Boo on the Bluff event for 500+ people
• Activate our building through new programs that regularly engage our community.

Curriculum Development (15%)

• As delegated by the Education Director, develop curriculum for programs, including but not limited to summer camp, public programs, and outreach booths.

Facilitation (15%)

• Coordinate and facilitate seasonal single day mini camps. 
• As needed, assist with the facilitation of programs that support BLNC mission, vision, and values including but not limited to OHE, field trips, after school, scout programs, weekend and outreach booths, family events, and more. Be prepared for physical activities such as hiking (up to 2 miles); wading in Sand Creek (the creek bed is rocky and can be slippery); managing varying weather conditions including snow, rain, and wind; carrying supplies with you in a backpack all day; filling and moving water jugs; and helping set up tables, chairs, and tents.

Administration, Marketing, & Budgeting (10%)

• Manage designated budget in coordination with the Education Director.
• Maintain accurate numbers reports for all camps and public programs.
• Maintain data entry in BLNC database for all program participants, partners, volunteers, attendees, in coordination with the Development Director.
• Maintain organized education materials both onsite and in the office.
• Participate in related staff activities, including but not limited to training, public events, special programs, planning sessions, and staff meetings.
• Support Education team in effectively marketing programs through social media, flyering, and paid advertisements. 

Qualifications

• For licensing purposes, the Public Programs Manager must have verifiable education or training in work with school-age children in such areas as recreation, education, scouting or 4-H; and the program director must have completed at least one of the following qualifications:
• A four year degree with a major such as recreation, outdoor education, education with a specialty in art, elementary or early childhood education, or a subject in the human service field; OR 
• Two years of college training and 6 months (910 hours) of satisfactory and verifiable full-time or equivalent part-time experience, since attaining the age of 19 in the care and supervision of four or more children; OR
• Three years (5460 hours) of satisfactory and verifiable full time or equivalent part time experience and one of the following qualifications:
• Complete 6 semester hours, or nine quarter hours in course work from a regionally accredited college or university; OR
• 40-clock-hours of training in course work applicable to school-age children and the department-approved courses in injury prevention, and playground safety for School-Aged Child Care Centers within the first nine months of employment.
• Strong commitment to BLNC and its mission of making nature and environmental education more accessible and equitable
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in education, administration, wildlife biology or closely related field AND/OR at least 2 combined years of experience in environmental education; program management, review, development, non-profits, or a closely related field
• Strong organizational and communication skills with adults and children
•  Background check and fingerprints submitted and cleared by the Colorado Department of Human Services (BLNC helps and pays for this) 
• Team player, enthusiastic, organized, creative, critical thinker, and self-motivated
• Reliable transportation to Bluff Lake
• Ability to work independently and on multiple projects
• Desire and ability to communicate clearly and positively, and cooperate well, with co-workers, volunteers, visitors, contractors, partners and others
• Ability to problem solve, show initiative, and make sound decisions needed to fulfill job duties and meet organizational objectives
• Basic computer skills such as Xcel, Word, and email
• Candidates who speak fluent Spanish will be given additional compensation, but it is not required