Outdoor Education Program Director

The Program Director is responsible for overseeing the planning, staffing, implementation, and evaluation of NCOAE’s outdoor education and adventure-based programs. This position provides leadership in program operations, staff recruitment and development, risk management, AEE accreditation, budget oversight, and management of NCOAE’s Wilmington campus. The Program Director ensures safe, high-quality educational experiences consistent with NCOAE’s mission, policies, and educational framework. This hands-on leadership role requires administrative oversight, active field involvement, professional networking, and occasional overnight travel.

Major Job Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Operations

• Oversee planning, preparation, completion, and evaluation of
• Ensure programs meet NCOAE’s educational, operational and risk management
• Supervise the Program Coordinator and oversee logistics, food, equipment, and
• Manage program budgets, resource allocation, and operational expenses with leadership
• Support curriculum development, program improvement, and new educational

Staff Recruitment, Supervision & Development

• Lead the recruitment, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and evaluation of instructors and
• Oversee instructor scheduling, training, professional development, and
• Ensure staff maintain required certifications and comply with NCOAE
• Promote a positive, professional, and accountable working

Risk Management & AEE Accreditation

• Oversee risk management, emergency response, and field operations
• Provide leadership during field emergencies, incident response, documentation, and follow-
• Lead submission of AEE accreditation reports and documentation, ensuring ongoing compliance with accreditation standards.
• Coordinate accreditation reviews continuous quality improvement

Wilmington Campus & Field Operations

• Ensure appropriate management of equipment, vehicles, facilities, and program
• Travel to program locations, evaluate field operations and support

Industry Engagement & Professional Development

• Attend industry conferences, professional workshops, and continuing education opportunities to remain current with best practices and industry standards.
• Represent NCOAE at professional events, networking opportunities, and meetings with educational partners and industry stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain relationships with schools, organizations and industry
• Participate in occasional overnight travel to meet with existing and prospective partners
• Participate in organizational leadership meetings, strategic planning, and professional development initiatives.

Qualifications and Requirements (subject to change)

• Must be detailed oriented and organized
• Is able to create and maintain a welcoming and supportive student environment
• Excellent customer service skills are a strong must
• Two (2) years previous administrative experience, preferably with recreation, camp, outdoor education, or related field.
• Experience managing participant records, including registraton forms
• Demonstrated success with multitasking and working as an integral part of a high-functioning team responsible for the care and safety of others
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public presentation and procedure training/demonstration skills. (Knowledge of MS Word/Excel)
• Proficient in basic computer operation, including but not limited to navigating the Internet; using programs like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; and corresponding via email and text
• fluency in additional languages—including Spanish—is a plus, but not required
• Ability to learn new computer software applications are a requirement
• Previous experience with invoicing and office machinery is required

Physical Requirements

Extensive use of computer and the telephone is required, as is the ability to lift and carry approximately 50lbs of equipment.

Equal Opportunity

The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). Qualified applicantsare considered for employment without regard to age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the Application process because of a disability, it is available upon request (The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request).