Climbing Wall Manager (10-month Seasonal Contract)

Pay: $227/day, up to $52,433 for the 10 months

ABOUT NYC OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOLS:

Why can’t school be more like an Outward Bound course? NYC Outward Bound Schools believes that students benefit greatly from tapping into the world beyond their classroom and their immediate community to partake in joyful learning experiences that can prepare them to thrive in community, college, and career. In partnership with the NYC public school system, NYC Outward Bound Schools is a non-profit organization that serves over 28,000 students in almost 80 schools across the five boroughs of New York City. NYC Outward Bound Schools provides opportunities for unique, liberatory, experiential learning for students in their social, emotional, and academic development. The organization supports NYC young people both by leading students in outdoor adventure programming that pushes beyond their traditional school experiences and also by coaching and supporting educators on how to incorporate lessons from these catalytic experiences within the classroom. Ultimately, our diverse and committed staff support NYC young people in unique ways to develop the knowledge and skills to lead with confidence and curiosity, persist in the face of challenges, and live fulfilling lives.

Role Summary:

The Climbing Wall Manager is responsible for the development, management, and day-to-day operation of NYC Outward Bound Schools’ outdoor climbing wall and indoor climbing gym programs, ensuring young people have access to safe, engaging, and inclusive climbing experiences that promote leadership, personal growth, and teamwork. The Climbing Wall Manager oversees all aspects of the climbing programs, including staff supervision, equipment maintenance, safety systems, instructional delivery, and partnerships with local climbing gyms. This role also includes leading or supporting youth programs on outdoor courses as needed, providing belay instruction, conducting facility inspections, and supporting rescue procedures. The Climbing Wall Manager reports to the Director of Outdoor Adventures and establishes strategic goals and annual programming plans. This is a 10-month seasonal position that runs from August through June 2026 and includes a combination of on-site work at the Long Island City (Queens) office, travel to climbing facilities in NYC, and occasional overnight fieldwork on courses throughout New York State.

Essential Functions:

Program & Safety Leadership

• Design and implement an exciting experience for young people and adult educators that provides a unique learning experience aligned to the mission and vision of NYC Outward Bound Schools
• Implement, monitor, and refine systems that ensure efficient, safe, and high‑quality climbing‑wall programs, fully aligned with Outward Bound policies (5‑Point Check, Triangle of Safety, PBUS, Helmet Zones, Challenge by Choice).
• Oversee all climbing‑wall sessions—on campus and at partner gyms—maintaining a holistic, “big‑picture” perspective of risk management and student experience.
• Report all incidents, near‑misses, and safety concerns; activate facility emergency procedures when necessary.

Equipment & Facility Management

• Manage routine inspection, regular maintenance, care, and documentation for the 55‑foot artificial wall, belay anchors, lead bolts, holds, rope systems, and equipment closet.
• Demonstrate and teach proper use, maintenance, care, and inspection of harnesses, shoes, helmets, ropes, belay / rescue devices, and cordage; ensure equipment logs are current and compliant.

Technical Instruction & Rescue Model and teach belay set‑up, knot tying (figure‑eight follow‑through / on‑a‑bight, single fisherman’s, butterfly, prusik, Kleimheist), rope management, and hazard mitigation.

• Perform—and train staff to perform—technical assists/rescues (load transfers, mechanical ascents, auto‑belay rescues) in a timely, controlled manner; pass annual climbing, rescue, and systems assessments.

Instruct students on specific outdoor adventure courses on a regular basis, modeling the approach that “everyone is an instructor” Staff Development & Supervision

• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise Site Managers and Climbing Instructors; deliver climbing‑wall trainings and skills check‑offs, and provide clear, documented feedback.

Coach staff in behavior management, inclusive facilitation, and conflict resolution; ensure consistent adherence to safety and equity standards. School & Stakeholder Relations

• Communicate expectations and logistics to participants, instructors, and school partners before, during, and after programs; represent NYCOBS professionally with facility managers and families.
• Collaborate with the Director of Outdoor Adventures and Director of Safety to implement appropriate and reasonable accommodations for students on course.

Administration

• Maintain accurate records of equipment inspections, incident reports, staff observations, and program data.
• Support broader outdoor‑adventure or school‑based programming as assigned.

Attend all required NYCOBS and partner trainings and pass annual technical assessments.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity for BIPOC youth and to NYCOBS values of community, courage, equity, integrity, and learning.

Minimum of three (3 )years experience on climbing walls or climbing programs (indoor and/or outdoor walls) with one year of management preferred Current ACCT‑approved Climbing Wall Instructor or ACCT Level 2 certification Competence to climb 5.7 top‑rope, lead wall inspections, and execute rescues, anchor skills a plus

Successful completion of NYCOBS practical skills assessment (self‑belay ascent, rappel, rescue demo).

Experience supervising staff, giving feedback, and managing risk in experiential‑education or outdoor‑recreation settings, preferred.:

Strong verbal and written skills; ability to present to diverse stakeholders Judgment & Initiative: Sound decision‑making under stress; ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work independently. Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office. Ability to obtain CPR/First Aid (WFA preferred);

Valid U.S. driver’s license (5‑year history) Ability to pass NYC DOE fingerprinting/background check. Ability to lift 50 lbs, work at heights, and spend up to five consecutive days outdoors (including overnights) in varied weather.

Benefits:

Medical, dental, and vision coverage HRA/FSA/Transit accounts Generous PTO Outward Bound has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect. In every case, suspected or actual abuse will be reported according to federal and state laws. As described below, Outward Bound child protection policies and procedures apply to employees, Board members, volunteers, subcontractors, and others who interact with minor students.

NYC Outward Bound Schools is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination against and harassment of any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, qualified individuals with a disability on the basis of the disability, or any other category which may be protected under applicable state or federal law.

NYC Outward Bound Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination against, and harassment of, any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, qualified individuals with a disability on the basis of the disability, or any other category which may be protected under applicable state or federal law.