For over 50 years, Echo Hill Outdoor School, located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, has been helping students experience the magic of the outdoors with no classrooms, no textbooks, and no assignments other than engaging with the people and the natural world around them. Exploring natural landscapes from marshes to local waterways, students observe and appreciate the environment surrounding them. Experiential learning takes place on our adventure/challenge course, in our nature preserve and its freshwater swamp, and around the waterways and fields of rural Kent County, allowing participants to experience a ‘eureka’ moment when their classroom lessons jump out of the textbook and into real life. Our programs aim to form a practical understanding of the natural and human environment based on hands-on experiences, and through them, to help each student grow their social/emotional sense of self-reliance, confidence, and independence.

Belonging and Community at Echo Hill Outdoor School:  Echo Hill Outdoor School supports an environment that values the dignity and worth of all individuals. Our focus is on empowering the individual and developing empathy and respect for ourselves, for others and for the natural environment. We recognize how differences shape how we experience the world and the watershed—and how we access resources and the environment.

Job Summary:

Echo Hill Outdoor School is seeking a dedicated and organized Program Director to lead the scheduling, planning, and execution of our educational programs. The Program Director will be responsible for ensuring a seamless experience for visiting schools, customizing curricula to fit client needs, managing the program staff, helping oversee daily operations, and maintaining high standards of program quality. This role is ideal for an individual passionate about outdoor education, environmental stewardship, and fostering youth engagement with nature.

Key Responsibilities

• Scheduling & Coordination
  • Coordinate with school administrators and teachers to schedule educational visits and ensure each school’s needs are met.
  • Develop and maintain an organized master schedule of all programs.
• Custom Curriculum Development
  • Collaborate with school coordinators to tailor curricula that align with each group’s educational goals and requirements.
  • Ensure customized curriculum aligns with Echo Hill Outdoor School’s mission and values.
• Program Staff Management
  • Recruit, train, and supervise program staff, including educators and interns.
  • Foster a positive, team-oriented culture and provide ongoing support and professional development for staff.
  • Manage payroll and pay structure for staff within given budget
• Operational Oversight
  • Oversee day-to-day operations of all programs, ensuring safety, quality, and smooth logistics.
  • Manage daily schedule
  • Conduct daily check-ins with staff and visiting teachers, manage resources, and address any operational challenges as they arise.
• Quality Control & Evaluation
  • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of programs, making adjustments as needed to maintain high standards.
  • Collect and analyze feedback from schools and participants to continuously improve programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Environmental Studies, Outdoor Education, or a related field.
• Master’s degree and/or teacher certification preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in program management, preferably in an outdoor or educational setting.
• Proven ability to work effectively with schools and educational administrators.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of outdoor safety standards and best practices.
• Passionate about environmental education and working with young people.

Benefits

• Major medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans available
• Paid vacation, holidays, and personal days annually, no rollover
• Professional training and development provided
• 403(b) plans available