The purpose of this position is to provide leadership, management and execution of the highest quality environmental education programming for a wide variety of audiences. Programs include residential, day-use and outreach K-12, virtual, college, adult, community and senior programs, youth and family camps and retreats/conference groups. As a senior-level administrator, this position assists the Executive Director and collaborates with the Operations Director in leadership of Osprey Wilds.

Reports to Executive Director: 

• Development Director 
• Operations Director  
• Education Director 
• Director of Charter School Authorizing 

Reports to Education Director: 

• Reservations Coordinator 
• Fellowship Coordinator 
• Wildlife Coordinator

• Minimum Level Education: Master’s Degree
• Preferred: K-12 Science Licensure and K-12 classroom teaching experience
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communications skills, including curriculum and public presentations.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in environmental education.
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity, inclusion, and justice.
• Demonstrated leadership and management of teams in a professional setting.
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making and prioritization skills.
• Good computer skills, including Google Suite, Zoom and Microsoft Office. 
• Human resource management skills and experience, including organizational development, Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), performance evaluations, goal setting, training and development, motivating, team building, hiring, and discipline.
• Ability to manage programs within budget, read financial statements and use information to guide decision-making.
• Experience with risk management and emergency procedures
• First Aid and CPR certification required, additional certifications preferred
• Favorable background screening required
• Driver’s license and ability to drive all types of vehicles, including 15 passenger vans with trailers

Program Management and Administration (30%)

• Direct all aspects of Osprey Wilds K-12, outreach, youth camp, family camp, & Road Scholar® programs, maintaining responsibility for appropriate, safe, and effective operations
• Maintain oversight of programs including scheduling, staffing, facilities, equipment, etc.
• Work collaboratively with other center department supervisors to ensure positive customer experiences while also enabling productive staff functioning in all departments
• Design, lead and support the professional development of Osprey Wilds educational program staff
• Lead and conduct the education department’s recruitment of staff, hiring, retention, and employee performance evaluations

 
Program Development, Marketing and Partnerships (30%)

• Seek, maintain & strengthen relationships with leaders of k-12 school clients
• Secure school attendance through retention of existing clients and recruitment of new schools
• Support the center’s executive, communication and development functions
• Assist with funding opportunities for programs, including grants and donations
• Work with Leadership Team and Marketing Coordinator for the effective execution of Osprey Wilds marketing strategies and activities, with focus toward increasing enrollment
• Assist in strategic and long-term planning for all Osprey Wilds programs
• Represent Osprey Wilds with a wide variety of local, regional and national professional organizations appropriate to the Osprey Wilds mission
• Review scholarship requests and follow up on funder requirements
• Support communication efforts, including but not limited to writing and/or editing of center literature, marketing and related efforts
• Seek out, develop and implement new educational opportunities and programs

Risk Management (10%)

• Ensure Osprey Wilds meets all local, state, and federal regulations for safety in the programs, including COVID-19 Preparedness
• Direct and oversee complete and timely safety practices for all Osprey wilds activities and facilities including policy, safety and security training for program staff
• Review programs and facilities regularly for safety and security compliance.
• Document all safety inspections, incidents, etc. as needed on a timely basis

Educational Vision and Leadership (10%)

• Lead entire Osprey Wilds educational program staff
•  Lead the design process for, implement, and evaluate organization-wide educational goals, both short and long term, to position Osprey Wilds at the leading and growing edge of environmental education
• Lead, create and implement successful tactics to achieve assigned objectives of the organizational strategic plan

Financial and Business Management (5%)

• Develop and manage operating expense budgets for education programs under jurisdiction
• Assist in development of revenue budget and fee setting for programs, including appropriate scoping of new and existing programs
• Assist in development and execution of annual budget
• Ensure cost-effective, high value, and efficient use of financial resources in program delivery

Curriculum and Instructional Design Management (5%)

