Job Summary:
The Wilderness Camp Executive Director is responsible for delivering high-quality wilderness programs for all participants, including youth, families, and adults. The role encompasses overseeing daily activities to ensure the organization runs efficiently, creating strategies to help the organization excel, such as financially beneficial strategies for the future, and marketing the organization to gain funding. In partnership with the Program Directors, the incumbent recruits, hires, trains, and supervises a diverse and high-performing seasonal staff team. The incumbent sets the strategic direction of the camp and achieves annual fundraising goals in partnership with the Mission Advancement team and the volunteer Community Council. The incumbent has oversight over all programs, facilities, land management, and provides direction to the team. Ensuring a safe and enriching environment for campers while promoting the organization's core values and maintaining productive interactions with the board of directors is also a crucial aspect of this role.
Essential Functions:
Supervise camp operating team, including but not limited to Program Director(s) and Property Manager. Oversee the recruiting, hiring, training, and supervising the seasonal staff of 60+. Communicate directly with program supervisors, full time and seasonal staff to build skill sets and reach both individual and location goals. Oversee expedition program quality, risk management, camper and staff satisfaction. Ensure high-quality outdoor education, teambuilding and retreat programs. Deliver relevant programming in the areas of leadership development, progressive skill development, and social emotional learning. Perform day-to-day operations of camper services, including the oversight of risk management, crisis response, and facility excellence. Support and engage in vendor relation management for program success. Manage the budget, including fiscally responsible decision making, site based business plan, and strategic direction. Perform annual reviews of part-time and full-time team members. Develop and implement recruiting and retention strategies for diverse seasonal work force. Maintain accurate and comprehensive records and files related to participant health and team member performance. Evaluate the camps programs on an on-going basis involving all stakeholders including team members, community partners, participants, campers, parents, and volunteers. Provide risk management oversight for field programs, including compliance with required training, policy review and updates, emergency response, management of evacuations and camper behavior challenges (including family contact), and incident reporting. Execute a high level of judgment and independent decision making aligned with the adventure/camping vision. In collaboration with the Program Directors, this position will oversee all programs and work with the marketing team to promote trips, frequently reviewing and adjusting or creating new offerings as needed. Achieve fundraising goals, including Annual Fund and periodic capital campaigns and endowments. Works closely with Association departments to set direction and achieve goals in the following areas; People and Culture, Risk and Enterprise Management, Mission Advancement (Fund Development), Marketing, Technology and Adventure leadership. Serve as an engaged contributor on the broader Y Adventure and Y of the North leadership teams in pursuit of common goals. Maintain relationships with outside industry professionals to aid in program development as well as team member continuing education Achieve and adhere to American Camp Association accreditation standards and Department of Health Standards compliance standards. Partner with Community Council Chair to implement and carry out their chart of work.

Relationships:
This position reports to the Vice President of Camp Operations and Adventure who reports to the Executive Vice President of Operations and Finance. The incumbent interacts regularly with camp participants, guardians, alumni, general public, donors, seasonal staff, and volunteers.

Qualifications:
Experience supervising wilderness programs. Bachelors degree or equivalent experience. Minimum of three (3) years of management experience to include supervision and budgets. Progressive programming and management experience in an outdoor wilderness tripping environment. Willingness to live on-site in camp-provided, rustic, housing during summer program months. Willingness to travel seasonally to camp during the fall, winter and spring to support on site programming. On call 4 months of the year 24-hours a day to ensure safety and Emergency Action Plan protocol. This role is critical to day-to-day operations and decision making. Demonstrated skills in supervision, organizational systems, camping program development, wilderness risk management, fundraising, and financial management. Demonstrated skills in customer service, large and small group communications, leadership, and group work with adults, teens and children. Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams, and other computer programs necessary to perform the duties of the job.
Competencies:

Volunteerism
Philanthropy
Inclusion
Developing Self & Others
Emotional Maturity

Critical Thinking & Decision Making
Communication & Influence
Engaging Community
Functional Expertise

Work Conditions:
Must be able to work on a computer for an extended period of time. Must be able to regularly travel locally for meetings, training and special events. Lifting qualifications of 80lbs Menogyn: water access only, boat provided

Additional Notes:
This job description represents the major functions of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive. The incumbent is responsible for taking direction from the VP of Camp Operations or their representatives in completing projects or performing duties deemed necessary for the branch or Association success.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Pledge
The Y of the North is committed to the work and everyday practices of eliminating disparities and eradicating of unjust systems to become a multicultural, anti-racist and anti-oppressive organization. YMCA of the North team members and volunteers must exemplify the associations mission, vision and values of caring, equity, honesty, respect and responsibility.

The YMCA of the North continues to develop plans and strategies to ensure team members and volunteers reflect the demographics of the communities we serve. We will continually conduct institutional racism and oppression review of our policies, procedures and practices in recruitment and selection; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; promotions; transfers; layoffs; terminations; and the ongoing development of a multicultural, anti-racist and anti-oppressive work environment and culture that promotes equity and respect for the human dignity of all. We value and respect this diversity and choose to be inclusive through our acceptance of all.

Human Skills
-Ability to relate and build positive rapport with a wide constituency; young adults, seasonal staff, alumni, donors, government agencies, parents/guardians, community partners
-Work on cross-functional teams within Y of the North and Y Adventure Team
-Adaptable, life-long learner
-Self-aware
-Time Management
-Wilderness Advocate
-Need to call out whether this can be hybrid, remote or GM or Twin Cities
Sample Job Descriptions
TONS OF NUGGETS IN THIS ONE: https://nols.edu/media/filer_public/0b/d7/0bd77b0e-d9cc-4fda-97af-7ec03ce15c33/nols_jobposting_vice_president_of_expeditions_edits_03132024.pdf
Executive-Director-Core-Competencies_0.pdf

Widjiwagan Culture of Community