Program Director

Department: Program

Reports To: Director of Program Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location : Table Rock (TR) , Jonas Ridge

Supervision : Associate Program Director, Resident Course Director, Course Directors, Logistics Manager, Kitchen Manager , Facilities Manager *

Anticipated Start Date: Feb - TR

Last Updated : September 2025

Organizational Summary:

Since 1967, North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) has delivered challenging wilderness adventures that teach more than outdoor skills. Our wilderness courses, from the mountains of North Carolina to the shores of south Florida to the peaks of South America, deliver on our mission "to change lives through challenge and discovery."

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for creating and maintaining a safe and thriving basecamp community /workplace.

• Responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe and quality programs.

• Collaborate with Executive Director and Director of Program Operations to determine and fulfill school needs, goals, and directional strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Employee Relations & Strategic Staffing

• Responsible for ensuring a clean, hygienic and organized place for work and living .

• Work directly with HR Director to deliver performance improvement plans and build a community around accountability and adherence to policy and procedure.

• Provide leadership and support to direct reports.  Oversee annual goals, professional development, and evaluations. Work with HR department as needed .

• Responsible for hiring direct reports and assisting Program Team with other per diem hires.

• Collaborate with Safety and Training Director on program-wide and basecamp training(s) to ensure staff readiness.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Participate and support the NCOBS emergency response plan .

• Manage basecamp budget. Work in collaboration with other stakeholders who have oversight over specific line items.

• Assist the Facilities Director with basecamp facilities opening and winterization. Collaborate with on-going maintenance, upkeep, hiring of caretaker role and capital facilities upgrades.

• Assist Program Resource Manager in maintaining positive relationships with local land managers and public agencies.

• Work with Program Resource Manager to open and close logistical department and to assure necessary program purchases are made prior to each season.

• Manage the base on-call system and fill role of Base Camp Incident Commander for emergency response.

• Serve as a member of the NCOBS Program Team and Promotions, Staffing & Staff Development Committee.

Program Delivery & Management

• Ensure all programs adhere to the OBUSA and NCOBS safety policies and procedures as well as Local Operating Procedures and administrative directives.

• Oversee completion of program administrative tasks. 

• Support organizational access, belonging and community efforts across NCOBS and within the Program Department.

• Work in various field / program positions. Attend applicable internal training(s) to meet standards.

Working Conditions :

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds .

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit .

• The employee is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell .

• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Participate in vigorous to moderate physical activity including but not limited to running, swimming, climbing, backpacking, and paddling.

• Primarily based at a basecamp. This is a remote, community living setting where electricity, heat, and power can be interrupted. USFS (United States Forest Service) gravel road accessible for NC mountain bases. Boat accessible for FL base.

• Extended periods working and living at NCOBS wilderness base camps and/or in the wilderness during programs.  

• Irregular hours and weekend work are expected. 

Qualifications :

• Personal and professional values consistent with the NCOBS mission, values, and principles.

• Wilderness First Responder, and CPR.

• Valid driver's license, greater than three years.

• Experience with community living and proven ability to thrive within such an environment.

• Minimum of five years' experience working Outward Bound or related programs.

• An outstanding record as an instructor, trainer, course director, community member, and/or administrator.

• Proven communicator in oral and written platforms. Ability to speak clearly and is comfortable with presenting to groups .

• Strong safety management experience. 

• Experience with access, belonging, and community work .

• Effective leadership, supervisory, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Strong personal initiative, motivation, and resourcefulness.

• Proficient in Office 365 (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams), Salesforce or other client relationship management (CRM), and video conferencing .

• Bachelor's degree preferred .

Compensation and Benefits :

• Per diem is $205/day

• Robust seasonal benefits available.

• Pro-purchase deals with outdoor-industry gear retailers.

• Private living quarters on basecamp are provided for the entirety of your agreement.

North Carolina Outward Bound School prohibits discrimination against, and harassment of, any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, age, 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 local, state or federal law. NCOBS 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.