Extended Adventures Manager

Wilderness Inquiry’s mission is to connect people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and abilities through shared outdoor adventures so that all people can equitably experience the benefits of time spent in nature.

At Wilderness Inquiry, we believe that everyone belongs. We work to ensure this belief holds true in our workplace, in our community, and in the outdoors. We pursue this belief through our mission and shared values of paddling together, nurturing inclusion, seeking the exceptional, and finding a way.  

Position Summary & Dimensions

Summary

The Extended Adventures Manager plays a pivotal role in advancing and improving Wilderness Inquiry’s extended and near-nature overnight programs and travel opportunities. As a core member of the Adventures department, this position works collaboratively to design and develop new itineraries and ensure effective data management for extended and near-nature overnight adventures. This position supervises and provides leadership to other team members and may include occasional travel to strategically identified destinations. 

Dimensions

• Working Title: Extended Adventures Manager
• Position Classification: Manager
• Employment Conditions: Exempt
• Department/Section: Programs and Adventures
• Classification Starting Range: $62,000-$75,000
• Reports To: Sr Manager of Extended & Career Pathways
• Supervisory Responsibilities: Outdoor Leader Coordinators
• Environment: Hybrid, with some days reporting to the Wilderness Inquiry office in Bloomington; additional days spent on trail.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities

Responsibility 1: Develop New and Custom Itineraries (50% FTE)
Tasks

• Lead a team in designing new extended (EXT) and near nature overnight (NNO) itineraries for public and private audiences in collaboration with the sales department 
• Manage the 48-month trip development calendar timeline and database processes under the guidance of the Senior Manager of Extended & Career Pathways, ensuring trips are created and posted for optimal marketability 
• Support team of account managers in creating customized options within existing itineraries for private group travel requests 
• Ensure all active EXT and NNO itineraries have accurate, up-to-date operational information reflected internally in FileMaker Pro database and prepared for handoff to the Marketing team

Responsibility 2: Extended & Near Nature Overnight Program Logistics (25% FTE)
Tasks

• Manage database processes for obtaining and recording reservations and permits for all Wilderness Inquiry EXT & NNO trips
• Coordinate and communicate with land management agencies and service providers to ensure program sites are adequate and safe and track communication records in the relevant technological systems 
• Manage destination and itinerary data systems and improvement/feedback processes to ensure accuracy and relevancy of content
• Prepare accurate destination and itinerary content and ensure it is communicated to marketing team for external audiences in a timely manner
• Prepare financial projections for new and existing itineraries based on actual variable expenses

Responsibility 3: Extended Team Programming & Accountability Management (25% FTE)
Tasks

• Supervise Outdoor Leader Coordinators (OLCs) in project work related to itinerary build out, account management, EXT/NNO curriculum development, and other focus areas
• Support professional development opportunities and growth pathways for OLCs 
• Act as Trip Director for specific itineraries
• Act as Account Manager for private groups
• Develop content and support training for Trip Directors and Outdoor Leaders as it relates to destination and itinerary information

Responsibility 4: Embrace Values, Community Agreements and Other Roles/Responsibilities as Assigned.

Perform all job responsibilities in a manner that centers Wilderness Inquiry values and supports a healthy, safe, and productive work environment for all employees, adhering to our Workplace Community Agreements.

Please note: These are not intended to encompass all roles and responsibilities of this position; other duties may be assigned at the discretion of the supervisor.

Qualities we are looking for in this position:

• Passion for WI’s mission
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Outstanding written and communication skills
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Willingness to listen and learn 
• A self-starter who takes initiative
• Results-driven
• Enjoys variety and is open to learning new roles

Minimum Requirements: 

• B.A. or equivalent degree and 2 years of program development or comparable experience in a non-profit organization; or 4 years of program development or comparable experience in a non-profit organization 
• 2 years experience acting in a supervisory capacity for full-time employees 
• Demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and ability to follow through, complete tasks independently, and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated competence/experience with technology, specifically with computers and databases

Preferred Qualifications: 

• 3 years related experience in experiential program or travel development and coordination
• Demonstrated experience with outdoor recreation/travel either professionally or personally
• Demonstrated experience with project management 
• Willingness to travel overnight for work (1-3 weeks annually)

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear, and use hands to handle or touch objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally be able to lift and carry heavy loads up to 50lbs over rough terrain for distances of up to 1,000 feet. On occasion the employee must be able to make loud verbal commands, sit and stand for significant periods of time while also directing vessels such as a canoe, use vision to directionally navigate safely, and endure a wide variety of temperatures and elements. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to see while using a standard computer screen, close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The above statements reflect the primary duties and functions of the position and are not intended to describe all of the work requirements that may be inherent in the role.