Expedition Program Coordinator

The Expedition Program Coordinator provides leadership in instruction, organization, safety, and implementation of high-quality expeditions with diverse participants. The Expedition Program Coordinator works closely with the day program, expedition and logistics teams to support overall program operations through staffing instructors for expeditions and logistics/course support, supporting course directing, training and evaluating instructional staff, managing technical student sites and gear, overseeing infield logistics, safety management, and data reporting. This role will assist with on-call coverage and response and may be required to lead training expeditions and/or participant courses between March and November. The Expedition Program Coordinator will work collaboratively with the course directing team during the program season to support expeditions. During the winter months when there is no expedition programming, the Expedition Program Coordinator will support the program team with designing spring training and improving staffing and program quality systems in preparation for the upcoming program season. 

Understanding of and commitment to the Outward Bound philosophy and curriculum are keys to success for this position. Current CBOBS programming includes hands-on experiences designed to enhance community building, problem-solving, teamwork, self-confidence, empathy, and compassion. Expedition programs include 5-, 8-, and 12-day expeditions backpacking, canoeing, or sea kayaking on the Appalachian Trail in MD and PA, Savage River State Forest in Western MD, the Potomac River, the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area in WV, and the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.  

 Key Responsibilities 

• Schedule qualified instructors for all expeditions, expedition support, and logistics support. Maintain accurate staff schedule data on the Brain. 
• Collaborate closely with Day Program Coordinator to communicate schedules and respond to time off requests for all instructors through When I Work. 
• Model a strong and positive leadership role in supporting the highest level of program quality for all staff and program participants.  
• Serve as the primary link between program administration and field staff, ensuring clear and consistent communication. 
• Ensure instructional teams successfully deliver the Outward Bound mission, educational framework, instructional tools, best practices, and OBUSA/CBOBS policies and procedures.  
• Support course delivery through visits to the field to provide logistical support, conduct coaching observations, and mentor field staff as needed. 
• Serve as a Course Director as needed: deliver pre-course orientations and post-course check-outs, including safety briefings, professional development, skills practice, and gear maintenance.  
• Work with the CBOBS administration and program team to design and implement detailed logistics plans, itineraries, and schedules to support infield programs such as curricula, route planning, food, equipment organization, and packing. 
• Communicate regularly with the Admissions and Program teams to stay ahead of student-screening concerns. 
• Provide clear, effective, consistent, and professional communication and feedback with Instructors, program leadership, supervisors, participants, partners, and families before, during, and after courses.? 
• Assist Associate Director of Programs with acquiring all required permits, licenses, reservations, and registrations for CBOBS course areas while enhancing relationships and communications with outside agencies. 
• Proficient and fluent in all expedition program offerings and course areas. 
• Responsible for the completion of all program paperwork: course reports, staff evaluations, incident reports, student surveys, and student evaluations/report cards. 
• Commits to professional, technical skill, and interpersonal relationship growth and facilitates growth in others.  
• Participates in all required staff training, designing, and facilitating sessions for staff at all levels. 
• Train others on various feedback, leadership, and program models facilitation that meets learners' needs and course outcomes. 
• Excellent self-care and ability to model and oversee students' self-care, health, and hygiene in outdoor and wilderness settings.  
• Evaluate, document, and report on assigned individual and instructional teams’ performance.  
• Act as course lead as requested.  
• Other duties as assigned. 

Safety 

• Adhere to all OBUSA and CBOBS safety standards, policies, and administrative directives. 
• Participate in the Emergency On-Call system, adhering to all protocols and reporting chains, including responding to field calls and emergencies, assisting in decision-making, and supporting evacuation operations and emergency response situations.  
• Work with Associate Director of Program to write and review incident reports and analyses, including debriefs, evaluation, and feedback. 
• Coaches staff to participate in a “culture of safety and learning” by reporting all incidents and near misses. 
• Lead course area reconnaissance and hazard identification trips as needed. 
• Comfortable in identifying and addressing potential mental health or behavioral emergencies safely. 
• Trains staff to identify potentially dangerous situations proactively and makes decisions to avoid unnecessary risks.

Minimum Qualifications 

• Must have received their final primary series dose, and at least one booster (monovalent or bivalent) of CDC approved COVID-19 vaccine, by first date of employment. 
• Must be 21 years of age or older. 
• Ability to clear federal and state background checks. 
• Minimum three years instructing and field leadership experience with Outward Bound or a similar wilderness expeditionary organization. 
• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification including CPR required. 
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail. 
• Strong mentorship skills. Able to develop new staff, accurately assess staff, and support conflict resolution as needed.  
• Strong and effective communicator, both written and oral. Ability to give and receive both positive and constructive feedback. 
• Demonstrated commitment to engaging in equity, inclusion, and diversity efforts. 
• Self-starter, strong initiative, follow-through, and commitment.  
• Flexible, adaptable, and open to change. 
• Ability to excel under pressure and demonstrate emotional regulation, good judgment, and balanced decision-making in stressful situations.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Youth or Adult Mental Health First Aid certification. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Teams.  
• Maintain at least one technical certification from a third-party organization (e.g., ACA, AMGA, ACCT, LNT), AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Certification preferred. 
• Comfortable driving large vehicles with and without trailers. If able to drive for CBOBS, applicant must clear a motor vehicle record check. 
• Experience inspiring and leading teams effectively, including collaborating with diverse people, skills, and visions towards a common goal. 
• Experience working with a range of backgrounds and ages as colleagues, clients, and participants. 

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation:

$42,500-$46,500

Benefits:

• Employer contribution of 70% for Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance through CareFirst BlueChoice for the employee and their children, if applicable.
• Fifteen (15) days of Paid Time Off (PTO) which accrue per pay period.
• Up to Eight (8) weeks of paid Family/Medical leave
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays.
• 401(k) with a match. Employees are eligible for participation after 6 months of employment. The current match is 6% of the employee’s salary.
• Long-term disability, short-term disability, AD&D insurance, as well as a $25,000 life insurance policy at no cost to the employee.
• Pre-tax Saving Cafeteria Plan: Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Pre-tax Commuter/Transit Benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Mutual of Omaha Supplemental Insurance.
• Pro Deals: Discounts from outdoor industry vendors for outdoor professionals.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to perform the following: 

• Ability to carry 45–65 pound pack on and off-trail for 12 hours or more a day.  
• Be sufficiently fit to participate in all required activities, including backpacking, climbing, paddling, ropes courses, rock climbing. 
• Able to maintain energy, strength, and focus to assist students and staff with physical and emotional challenges. 
• Sit/stand/walk for extended periods of time. 
• Ability to observe staff and participant behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate management techniques. 
• Visual, auditory, and physical ability to identify and respond to hazards related to the activity. Possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of students when necessary. 
• Work occasionally in a high stress work environment. 
• Operate office equipment to include but not limited to computer, keyboard, calculator, copier machine, and other office equipment 
• Experience daily exposure to the sun, heat, and animals such as bugs, snakes, bats, bears, etc. 
• Work irregular hours in the outdoors regardless of weather and season.

Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School prohibits discrimination against any student or applicant because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other category which may be protected by applicable state or federal law. Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School also promotes respect for all people and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics nor on differences based on gender identity or expression. Outward Bound has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect and will report any suspected abuse or neglect.