What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Manager position at Wildwood Outdoor Education Center?
This Program Manager integrates Wildwood's kitchen, garden, and facilities into engaging, hands-on learning environments that connect campers to healthy food, sustainability, and stewardship.
About Wildwood Outdoor Education Center
At Wildwood, we bring kids outside to learn and grow together, transforming summer into a season of learning, youth development, and outdoor adventure for low-income Kansas City area youth.
Description
Summary
This role oversees garden-based education, manages kitchen operations that prioritize nutrition and sustainability, and coordinates facility projects that enhance the camp experience and hospitality for guests. This role collaborates across departments to align food service, maintenance, and program goals, ensuring that operations support camper learning and organizational efficiency while modeling care for people and the planet. This manager works closely with rental groups, agrotourism partners, and develops earned income opportunities for facility use outside of existing programs.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee day-to-day food system, facility and hospitality operations and logistics.
- Serve as a key contact for selected constituents: schools and groups, individual campers, families and caregivers, vendors and/or community partners.
- Supervise, coach, and evaluate seasonal and part-time staff within assigned program areas, providing ongoing feedback and professional development.
- Represent Wildwood in the community to recruit schools and groups and build partnerships.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Education, Recreation, Environmental Studies, Child Development, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience may substitute.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in education, camp management, natural resources, outdoor education, and/or youth program coordination.
- Supervisory experience required; experience managing seasonal or instructional staff preferred.
- Experience working with diverse youth populations and families, especially low-income families.
- Must be 25 years of age or older and pass pre-employment background and driver record checks.
- Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and on uneven terrain.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and participate in outdoor and high-activity settings.
Employment Details
- Full-time, year-round position with schedule varying by season.
- Evening and weekend work may be required during peak program season.
- Flexible schedule available during the off-season.
- Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, life, and disability insurance and a retirement plan.
- Free on-site housing may be offered.
Complimentary meals provided during active camp programming.
Salary
$45,000 - $52,500 per year
Salary : $45,000 - $52,500