See the full listing including how to apply at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1chNG4EtXliIbXSYB05bDDfZTZ3Wz3cCB/view?usp=sharing

Organization Description: City Kids Wilderness Project’s mission is to build resiliency, broaden horizons, cultivate community, and develop skills for success in DC youth through a long-term, cohort-based model that utilizes both the wilderness and urban environment in and around Washington, D.C. and during the summer at our ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Youth enroll as sixth graders and continue their engagement with City Kids with the same cohort of youth through 12th grade and beyond.

Position Summary: City Kids is looking for a Director of Programs who is mission-centered and has strong experience in youth development, outdoor/wilderness programs, wilderness risk/crisis management and program management. City Kids is looking for a collaborative and committed leader motivated to create fun, engaging, and inclusive programs, while building relationships with youth, families, and partners. As an essential member of the City Kids leadership team, the Director of Programs, DC will help to design and communicate organization-wide strategic priorities, identify best practices, and improve internal systems aligned with City Kids Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEI) Statement of Beliefs and values. Additionally, the Director of Programs, DC plays a critical role in sharing Program and other related organizational updates to the City Kids Board of Directors and other stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic and flexible multi-talented leader with skills in community engagement, youth development, outdoor program leadership, and program operations. The Director of Programs, DC will work in close partnership with the Director of Programs, WY, and the Executive Director to help design and implement programmatic priorities and achieve organizational strategic goals. Specifically, the Director of Programs - DC oversees the City Kids DC-based school year and summer programs for camper (grades 6 - 9) and Job Experience Trainee (grades 10 - 12) participants. This includes, but is not limited to overseeing the design and implementation of high quality programs, staffing, operations, compliance, and risk management. In addition to program design and oversight, this role serves as an organizational leader for staff training, risk management, organizational partnerships, strategic plan implementation, and other program related priorities within the current and forthcoming organizational strategic plans.

This role directly supervises 3-4 full-time program staff. This position reports to the Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities:

Design, Implementation & Oversight of City Kids DC-based Programming

• Program Leadership: Directs, designs, and oversees DC-based City Kids programming, including fun and engaging weekend outdoor adventure trips, leadership and job training workshops, service learning programming, college and career preparation, and alumni programs, as well as individual youth and family mentorship.
• Program Implementation & Logistics: Works with Program Managers to plan trips and program activities, participates in programming as a leader and program facilitator, and serves as a key programmatic point of contact. 
• Program Operations: Creates logistics plans for vehicles, gear, trips, and staffing to ensure smooth program operations.
• Planning & Schedule Development: Develops annual program goals and schedules DC programs (afterschool, weekend outdoor adventure trips, JET training and programming, recruitment, orientation, DC summer programs, etc.) 
• New Student & AnnualEnrollment: Supports student recruitment, parent and family orientations, and program enrollment processes in partnership with program staff. Oversees the annual enrollment process for returning participants, including managing the enrollment database.
• Strategic Plan Implementation: Directs and supports the program team in managing the implementation of City Kids’ strategic plan. Uses data, research, and learnings from past iterations to inform priorities in staff training, program design, and resource allocation.
• Partnerships: Maintains strong relationships with existing partner organizations and works to develop new strategic partnerships for the organization in Washington, DC.
• Budget: Works with department staff and ED to develop the annual program budget. 
• Risk and Crisis Management: Serves as an on-site lead for risk management and crisis management. Provides staff leadership during crisis moments and serves as a communications lead with insurance, staff, & board as needed.

Staff Management and Training

• Staff Management & Performance Review: Directly supervises 3 - 4 Program Managers and support supervision of seasonal employees to ensure that program goals are met.
• Positive Work Environment: Creates a motivating and rewarding environment that is youth-centered, fun, collaborative, and engaging. Maintains an internal culture that upholds our City Kids Statement of Beliefs and reflects Core Values. 
• Staff Training: Leads and facilitates training and professional development opportunities for all program staff. 
• Hiring & Onboarding: Co-leads full-time program staff hiring for DC-based positions in partnership with the Direct of Programs, WY, supported by other organizational staff.
• Oversee DC volunteer engagement:  Work closely with the Administration & Operations team to manage the recruitment and retention of volunteers. Assists in delivering volunteer training and connects volunteers to opportunities to staff weekend programming.

Program, Curriculum, and Policy Development

• Strategic Planning & Program Development: Provides on-going leadership in strategic planning and program development to ensure that City Kids’ programming continues to evolve and grow to best meet the needs of participants and families, ensuring a fun and rewarding environment for participants and staff.
• Curriculum Development: Documents and builds out City Kids’ curriculum in partnership with the Director of Programs, WY and the program team to ensure a coherent and impactful curriculum across cohorts, locations, and age groups.
• Policy Implementation & Updates: Works closely with staff across the organization to implement, assess, and as necessary, create and update internal policies, procedures, and budgets. 

Risk Management

• On-going Risk Management Work: Serves as a lead for risk management practices including program operations, backcountry practices, staff training requirements, and other areas as needed. 
• Risk-Management Build-Out: Serves as a member of the Risk Management Committee to continue to build out City Kids’ risk management practices. This may include leadership with external risk management audits, researching and working towards accreditation, and providing training to staff, volunteers, and board members on City Kids’ risk management practices.

Data and Evaluation

• Outcomes Evaluation: Consistently collects, tracks, and analyzes programmatic data related to City Kids outcome measures. Routinely incorporates data-informed discussion and reflection as part of the organizational effort to create a “continuous learning” environment. 
• Data Analysis & Stakeholder Reporting: Uses City Kids’ data tools and participant databases to analyze and present data on youth or organizational outcomes. Uses data to test strategies, hold staff accountable for outcomes, and inform business strategies. Ensures the efficient use of data and data tools by program staff.

All other duties as assigned by the Executive Director. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIREMENTS

• At least 8 years of professional experience in wilderness/outdoor program management including 4 years in a role with responsibility for managing programs and teams. 
• Experience working in an organizational leadership role.
• Experience working in adolescent development and positive youth development.
• Experience with program/wilderness risk management and crisis management.
• Experience working in diverse communities.
• CPR and Wilderness First Responder Certifications, Mandated Reporter training, DCPS clearance, FBI background check, and NSO registry clearance (these may be completed or provided by City Kids if not already in place).

OTHER DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES 

• A personal commitment to and deep understanding of City Kids’ mission and values.
• Cultural competency, the ability to work in diverse communities and a commitment to social justice, equity and inclusion.
• A youth-centered, fun, collaborative and creative approach and spirit to the work.
• Flexibility, creativity, ability to manage multiple demands and to thrive in an evolving and dynamic environment.
• Ability to utilize multiple styles and methods towards growth-oriented, human-centered conflict resolution with power and privilege in mind. 
• Skills and experience in leading through change and ambiguity, demonstrating resourcefulness and a calm temperament.
• Strong communication skills and an openness to communicate across roles and departments.
• Personal qualities of maturity, humility, strong work ethic, and roll-up-my-sleeves attitude.
• Experience building and maintaining strong relationships with diverse community stakeholders, such as schools and community partners. 
• Ability to stay within budgeted expenses, attention to cost and ability to negotiate discounts and in-kind donations.
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred.