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Position Overview:

The Program Director is primarily responsible for programming strategy for all of HopeWood Outdoors and the implementation of program at HopeWood Pines. This includes sponsored events (retreats and Outdoor Leadership Academy), youth summer camps, Connect day camps, and hosted events at HopeWood Pines. The Program Director will work primarily at HopeWood Pines throughout the year.

Qualifications:

  1. Theology – A commitment to the Christian faith and a willingness to live out your faith in word and action. A willingness to teach campers and instruct and mentor staff in ways that are consistent with the teachings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
  2. Education – A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  3. Experience – Previous work experience in outdoor ministry, youth & family ministry or recreation.
  4. Philosophy – A commitment to the mission and ministry of outdoor ministries as a unique setting for Christian education, faith development, renewal, and creation stewardship.
  5. Required knowledge and skills – Well developed skills in creatively developing, promoting, implementing, and evaluating programs.
  6. Desired but not required skills – Certification in first aid/CPR, lifeguard, archery and high ropes; ability to lead singing or play guitar.
  7. Other position requirements upon hire:
  • Immediately accessible at their assigned site (via on-call service) during the summer and at HopeWood Pines throughout the year.
  • Be prepared to work many weekends and often long hours.
  • To have a current driver’s license and safety record that fulfills HopeWood Outdoors’s insurance company’s requirements
  • To be or become an active member of an ELCA congregation in Ohio or a denomination that is a full communion partner with the ELCA.
  • A desire to learn from others with significant years of outdoor ministry experience

 

Reports To: HopeWood Outdoors Executive Director

Responsibilities:

  1. Program – work with the Executive Director and program staff to develop, publicize and evaluate programs; develop programs that are Christ-centered and consistent with the Lutheran confessions and teachings of the ELCA and meet the needs of our constituency. Develop new programs based on market research and needs of HopeWood Outdoors’s constituency. Provide hands-on programming and hospitality with guests.
  2. Summer program planning, leadership, implementation and evaluation for their assigned site.
  • Program development and implementation that reflects HopeWood Outdoors’s mission, summer goals and curriculum.
  • Relate effectively to campers, volunteers and staff.
  1. Retreats
  • Work with the Executive Director and program staff to develop, implement and evaluate sponsored programmed retreats, servant opportunities and events for HopeWood Pines and HopeWood Shores (e.g., Confirmation, Camp BOOther, Festivals).
  • Host retreats in ways that reflect HopeWood Outdoors’s mission and retreat goals through implementing HopeWood Outdoors retreat procedures.

 

  1. HopeWood Outdoors Connect
  • Partner with congregations to develop and implement retreats year-round at their locations.
  • Serve as a liaison to assigned Ohio ELCA Synodical youth and family ministries.

 

  1. Outdoor Leadership Academy and Creation Stewardship
  • Program planning, coordination, leadership, implementation, and evaluation.
  • STEM curriculum development consistent with educational standards for the State of Ohio.
  • Serve as the lead naturalist, being knowledgeable of the natural resources and providing leadership for the environmental practices (i.e., recycling, composting).
  • Interpret safe conduct within, and respect for, the natural environment.
  • During the fall/winter/spring maintain the health and welfare of captive wildlife used in programming.

 

  1. Hospitality
  2. Provide for a hospitable ministry that makes all people feel welcomed, appreciated and well cared for during every encounter with HopeWood Outdoors.
  3. Train seasonal staff in a variety of ways in which hospitality can be carried out.
  4. Prior to guest arrival, provide quality control to make sure facilities are well maintained, clean and fully stocked.
  5. Interact with guests in a friendly and accommodating manner; cultivate healthy relationships with camp participants.
  6. Interact with staff in a friendly and accommodating manner.

 

  1. Maintain Property, Facilities and Guest Services
  2. Oversee on-site food service and facilties staff to ensure quality, variety, cleanliness, and hospitality.
  3. Ensure the camp’s compliance with local, state, federal, insurance and ACA guidelines.
  4. Manage on-site camp store in consultation with the HopeWood Outdoors Executive Director.
  5. Assist as needed with implementation of HopeWood Outdoors Strategic Plan.
  6. Assist with the EcoEternity Forests.
  7. Provide a safe environment for guests and staff; report unsafe or deteriorating conditions of trails, buildings, recreation, or program areas to relevant Facilities Manager(s); if necessary, redirect groups until the situation has improved.
  8. Human Resource Management in accordance with HopeWood Outdoors personnel policies and procedures
  9. Successfully manage employees to effectively carry out their job descriptions to implement HopeWood Outdoors’s vision and mission.
  10. Recruit, screen, train, schedule, support, supervise and evaluate employees for your assigned site in accordance with HopeWood Outdoors personnel policies and procedure.
  11. This includes Associate Program Director, Assistant Program Director, Food Service Director, and HopeWood Pines Summer Staff
  12. Include the Executive Director in the interview process for any kitchen staff.
  13. Seek out staff members who will be comfortable working in a Christian ministry and program staff members whose theology is consistent with teachings of the ELCA.
  14. Provide support for the faith formation and personal development of program staff.
  15. Recruit, screen, train, schedule, supervise and evaluate program volunteers (i.e., Adult Discovery Leaders, Chaplains, festival support volunteers, and the like)
  16. At your assigned site, review employees time sheets and submit payroll to the Office Manager.
  17. Obtain and forward information to the Office Manager for employee’s personnel and volunteer’s files.
  18. Intervene as necessary in any situation that may threaten a camper, volunteer or staff member’s well-being.

