Director of NC/FL Programs at SOAR, Inc

Based in Balsam, NC

Start Date: ASAP

Starting Salary Range: $52,000 to $65,000

Benefits: Medical, Life, Dental, Vision Insurance, FSA, PTO, IRA, Sick Leave, Pro-deals and more!

For more program information: https://soarnc.org/gap-year/

SOAR Inc. is looking for a dependable outdoor professional to further the mission of SOAR by developing, planning, and managing programs that provide an environment for our future world leaders to grow and develop as human beings in a safe outdoor experiential environment. The Director is responsible for the success of the summer camp programs in North Carolina and the Florida Keys. They work closely with other members of the organization including their Assistant Directors to provide positive experiences throughout all programs. This person needs to be a self-starter, independent, collaborative, and creative.

Mission Statement:

SOAR is a seasonal accredited educational academy, GAP year program, and outdoor adventure summer camp dedicated to two-fold purposes:

To provide academic instruction, experiential education, interpersonal life skills development, and outdoor adventure-based programming to youth dealing with LD and/or ADHD through their participation in the Academy at SOAR.

To provide experiential education, interpersonal life skills development, and outdoor adventure-based programming to youth, young adults, and families dealing with LD and/or ADHD through SOAR’s outdoor adventure camp programs, GAP year program, and community-based services.

SOAR embraces a commitment to service that is evident in the professional and community involvement of its staff members.

SOAR is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.

Vision Statement:

To be the world leader in helping youth and young adults living with learning and attention challenges achieve greater life success.

Core Values:

Focus on Strengths:  Helping youth discover their strengths and take steps towards their journey to success.

Respect:  Treating participants, families, and staff with dignity and respect.

Servant Leadership:  Supporting the LD/ADHD community with our time, knowledge, and innovation.

Ethical Programming:  Respecting the environment in an ethical way.

Commitment to Excellence:  Maintaining and leading industry standards.

Loyalty:  Loyal to stakeholders, staff, mission, clients, and organization.

Qualifications:

Minimum: Bachelor’s Degree

Minimum age: 21 

Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record

Must have previous experience in a managerial or supervisory position

Must have at least 5 years working with youth/young adults, preferably with ADHD or LD

Experience in Outdoor Education, Recreation Management, or other related fields is highly desired

Must currently have WFR and Lifeguard Certifications (or be able to obtain)

Experience leading activities such as rock climbing, white water rafting, caving, and mountain biking are highly preferred

Responsibilities

Planning

• Summer program planning and reservations

• Create and manage program calendars and course itineraries 

• Assist with accreditation preparation and maintenance

• Summer Preparation with an early emphasis on Reservations, Staff Hiring, Cultivation of veteran SOAR staff.

• Prepare summer programming materials such as flags, arts & crafts materials, team folders, etc. 

• Prepare the Study Skills Materials for Academic Discovery

• Update and prepare Lesson Plans

• Prepare Field and Resource Manuals 

• Update and prepare Site Plan Manuals

• Prepare Staff Training and Summer Duty Rosters

• Interacting with Forest Service and other government land agencies

Hiring & Staff Supervision

• Conduct staff recruitment efforts such as job fairs and job announcements 

• Conduct staff interviews and reference reviews

• Oversee pre-summer communication with summer staff and preparation for their arrival 

• Oversee Course Directors, Outdoor Trip Leaders, and Activity Specialists

• Assist with supervision of Academic Discovery teachers

Summer Programming

• Provide lifeguard and CPR training to SOAR staff as needed 

• Manage Lifeguard in-service training during summer.

• Plan and facilitate Staff Training (focus on Wilderness Skills) 

• General oversight of summer programming

• Assist with on-call duties

• Assist with program days such as rock climbing, high ropes, whitewater, caving, mountain biking, etc. 

• Assist with review of Achievement Reports

• Manage Florida Summer Program – Campsite and program reservation, budget, trainings, and additional tasks as needed.

• Ensure students are assigned to teams appropriately

•  Daily check of cabins when at Base

• Complete “Campsite Observation Checklists” for each team during Session 1 and then on-going, including spot checks of Achievement Plans, Medication Forms, and Student Health Checks.

• Oversee administration of In-Between periods

• Oversee staffing and execution of Airport P-U / D-Os, including phone calls to families Oversee preparation of course paperwork and folders

Admissions & Administrative Team

• Assist with inquiry calls and enrollment efforts  Assist with post-summer family contact

• Assist with marketing efforts as needed, including participation on the marketing team Assist with budget reconciliations

Outdoor Classrooms / SOAR Weekends / Xmas Keys / Additional Programs

• Create course specific budgets for all OC and Weekend Programs Update OC and Weekend Budget Quarterly

• Maintain and distribute OC and Weekend Program budgets to Directors and CFO immediately after the program concludes

• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate every OC Program specifically to the desires of the school involved Quality control of every aspect of OC/Weekend Programs; including teacher/student/parent relations, food planning/buys, schedules, etc.

• Create, maintain, and update OC plans; including lesson plans, activities, etc.-specifically focusing on generated feedback from schools in the OC Program Evaluation

• Follow-up with OC schools w/in one week of program end with OC Evaluation and Debrief Develop staffing plan for all Outdoor Classrooms and Weekend Programs.

• Make necessary reservations with vendors and campgrounds as needed for OC and Weekend Programs Support all Staff within the framework of Weekend Programs

• Create and buy all food for programming during OC/Weekend Programs

• Maintain physical condition and cleanliness throughout and at the end of every OC/Weekend Program that uses Balsam Base Facilities

• Facilitate OC Programs and Activities

• Act as primary contact for participating schools in Outdoor Classroom Programs

Expectations for the position include: Compliance with all policies and regulations of SOAR; understanding the personal needs of instructors are secondary to the emotional and physical well-being of our clients; utilizing behavior management techniques consistent with the program philosophy at SOAR; acting in a professional manner at all times to promote SOAR and the profession; developing an appropriate setting in which the participant may learn from example; understanding the care of participants in a 24 hour setting; and maintaining current records of participant progress and documenting strategies utilized during the course for parents and participant. 

Expectations also include being able to fulfill the physical requirements including but not limited to: being able to hike with a backpack weighing 25-40 pounds over rough and mountainous terrain for 5-10 miles per day; being able to perform upper body tasks such as belaying; camping outdoors for extended periods of time in a variety of environmental conditions such as cold, heat, rain, lightning; standing and sitting for long periods of time in excess of 6 hours; ability to lift 50 lbs.; ability to bend, kneel, push and pull on a repetitive basis; ability to grasp small objects and work in confined spaces, etc.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.  SOAR, Inc. provides equal opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.