This Is a Leadership Position First
The Director of Program Operations works directly alongside and reports to the NCOAE Program Director to lead the people, logistics, and day-to-day operations behind NCOAE's outdoor education programs.
This is an important leadership role within our Outdoor Education team.
You'll work closely with the Program Director to help turn the vision for our programs into reality—making sure our Field Instructors, Coordinators, equipment, transportation, food systems, course logistics, and field operations are organized, supported, and ready to go.
Just as importantly, you'll help lead the people who make those programs happen.
We are looking for someone who can guide, mentor, support, and hold people accountable while building a positive, professional, and fun team culture.
If you're looking for a job where every day looks the same, this probably isn't it.
What This Job Is Really About
At The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE), our programs take students out of the classroom and into places where they can learn, explore, challenge themselves, and grow.
Behind every great NCOAE experience is a team of people making sure the pieces come together.
The Director of Program Operations is one of the people responsible for making that happen.
This position is part leader, mentor, logistician, problem-solver, outdoor educator, and get-it-done person.
One day you may be working with the Program Director to prepare for several upcoming courses. The next you may be mentoring an instructor, coordinating staff, solving a transportation issue, preparing equipment, responding to a field need, or figuring out how we can improve the way we operate.
You won't spend all of your time behind a desk—and we don't want you to.
Leadership Matters
Strong leadership qualities are essential for this position.
Our Field Instructors and Coordinators are the people directly delivering the NCOAE experience. The Director of Program Operations plays an important role in helping them succeed.
You'll be expected to:
- Provide day-to-day leadership to Field Instructors and other program Coordinators.
- Guide and mentor staff as they develop professionally.
- Set clear expectations and help hold people accountable.
- Provide constructive, timely feedback.
- Recognize when someone needs support—and when they need to be challenged.
- Help create consistency across instructors, courses, and programs.
- Model professionalism, good judgment, communication, and strong decision-making.
- Help develop future leaders within NCOAE.
- Build relationships with staff so they feel supported while understanding the expectations that come with representing NCOAE.
- Work collaboratively with the Program Director on staff performance, program quality, training, and operational decisions.
This isn't leadership from behind a desk. It's leadership through relationships, communication, example, and being willing to jump in alongside the team.
What You'll Actually Do
Working side-by-side with the NCOAE Program Director, you'll help keep our outdoor education programs organized, prepared, safe, and running smoothly from beginning to end.
You'll:
- Coordinate the logistics behind outdoor education courses, school programs, and wilderness expeditions.
- Oversee, support, supervise, and help evaluate Field Instructors and Coordinators.
- Help recruit, train, develop, and retain a strong field team.
- Make sure instructors have what they need to successfully deliver NCOAE programs.
- Manage systems behind gear, food, equipment, vehicles, and transportation.
- Coordinate program pack-ins, departures, returns, and post-course wrap-ups.
- Keep equipment organized, maintained, repaired, and ready for the next adventure.
- Coordinate vehicle inspections and routine maintenance.
- Problem-solve when plans change—which they sometimes do in outdoor education.
- Provide logistical or emergency support to teams operating in the field.
- Lead and participate in post-program debriefs.
- Identify what's working, what's not, and what we can do better.
- Occasionally step into the field as an instructor or provide additional program support when needed.
- Help continually improve the systems that allow NCOAE to deliver exceptional programs.
Who We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who gets outdoor education, enjoys leading people, and understands that great programs don't happen by accident.
You should be someone people naturally look to for direction—not because you have a title, but because you're dependable, communicate well, make good decisions, and are willing to help.
You'll probably be a great fit if you:
- Enjoy leading, coaching, and mentoring people.
- Can build relationships while still holding people accountable.
- Have experience supervising or leading teams.
- Have experience in outdoor education, wilderness programming, camps, adventure programming, or a similar environment.
- Understand logistics and enjoy making complicated things run smoothly.
- Are organized without needing everything to be predictable.
- Communicate clearly and directly.
- Can make decisions and solve problems in real time.
- Understand that risk management, preparation, and good judgment matter.
- Can give and receive feedback without making it complicated.
- Work well as part of a leadership team and understand the importance of supporting the Program Director.
- Take ownership instead of waiting for someone to tell you what to do.
- Don't mind getting your hands dirty, loading gear, driving a vehicle, helping an instructor, or doing whatever else needs to happen to get a program out the door.
A Few Must-Haves
- High school diploma or equivalent; college education in Outdoor Education, Recreation, Experiential Education, or a related field is preferred.
- Previous experience in outdoor education, wilderness programming, residential camps, or a related field.
- Previous supervisory or leadership experience.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, communicate with, and support others.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR certification—or willingness to obtain them shortly after being hired.
- Ability to complete NCOAE's Instructor Course.
- Ability and willingness to work outdoors, travel overnight when programs require it, carry equipment, hike in rugged terrain, and work in changing weather conditions.
- Spanish language skills are a plus, but not required.
Why NCOAE?
NCOAE was founded in 2009 around a simple idea: use adventure and education to help people grow.
We design and deliver outdoor and adventure education experiences focused on personal growth, professional development, leadership, and stewardship.
We're a team that values Challenge by Choice, Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Proactiveness, and Resiliency.
Those aren't just words on a wall. We're looking for someone who can help bring those values into the way our team works together and the way our programs are delivered.
The Bottom Line
The Director of Program Operations is a key leadership partner to the NCOAE Program Director.
Your job is to help the Program Director make sure our people are supported, our programs are prepared, our operations are organized, and our students receive the experience we promised them.
You'll be trusted to lead Field Instructors and Coordinators, mentor developing staff, solve problems, manage logistics, improve systems, and step in when the team needs you.
Some days will be organized and predictable.
Some won't.
If you enjoy leading people, developing teams, solving problems, being outdoors, taking responsibility, and watching a complicated program come together because you helped make it happen, we'd like to meet you.
Compensation: $43,000
Full-Time | January–October
Adventure First. Education Always.
Pay: $43,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
