ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

With over 50 years of innovation in experiential and outdoor education in the Pacific Northwest, Northwest Outward Bound School (NWOBS) continues to change lives through challenge and discovery. Our transformative and educational wilderness courses are set in some of the most dramatic and stunning parts of the United States. Our students test their strengths, challenge their fears, and discover that they are capable of far more than they ever thought possible. They learn how to bring out the best in themselves every single day and to apply that goodness back to their world. By bringing their Outward Bound experiences back to their families, schools and communities, our students are the leaders who will help create the peaceful, equitable, and sustainable world we all yearn to have.

NWOBS was founded in 1965 and facilitates wilderness-based programs in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, and serves urban youth and schools in the Portland metropolitan area. As an Outward Bound School, we are committed to the core values of compassion, integrity, excellence, inclusion, and diversity. NWOBS strives to achieve the following outcomes: building character, developing leadership skills, and creating an ethic of social and environmental responsibility.

Our administrative team consists of 20 dedicated and supportive leaders spread over three locations, a virtual administrative hub in Portland and base camps in Central Oregon and Northern Washington. We also employ phenomenal instructors steeped in youth development, social and emotional learning, technical outdoor skills, and expert facilitation. We are a family and adventure-friendly employer. A number of our Admin staff work less than full time to balance family relationships/responsibilities or to allow for adequate time to travel, adventure, or otherwise pursue personal goals. This role is expected to be .85 FTE.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Course Advisor is part of the Student Services team, composed of 4 to 5 people,  providing support to incoming students and families in all areas of the student-centered experience. The Course Advisor is responsible for supporting students through the entire admissions process and providing outstanding customer service. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to,: managing student paperwork, helping students and families prepare for their course with timely communication, conducting informational interviews, updating online marketing material, and communicating with basecamp and field staff. Cultural competency, an inclusive approach to interpersonal interactions, and a strengths-based perspective are essential to success in this role.  Strong data management, attention to detail, and the ability to sensitively discuss confidential information with a variety of stakeholders is also required. 

The successful candidate will be expected to have past training and experience in equity, inclusion, and diversity work, particularly pertaining to youth education. This position is based in the Portland Metro area and will work remotely from a home office. Participation in local team gatherings will also take place periodically, which currently follow physical distancing protocols.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

Course Advising

• Manage daily volume of incoming calls, emails, mail, and faxes from enrolled students and families.
• Monitor students throughout the recruitment and admissions process to ensure all students are meeting deadlines for forms and payments. 
• Monitor statistics, ages, and demographic balances on each course. 
• Maintain consistent contact with every student and/or their parents/guardians/mentors to set expectations and prepare students for success on course.
• Conduct student interviews as part of the application approval process.
• Work closely, while being in different locations, with the National Admissions Office in Asheville, NC as well as local NWOBS staff, Executive Director, WA/OR Program Directors, Associate Program Directors, Course Directors, and field staff to support student participants and staff.
• Responsible for processing enrollments, transfers, and cancellations in a timely manner. 
• Provide superior customer service to potential and enrolled students, their parents, and organizational partners.
• Meet the goals and deadlines established by the Student Services Director and team.

Medical Screening

• Perform initial screening of applicants for essential medical, emotional, and behavioral eligibility requirements; higher level screening will be handed off to senior medical screener for final approval. 
• Follow-up with student, parent, doctor, and/or therapist to assess motivation, and fitness level, as well as gather relevant psychological and medical information. 
• Consult with Program Directors, Student Services Director, and Outward Bound consulting physicians if additional expertise is needed. 
• Approve or reject applicants in a timely fashion with a high standard of professionalism.

Secondary Roles and Responsibilities

• Database maintenance and preparation of materials for the upcoming season.
• Website upkeep and further development of Student Services Handbook and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Sit at a desk or computer most of the day.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience required (youth development, administrative work), with previous non-profit experience highly preferred. Experience with Outward Bound or other wilderness expeditionary programs is preferred.
• Excellent customer service skills, including patience and adaptability to accommodate varying personalities.
• Able to develop positive relationships with diverse populations of students and their support systems
• Ability to develop positive, productive relationships with students and their families, Outward Bound staff, and the Odin Falls and Mazama Basecamps.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks successfully within tight timelines.
• Extremely detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills
• Excellent oral, written, phone, email, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must have solid computer skills: Google Apps, MS Word, Excel, database, and email experience. Experience with Salesforce is a plus.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Self-starter, strong initiative, and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Familiarity with NWOBS course activities and course areas in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington.
• Familiar with Outward Bound courses and experiential education.
• Professional or educational background in a medical and/or mental health related field beneficial.

Compensation

• The hourly rate is commensurate with experience within NWOBS’ Course Advisor annual range of $16-$20 an hour. Your anticipated work schedule throughout the year will be: 
• Jan 2022: 30 hours/week, with flexible hours including some weekend work
• Feb 2022-Aug 2022: 40 hours/week, with flexible hours including some weekend work
• Sep 2022-Dec 2022: 30 hours/week, with flexible hours including some weekend work
• This position is considered a non-exempt position for purposes of federal wage-hour law, which means you will be eligible for overtime compensation for hours actually worked in excess of 40 in a given work week. For the purposes of calculating the number of weekly overtime hours, NWOBS work week begins Sunday and extends through the following Saturday.
• This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position; benefits package includes medical, vision, and dental insurance and paid time off.
• All positions qualify to participate in our gear discount program and course tuition discounts.