 

  1. Administration
  2. Successfully prioritize and manage your time to effectively carry out your job description for the mission and ministry of HopeWood Outdoors.
  3. Work in accordance with HopeWood Outdoors constitution, bylaws, policies and procedures.
  4. Successfully manage the day-to-day operations of your site during the summer.
  5. Assist with implementing HopeWood Outdoors’s strategic plans and goals as assigned.
  6. Complete incident/accident reports to the Executive Director and Office Manager on the day the incident/accident occurs.
  7. Reply to letters, emails and phone calls within one business day; maintain regular office hours.
  8. Data Base Management/Reservations
  • In consultation with the Office Manager, proficiently use the HopeWood Outdoors database system to find information, enter information and print out reports.
  • Interface between Guest Relations and camp staff regarding calendar of events; contracted groups and individual’s information regarding numbers, facilities, meals, program and special needs.
  • Work in coordination with Guest Relations to maintain records on each guest, group and program.
  1. Oversee all general office functions for their assigned site
  • Maintain daily communications (telephone, mail and electronic).
  • File all documents and records, both paper and electronic, in an organized manner consistent with HopeWood Outdoors procedures.
  1. Financial and resource management.
  2. Complete all reports and duties in a timely manner.
  3. Ensure that programs comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws and ACA standards.

 

  1. Fiscal and Resource Management
  2. Work with HopeWood Outdoors Guest Relations Coordinator, Office Manager, and Bookkeeper regarding registrations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, deposits, receipts, credit card processing and paying store taxes consistent with HopeWood Outdoors policies and procedures.
  3. Maintain contracts with vendors.
  4. Assist in developing the annual budget as requested.
  5. Develop cost savings measures and exercise good financial stewardship; strive to do the best job possible at the most economical cost.
  6. Oversee the purchase, safe use, care and storage of all program supplies for your assigned site; plan ahead and keep supplies well organized so you do not make unnecessary purchases.

 

  1. Public Relations, Marketing and Communications
  2. Work in cooperation with the Executive Director, Office Manager, and program staff to develop and maintain written program description and welcome letters for all programs.
  3. Lead Camp tours with prospective Camp participants.
  4. Promote upcoming HopeWood Outdoors programs and invite guests to participate prior to departure of all summer campers, retreat groups, environmental education students and other guests.
  5. Promote HopeWood Outdoors opportunities with churches, youth groups, community groups and other venues (e.g., temple talks, develop relationships with key congregation’s leaders).
  6. Cultivate healthy relationships with people from the local area around the camps.
  7. Share photos, videos, and impact stories for HopeWood Outdoors marketing and financial development; foster the “virtual” camp community through social media.
  8. Work cooperatively with other key staff to effectively recruit guests.
  9. Work to develop and maintain relationships with staff alumni and obtain their contact information for our database.

 

  1. Other
  2. Implement the HopeWood Outdoors Environmental Ethics Policies and Procedures; participate in an annual environmental audit; identify ways to conserve energy and resources; limit waste and utilize recycling.
  3. Participate as a member of the year-round staff to ensure the integration of program with maintenance, housekeeping, food service and administration; support the work of other staff and pitch in wherever needed such as kitchen, office, cleaning or maintenance.
  4. Participate in camp and HopeWood Outdoors staff meetings and other staff development activities; lead summer staff meetings.
  5. Meet 1x1 with the Executive Director on a regular basis regarding how things are going and about anything significant or out of the ordinary.
  6. Professionally represent HopeWood Outdoors at all times.
  7. Complete other duties as assigned.

 

Essential Abilities:

  1. Understand and implement safety regulations and procedures.
  2. Communicate with people in person, over the phone and electronically; to identify and respond to safety and environmental hazards and inform guests and staff.
  3. Effectively drive, operate computers, order supplies, keep orderly records and develop curriculum.
  4. Endurance to work long hours.

 

Salary range/Compensation Package:  Begins at $47,500 and includes retirement contributions, medical coverage, earned vacation, and is sabbatical eligible

Application Instructions:  Visit Employment – HopeWood Outdoors to access and complete the application.

Website:  HopeWood Outdoors – Experience the Joy of Growing Deeper