Direct Supervisor: Director of Programming

Hours: Full-Time Employment (35 hrs/week) M-F, 10am-3pm* “office hours” with flexible scheduling options beyond these hours *hours may vary beyond these times when in the field

Compensation: $42,000 - $56,500

Preferred Start Timeline: present - 9/23/24

DESCRIPTION:

Muddy Sneakers operates at the crossroads of outdoor science instruction, public education, and conservation to awaken in children a deeply felt connection to the natural world – one that inspires curiosity, stimulates learning, and brings new life to classroom performance. We envision a world where every child has the opportunity to form a connection to nature and benefit from the wellness it provides. We are committed to becoming a national model for closing the science literacy gap, ensuring diversity thrives in the outdoors, and instilling an understanding of one’s role in the greater ecosystem. In doing so, we cultivate healthier generations committed to the stewardship of our natural resources.

Piedmont Hub Program Manager - The Piedmont Hub Program Manager will oversee program delivery for their own group of partner schools. This region is ever-expanding and currently encompasses all counties surrounding Salisbury, NC.

The physical office is located in Salisbury, NC.

The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for overseeing the planning, delivery, and evaluation of all programming conducted by their Region or Group; training, supervision, and evaluation of all field staff; safety and quality of program delivery in all its aspects; some coordination of and communication with school staff, and, in collaboration with other regional leadership, periodic community outreach. The PM is expected to attract, recruit and maintain a highly trained and qualified staff of instructors; provide leadership to the organization in order to produce exceptional programs for students; lead the staff with integrity and provide a strong foundation for the organization’s future by maintaining excellent teacher relations, implementing financially sound practices, and delivering quality curriculum in a safe program environment.

ESSENTIAL ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Education and Program Management

• Oversight of program operational logistics which include: scheduling program dates and staff; maintaining programming vehicle fleet; coordinating inventory and maintaining necessary supplies/equipment.
• Maintain quality programming which may include: periodically shadowing a program; assessing risk management; updating curriculum in accordance with the NC Essential Standards; guide instructor teams in maintaining and developing curriculum content
• Ensure exemplary safety practices in the field to minimize risk to participants and team; keep detailed records and follow up appropriately with all incident reports
• When needed, assist with Community Programs (i.e. non-school programming) and Remote Programming which may include staff scheduling, budgeting and strategy.

Supervision and Human Resources

• Supervise all field staff in the Region or Group including seasonal Field Instructors, Core Instructors, which may include: hiring and recruitment, employee work agreements, scheduling, completing payroll, tracking certifications/trainings, implementing performance reviews, providing coaching, feedback and trainings related to risk management and professional development.
• Ensure employment policies and procedures for programming staff are implemented
• Assist with intern and volunteer management, as needed
• Coordinate cross-regionally to ensure unified public image and standardized programming
• Maintain practices supporting a healthy professional ecosystem which may include: responsive communication, collaboration, work-life harmony, and continued professional growth
• With a focus on Muddy Sneakers’ DEI objectives and strategies, Program Managers are expected to act in furtherance of those objectives for the purpose of recruiting and supporting a more diverse workforce

Relationship Development

• Build close relationships with school partners, specifically at the teacher, parent, and as appropriate, school principal level. This includes soliciting and collecting student/teacher feedback, visiting schools, and shadowing programs alongside school partners.
• As needed, attend community outreach events, school/district functions, and other events in furtherance of regional programming
• Prioritize and take responsibility for the implementation of appropriate external workshop programs with EE/Educational partners such as NCEE, EENC, NCSTA, etc.

Evaluation of Impact

• Assist with the application of research findings and data analysis to continually improve student and teacher experience, curriculum development, and program delivery
• Execute annual organization evaluation processes, including student evaluation and teacher surveys

Budgets & Accounting

• Assist with annual programming budget
• Oversee ongoing program-related budget tracking
• As needed, track expenditures tied to grant funding for auditing and reporting purposes

Marketing and Development

• Collaborate with Field Instructors to collect content related to programming and evaluation of impact
• Support regional fundraising efforts, including our annual Mountainfilm event and occasional grant writing input when needed.