• Ensure that program design and implementation remain clearly aligned to the center’s mission, goals and strategic advancement efforts
• Review and adjust curriculum, resources and staff development in response to changing trends in the industry

Evaluation (5%)

• Manage re-accreditation process and evaluate program based on accreditation rubric.
• Manage design and implementation of all program-based evaluation activities
• Monitor quality of education delivery, formally and informally through varieties of methods

Teaching (5%)

• Periodically teach Osprey Wilds classes
• Maintain working knowledge of all Osprey Wilds programs & classes

• Create a working environment that promotes job satisfaction and growth for all employees. Work with employee concerns in a fair manner within policy guidelines.
• Enforce all Osprey Wilds policies in a fair, consistent manner
• Effectively solve facility and property needs relational to customer experience on a timely basis in collaboration with facilities staff.
• Maintain programs in a manner that ensures safety to staff and students at all times.
• Address critical issues on a 24/7 basis and respond as needed.
• Anticipate potential concerns in all areas of the business. Proactively plan to prevent concerns or issues.

• This position is limited by all Osprey Wilds policies and local, state, and federal laws, rules and regulations
• This position must obtain Executive Director approval for spending beyond the planned budget and for any capital spending
• This position must obtain Executive Director approval for addition of any new programs, curriculums, and initiatives
• This position has authority for all HR activities and decisions within the educational program

This position has authority for all purchases within approved budget

• This position is accountable for the successful and timely execution of programs, policies, and procedures in accordance with the Osprey Wilds’ mission statement and business needs
• This position is accountable for annual revenues and expenditures of approximately $800,000
• This position is accountable for the actions and performance of 11 staff

Below is an outline the working contacts the Education Director will have within the organization.

Position (Frequency) – Purpose

• Executive Director (Weekly):  All activities
• Operations Director (Daily – Weekly): HR, work direction, finances 
• Office Staff (Daily): Work direction
• Facilities Staff (Weekly): Work direction
• Educational Program Staff (Daily): All activities
• Fellows Staff (Daily): Work direction
• Development Director (Periodically): Fundraising, program development
• Food Service Staff (Weekly): Work direction
• Clients (Daily): Quality control, marketing, relationship building
• Marketing & Communications Coordinator (Weekly): Work direction
• Professional Associations (As needed): Marketing, professional development, other
• Board Committees (Monthly plus): Board meetings, operational updates, other 
• Board of Directors (6x/year plus): Board meetings, other business

• Employment at Osprey Wilds is “At Will” and is not a contract.
• Employment is conditional until acceptance of a favorable background screening.
• This position will require a minimum of 40 hours per week with a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends, to fulfill business needs. Full-time attendance “on campus” is a normal expectation when not off-campus for business purposes, except for remote-working during COVID-19.
• This position will work outdoors in all types of weather conditions.
• This position requires work at heights of up to 40 feet.
• This position requires the ability to swim while wearing a PFD and adequately facilitate basic water rescue techniques.
• This position prefers competence in outdoor skills, including orienteering, canoeing, backpacking, Leave No Trace, camping, rock climbing, and ropes course management.
• This position requires occasional overnight, multi-day travel.
• This position requires regular and repetitive tasks related to computer and office work.
• This position requires a valid Class D driver’s license with a favorable driving record.
• This position requires physical exertion; occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs.
• This position requires the ability to travel under his/her own power, for hours at a time, through the terrain of the entire Osprey Wilds property in all types of Minnesota weather year-round.

• Starting Annual Salary of $45,000
• Eligible for Health Care and Simple IRA through Osprey Wilds. We currently offer health care coverage through Health Partners with a $3,000 individual deductible and $6,000 family deductible and contribute $625 annually into your HSA to be used towards your deductible.
• We match your Simple IRA up to 3% of your annual earnings.
• 10 Annual Floating Holidays & 120 Hours PTO Annually beginning rate
• Professional Development & Training Opportunities