Adventures Without Limits Hiring for Program Coordinator at Forest Grove, Oregon Full Time

POSITION TITLE: Program Coordinator (PC)

Full time, varies (approximately 0.75 FTE equivalent w/ 2 months off November/December)

Adventures Without Limits – Forest Grove, OR

Start Date: January 4, 2023

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Adventures Without Limits (AWL) is a small non-profit with a big mission! Our team is passionate about our mission to provide opportunity and adventure to all people, regardless of ability level, socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity, or age. We believe that everyone should have access to the mental, physical, and social benefits of time spent outdoors. Our programs aim to inspire personal growth, instill confidence, develop peer relationships, and enhance awareness of the natural environment through whitewater rafting, flatwater kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, climbing, and camping trips. We work with adults and youth alike, including individuals with disabilities, people experiencing poverty, nonprofit partners, and corporate groups from Forest Grove and the greater Portland Metro area. At AWL, we value an inclusive atmosphere that encourages shared growth and learning among both staff and participants. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Adventures Without Limits is looking to add a Program Coordinator to our team! If you are looking for the next step in your guiding career, this could be a great fit for you! The PC’s will work closely with the Director of Outreach and Development (DOD) and the Operations Manager (OM) in a team setting to ensure quality programing. While there are specific skills we are looking to find, if you believe you are a good fit, we want to hear why! 

As a Program Coordinator (PC), your primary responsibility will be guiding outdoor trips for a wide variety of populations. Program Coordinator candidates can expect to primarily work as a Lead Adventure Guide, supporting single and multi-day programs from mid May to early September. During these months, additional responsibilities include; managing and maintenance of relevant outdoor equipment, pre/post program communication and logistics, and leading a small team of guides, interns, and volunteers during programs. On trips, each PC is expected to act as the Trip Leader, modeling best guiding practices and AWL values in the field, and acting as a mentor to seasonal guides, interns, and volunteers. As Trip Leader, your responsibility also includes implementing Risk Management strategies in the field, and instructing and facilitating skills to seasonal guides and participants. Leading up to, and post Summer season, PC’s can expect to work on projects including; marketing, social media, development and fundraising, volunteer management, staff training, gear maintenance, and other projects as needed/dictated by each candidate’s professional experience. 

IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:

• Uphold AWL’s mission, policies, procedures, and philosophies relating to accommodations and inclusion 
• Guide outdoor adventure programs, and facilitate fun, safe, outdoor recreation trips
• Lead and instruct whitewater rafting, flatwater kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, camping, and climbing programs
• Work with participants experiencing a range of disabilities and think critically to meet their needs by leveraging adaptive equipment, behavioral support, or other creative solutions
• Assist the program team to develop, schedule, and manage AWL programs
• Transport equipment and passengers to and from activity locations in a 15-passenger van or minibus with a trailer
• Work in a variety of settings, weather conditions, and locations

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

Candidates will be considered based on a combination of their hard skills, and professional experience in a multitude of areas. This includes both outdoor guiding skills, as well as any skills and experience you have that may benefit AWL and the organization as a whole. As you look through this section of the job description, please note areas in which you have experience, want to grow, and areas of interest. In your cover letter, mention these areas, and include any additional skills or experience you have that you may be able to bring to AWL.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU:

Outdoor Guiding 

• Professional experience guiding class III+ whitewater rafting. Paddle guide experience required.
• Professional experience guiding some or all of the following activities: flatwater kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, rock climbing, and/or cross country skiing
• Experience assessing and implementing risk management practices as it relates to outdoor and/or adaptive programs
• Experience or the ability to learn to drive vans with trailers
• Swiftwater Rescue Training Certification (SRT-1), or the ability to obtain this in the first year of employment
• Wilderness First Responder certification, or the ability to obtain in the first 6 months of employment
• Must have a valid driver’s license,  with no negative incidents 
• Must be able to pass a background check and complete required trainings
• Ability to lift 75 lbs repeatedly, navigate uneven terrain, load, manage equipment and gear, working long hours in a variety of outdoor settings, including rivers, lakes, forests, mountains, under a range of weather conditions