Administrative

• All administrative tasks necessary for successful implementation of programming including: credit card reports, contributing to monthly board reports, attending staff meetings, etc.
• Report programming updates including needs, successes, opportunities, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Curriculum, Training

• Experience in outdoor and science instruction
• Knowledge of science content and best practices in education
• Training skills
• Excellent facilitation and training skills, working with children, adults, and educators
• Ability to interpret results of feedback and evaluation and implement changes
• Curriculum writing
• Significant experience in child and youth education
• Professional background in experiential learning philosophies, curriculum and experience desig

Management

• People management and leadership
• Scheduling proficiency
• Record keeping
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse populations
• Ability to make decisions under pressure
• Proven ability to manage systems for the implementation of curriculum and experiences
• Understanding of management within a non-profit organization
• Strong leaderships skills; demonstrated ability to manage and lead a mature and professional staff and provide accountability
• Ability to create and improve systems and processes
• Demonstrated ability in financial management and sound business judgment
• Experience managing a budget

General

• Flexibility
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Astute attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills
• Skill with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), digital meeting spaces (Zoom, Google Meet), survey tools, and online learning platforms

EXPERIENCE:

• At least 5 years of experience in education or related field, including significant experience in experiential education, teaching, and program administration
• At least 3 years of project management and program management
• At least 3 years experience managing staff and conducting workshops and trainings
• Evidence of continued pursuit of professional growth (Professional development in education, experience design, curriculum development, evaluation, data analysis, human development, online learning, staff training, and other)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Environment: Both the Mountains and Piedmont Program Manager positions require routine in-person collaboration necessitating travel across program regions, in-region office hours, and time spent teaching in the field. There are opportunities to work remotely when appropriate. Program Managers are provided with a laptop computer. Some evening and weekend work is required for special events and programming.

Physical Demands: Requires daily prolonged computer use. Ability to lead groups of students in the field as well as coordinate and accompany guests on expeditions. This includes personal travel across uneven and largely unpaved surfaces.

Working Conditions: Predominantly indoor and some outdoor conditions. A valid driver's license for some statewide travel is required. Muddy Sneakers vehicles can be used for work-related travel, but individuals must be able to get to one of our regional offices (Piedmont or Salisbury) to access these vehicles.

BENEFITS:

• Full-time position (35+ hours/week) with a salary range of $42,000 - $56,500.
• 10% of salary up to $400 monthly offered as healthcare stipend
• 3% 401k match
• Wellness program with associated annual stipend
• Cell phone stipend
• Very competitive PTO schedule with days awarded, not accrued
• 11 additional paid office holidays as well as office closure during the last week in December
• Respect for work-life harmony, including consideration of flexible schedules and occasional remote work
• Pro deals, which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices with established brands
• Opportunity to build a legacy through strengthening public education and connecting children to nature

To Apply

Please Submit a Resume and Cover Letter through our Breezy Platform. Be sure to indicate which location(s) you are applying for.

Hiring Statements

Muddy Sneakers is a NC-based 501(c)3 non-profit environmental education organization with programming offices in Piedmont and Salisbury, North Carolina. We partner with public schools 'to awaken in children a deeply felt connection with the natural world -- one that inspires curiosity, stimulates learning, and brings new life to classroom performance.' The Core Values of Muddy Sneakers include: Access, Belonging, Experiential Learning, Conservation, and Well-Being.

We know that a rich diversity of perspectives and wisdom is imperative to our mission and can only come from a wide variety of life experiences. MS is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and responsive, enabling each of us to realize our potential. Our team is committed to a growth mindset and recognizes that healthy change requires intention, humility, and lifelong learning. MS' work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting and valuing the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.

The requirements listed in our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, and if you have 75% of the qualifications listed we encourage you to apply. Your experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, which helps build the competencies, knowledge, and skills that translate directly to our openings. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

Muddy Sneakers Outdoor Classroom

PO Box 10971

Raleigh NC 27605

828-862-5560

www.muddysneakers.org