Technical and Support Program Manager

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Support & Technical Program Manager is based out of our Ely, MN basecamp. This is a seasonal position responsible for 3 key areas of programmatic support: support of the intern program, technical activity management and on-call and emergency response support. In addition to fulfilling these requirements, this is a key community building role - inspiring and providing mentorship to less experienced staff. This is a dynamic position, requiring patience, flexibility and excellent communication skills across multiple audiences (new and returning staff, parents, peer group). The Support and Technical Program Manager is a leadership and management role, reporting to the Ely Summer Program Director. It is expected that this person lives on-site at Ely basecamp during the peak season (mid April-mid September).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Program Management

• Member of the Ely Summer Management Team; provides and role models community leadership.
• Participates in weekly management team meetings and attends weekly Course Director meetings.
• Facilitates training as assigned by the Program Director.
• Go on one or more overnight visits to groups in the field (travel time often means these are 2 days or longer).
• Serves as Course Director (<10%).

Intern Program Manager

• Fosters an equitable and inclusive environment for incoming staff.
• Supervises and provides professional mentorship for up to 20 interns.
• Oversee the quality, safety, and efficacy of the “support phase” of the intern training program, ensuring that interns have the training and resources they need to support courses and general operations as needed. Provide opportunities to continue developing the skills to become instructional staff.
• Collaborate with the Staffing Director regarding staff performance and professional development.
•  Be able to assess staff and make recommendations around pairings and promotions, as well as intern assignment.
• Facilitate weekly meetings with individual interns and the group.
• Schedule interns and all other support staff to proactively meet program needs; brief support staff on their roles and responsibilities.
• Provide big picture oversight of the support schedule (i.e. climbing days, resupplies, transports, vehicle/trailer use, etc.) in a manner that balances the needs of concurrent courses and efficiently allocates basecamp resources and personnel.
• Maintain communication with the Facilities Manager regarding the vehicle and trailer fleet, routine maintenance, and driver training.
• Manage logistics and relationship with Duluth Airport.
• Coordinate airport logistics and act as Travel Coordinator on course start days.

Technical Program Manager 

• Oversee the quality and safety of VOBS technical programs under the supervision of the Program Directors, as well as the Director of Program and Safety. This includes rock climbing, whitewater, and high ropes programs.
• Ensure that site managers are maintaining current skills and standards to manage technical sites.
• Provide mentorship and training for aspiring site managers.
• Facilitate technical trainings (including Site Manager Training and Rocks Skills Training) and other trainings as assigned by the Program Director.
• Oversee the maintenance and inventory of all existing technical gear and make recommendations for ordering new gear.
• Oversee regular inspections of technical sites.
• Site manage 2-5 technical sites per week, including rock climbing, ropes course, and whitewater kayak/canoeing.

Safety, Risk Management & Emergency Response

• Participates in the On-Call and Emergency Response team for field communication and emergencies, including managing evacuations. 
• When the Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is enacted, this role will have responsibilities as designated by the Program and Safety Directors.
• Activation of VOBS ERP may require staff to work extended hours during the incident, sometimes in difficult or uncomfortable environments.
• On-call approximately 1.5 days per week.
• Acts as a liaison between VOBS and students’ guardians in support of and/or in the absence of Course Directors.
• Ensure staff policies and procedures are followed and staff are held accountable as needed.

Other Responsibilities

• Act as field instructor for short periods and occasionally visit remote technical sites (i.e. remote rock climbing and whitewater) as needed, but not more than 10% workload.
• Other duties as assigned by the Ely Summer PD.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES

• Leadership - ability to motivate, inspire and mentor others. 
• Relationship Building - able to build strong relationships with a wide range of people using emotional intelligence, listening skills, and empathy.
• Teamwork - ability to work well with others and complete tasks, requiring problem solving, collaboration and active listening. 
• Communication - ability to clearly communicate information in writing and verbally,, including setting expectations and providing feedback on performance.
• Organization - ability to process and manage large amount of detailed information accurately.
• Judgment and Decision Making — ability to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Decisiveness - ability to make decisions and effectively share them with others, often in a quick paced environment.
• Integrity - demonstrates reliable, honest communication and leadership promoting clear expectations and consistency.
• Creativity - ability to solicit ideas/ input from others to inspire collaboration and innovation. 
• Growth Mindset - ability to learn from experiences and apply learning to solutions.
• Adaptability - ability to adapt to a wide range of circumstances, arising continuously.
• Administrative - familiarity with computer-based systems like Google (email, Drive, etc.), and Microsoft Word/Excel. Experience with Salesforce is a plus

SKILLS

• Education and Training - develop and deliver training curriculum both in the wilderness and the classroom.
• Active Listening – critical for staff relationship management, feedback processes, and coaching conversations.
• Time Management & Prioritization—maintain an effective work schedule that aligns priorities and tasks to program goals.
• Demonstrates strong technical skills in rock climbing, high ropes, and whitewater—or shows the willingness and ability to quickly develop proficiency in any of these areas as needed.
• Wilderness First Responder certification.

WORK CONDITIONS

• Willingness and ability to work a non-standard, flexible schedule, as responsibilities demand (including nights, weekends and holidays). 
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors in heat, humidity, and other adverse weather conditions.
• This role involves being on "mobile" much of the day, including walking, standing, and moving between locations.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Events may have excessive noise and /or require working in close proximity to others.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. 
• Ability to participate in vigorous to moderate physical activity including, but not limited to, paddling and climbing.
• Able to participate in all site and course activities as needed and maintain ample energy, strength and focus to aid students and instructor with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Ability to go into the field as needed, particularly during an incident if needed.
• Mental resilience sufficient to endure occasional physically and/or emotionally difficult situations, including but not limited to: working with staff, students or parents in emotionally charged circumstances.
• Ability to perform activities such as lifting, crawling, bending, carrying, and pulling, with or without reasonable accommodations. Work is sometimes done in confined spaces and at height.
• Communicate information and ideas so that others can understand; understand the speech of another person.
• Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform essential functions. If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participant in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time seasonal, exempt position extending from April 15 -September 15. Salary range of $41,000 -$53,560 per year, prorated for the number of months worked. Room and board, pro-deal, sick time eligible, employee assistance plan (EAP), eligible to participate in VOBS 403(b) retirement plan with a 2% company match, MN Paid Leave available (dependent upon meeting state eligibility criteria).

In the interest of transparency and pay equity across our team, a candidate with the minimum experience can expect to be offered in the lower third of the range.