Nonprofit Administration

• Working knowledge of or willingness to learn  Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), anti-racism, anti-ableism principles
• Experience working with diverse populations including at-risk youth, people with disabilities, people of diverse cultural backgrounds, and underserved communities 
• Excellent communication and writing skills

WE ALSO LIKE TO SEE:

Outdoor Guiding

• Experience rowing oar-rig rafts, gear boating, and guiding multi-day raft trips
• Experience with some or all of the following activities: flatwater kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, rock climbing, backcountry camping, snowshoeing, and/or cross country skiing
• Experience or interest in environmental  education
• Familiarity with outdoor gear, equipment, trailers, and vehicles
• Certifications in outdoor instruction or recreation (AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, ACA, Leave No Trace, etc)
• Oregon area recreation knowledge or experience
• Ability to adapt to changing situations while also prioritizing safety and upholding a quality experience
• Experience managing trip logistics including purchasing, packing and preparing program equipment 
• Experience managing pre/post trip communications with guides, volunteers, participants and the leadership team 
• Multilingual, language skills in Spanish and/or American Sign Language

Nonprofit Administration

• Experience with, and understanding of non-profit organizations
• Experience with grant writing, fundraising campaigns, donor engagement, or other non-profit development experience. 
• Experience with marketing, outreach, and communications
• Experience managing professional social media platforms and creating content. Specifically Instagram and Facebook platforms
• Experience with or interest in Volunteer Management 
• Experience with or the ability to learn scheduling, registration, and website software
• Google Suite experience (gmail, shared drives, google docs)

WHY AWL?

The Adventures Without Limits team works together closely to ensure all aspects of our programs are serving our mission and community as a whole. Diversity, inclusion, and authenticity are core values at AWL. We are constantly striving to hire those with similar or shared lived experiences as our community members. We highly encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives. BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and candidates living with a disability are highly encouraged to apply. No matter who you are, if inclusive recreation is your passion, we want to hear from you! 

IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR BRILLIANCE, YOU WILL RECEIVE:

$28,000 – $30,000 (DOE) with benefits, including:

• 9 days of vacation, 7 day sick leave
• 4 paid holidays 
• Health and dental insurance; covered at 75% 
• 403b retirement plan
• Professional development opportunities
• 2 months off: November & December (negotiable depending on organization and program needs)

SCHEDULE: Adventures Without Limits operates year-round adaptive recreation programming, with our busiest season during the summer months, May through September. The Program Coordinator will be asked to work full time during the summer months, including weekends, and overnight trips. The hours will taper during the shoulder seasons (January through April, October) with roles and responsibilities shifting to support nonprofit management work, including but not limited to: fundraising/development, marketing, communications, volunteer management, in addition to winter programming.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: This position will work out of our office located in Forest Grove, OR. You will work collaboratively with the entire AWL team, with the goal of supporting each other professionally in order to produce safe and successful programs. Your time will be split between the office/warehouse and in the field for programs. During our busy season (May-Sept) expect to spend 80% of your time in the field and 20% of your time with trip prep and gear management. Trip days are often 8-12 hour days, and include weekends. During the slower months (Jan – April, October) the hours will taper depending on program activities, and the PC can expect to spend their time supporting the leadership team with volunteer management, program development, and fundraising projects, while still supporting Winter, Fall, and Spring programming. 

HOW TO APPLY:

Please email a resume, cover letter, relevant certifications, references, and a trip log with each file labeled “Last Name, First Name, Document (ie. resume)” to [email protected], with “Program Coordinator” in the subject line. Priority Deadline for Applications: November 30th, 2022 by 11:59 pm. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 

EMPLOYMENT TIMELINE (subject to change based on applications received)

11/30/22 – Priority deadline to apply

12/5 – 12/14 – Interviews

12/19 – Notification of employment

1/4/23 – Anticipated start date*

*Later start date (February – April) may be considered for one of the two positions. If this timeline does not match prior commitments but you are interested in joining our team, please state this in your cover letter.

COVID-19

All staff are required to comply with our COVID-19 staff policy which requires a COVID-19 vaccination unless an exemption is authorized. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Adventures Without Limits is an equal opportunity employer. Diversity and inclusion are core values at AWL, and applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, ability, and perspectives are highly encouraged to apply. We are prepared to provide an interpreter for the interview process. Additional arrangements may be arranged as needed.