ABOUT DEER HILL EXPEDITIONS

Deer Hill’s mission is to empower the individual to create authentic connection to self and community through wilderness and reciprocal  service learning experiences. Through Deer Hill’s unique blend of wilderness challenge and cross-cultural interaction with families in Diné (Navajo), Hopi, or Zuni communities, participants experience profound growth and self-discovery as well as good fun and adventure. Deer Hill serves youth between the ages of 11-18 for our summer expeditions and participants of all ages for group programs. Deer Hill serves people from a vast variety of backgrounds and locations across the world. Learn more at:  www.deerhillexpeditions.com 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Deer Hill Expeditions (DHE) is seeking to hire a skilled, motivated, and experienced individual for the Staff Manager position. This administrative position is year-round. Primary responsibilities include the hiring, training, onboarding, evaluation, and management of seasonal Program Leaders, Field Staff, Instructors & Assistant Instructors. Other responsibilities include: managing state regulations as it pertains to staffing, upholding the DHE accreditation standards through the Association of Experiential Education, participating in the Risk Management Committee, ensuring receipt of necessary employment paperwork, updating employee files, contracting employees, tracking and submitting field instructor payroll, filing Workers Compensation claims, updating staff manuals and educational curriculum.. The ideal candidate is attentive to details and deadlines, organized, self-motivated, and adaptable. This position requires clear communication skills, patience, and humor. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Deliver current briefing and debriefing topics, address risk management issues, and promote instructor development through ongoing education and feedback.  
• Role model the  DHE mission, values, and culture and ensure that field instructors do the same
• Optimize existing sources and develop new ones  for staff recruitment and training. 
• Process and manage staff paperwork including background checks, licenses, certifications, workers compensation, and more
• Develop and deliver annual field staff trainings in collaboration with the Director of Operations
• Be an integral member of  the Deer Hill Risk Management Committee
• Review and maintain staff manuals, curriculum and written educational tools. 
• 5-6 day work weeks when programs are in progress (March-Oct). Occasional periods of extended work days (up to 10 days in a row); we do our best to offset these with  extended periods of time off during off season, shorter work days Oct.-February, and remote work options Nov-Jan. 
• Manager on Duty 40-60 days per year, which includes on-call responsibilities when programs are in progress.
• Staff Manager is a core member of the Operations team, and works closely with them to support spring/summer interns, complete resupplies, and help address unpredictable needs that arise when programs are in the field.
• Optimize existing systems and develop/innovate new systems when needed

ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position is approximately 80% administrative and 20% field/operations duties.
• 5-6 day work weeks when programs are in progress (March-Oct). Occasional periods of extended work days (10 days in a row); we do our best to offset these with  extended periods of time off during off season, shorter work weeks Oct-Feb, and remote work options Nov-Jan. 
• Manager on Duty 40-60 days per year, which includes on-call responsibilities when programs are in progress.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Passionate about the impacts and benefits of outdoor experiential education and culturally immersive experiences
• Outgoing, friendly, positive attitude that is centered around collaboration and teamwork
• Experience creating field instructor and student-centered curriculum
• Ability to multitask and perform job responsibilities well under pressure; distress tolerance is essential
• Highly organized and attentive to details and timelines
• A self motivated, adaptable, natural problem solver
• Excellent and clear verbal and written communication skills via in-person, phone, text, video & email.
• Conflict resolution and peer mediation skills
• Unwavering commitment to the success of the program participants and employees
• Ability to give and receive positive and constructive feedback
• Demonstrated tolerance for adversity and challenge
• Must love people, nature, culture, wildness, and challenge 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Current WFR certification (required before Spring season starts). 
• Swift Water Rescue certification highly desirable
• 7 + years of experience/expertise in wilderness experiential education (Outdoor Ed. degree preferred)
• Professional-level competency in wilderness risk management
• Prior experience and proven success as a supervisor/manager
• Skilled with Apple computers, Google Workspace, Google Sheets, Slack,  email correspondence.
• Reliable access to a cell phone and live within cell phone service

BENEFITS:

• Salary: $50-55K, year round, full time
• Up to 3% SIMPLE IRA employer-matched contribution
• 20 days PTO + Christmas week off (paid)
• 32-hour work weeks Oct-Feb
• Structured remote work options Nov-Feb
• Access to industry pro deals
• Access to Deer Hill equipment and gear (depending on availability)
• Many (not every) meals available during program season
• Temporary housing may be available (please ask)

TO APPLY:

Apply online at: deerhillexpeditions.com/index/employment You will be asked to upload a résumé and cover letter. 

For questions, please email our Executive Director, James Simmons:  james@deerhillexpeditions.com