I’m hiring: Assistant Program Director

The 2023 guiding season is almost underway: a trip schedule will be released later this month, and the application period will open in mid-December.

To help me run the program next year, I plan to hire an Assistant Director. This is a full-time and year-round position, and I hope that the candidate steps up as a Co-Director or Director after one or two seasons.

Update, Nov 27, 2022: Thank you for your interest in this position. I am no longer accepting applications.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Director (AD) will:

1. Run the Planning Curriculum and Plan Like A Pro courses, which entails creating, updating, and distributing instructional content, and managing a four- to six-person instructor team that reviews assignments and works more one-on-one with clients and students.

2. Assist me with critical operational functions for the guided trip program, such as:

• Reviewing applications and forming groups;
• Applying for, keeping track of, and submitting monthly and year-end reports for commercial permits and wilderness permits;
• Setting and coordinating travel plans for guides and clients;
• Creating trip itineraries and topographic maps;
• Reviewing and acting on feedback submitted by clients and students in post-trip and post-course surveys;
• Preparing for the upcoming season, like by drafting a calendar, updating website content, and creating the application system.

Eventually I’d like to involve the AD in other internal operations (accounting, payroll, insurance), guide team training, marketing, and related initiatives like the scholarship program, wilderness medicine courses, and content development.

If the AD resides in or near Boulder, Colo., they could also help manage a local two- to three-person team that (a) plans and prepares the group meals and (b) packs the program van with food, supplies, and loaner gear before each trip, and unpacks it when it returns.

Guiding trips is not an essential responsibility of the AD — it’s helpful to have someone in the office who can serve as an emergency contact for groups in the field, finish preparations for upcoming trips, and communicate with clients and new applicants. However, it’s better overall if the AD can guide some trips, because they’ll better understand the guide and client experience and because they could manage some locations without me being on-site.

Qualifications

Applicants must be:

• Independently productive, with regular but not extensive oversight;
• Entrepreneurial, by continually identifying opportunities to improve and grow the program;
• Attentive to detail, because small mistakes can have huge ramifications in this business; and,
• Professional, with good communication skills, high emotional intelligence, willingness to give and receive feedback, and a client-first mindset.

I prefer candidates with prior experience as an outdoor guide, instructor, or educator, or as an operational employee for a guiding or outdoor recreation program.

Strong content development skills — such as writing, or audio or video production — are a major plus, since content on this website generates interest in the guided trips, online course, and guidebooks.

Existing familiarity with my guiding program and/or me is helpful. Such candidates will have more realistic expectations of the position and will be more plug-and-play from the start.

Google Sheets is the program’s software cornerstone. If you’re comfortable with spreadsheets that have a dozen tabs, hundreds of rows of data, and column names that start with C, keep reading. Google Classroom, CalTopo, Gaia GPS, and MailChimp are also commonly used.

Location

Ideally, the AD will live in or near Boulder, so that we can regularly meet and work together in-person and so that they can (help) manage local preparation of food, gear, and supplies.

If they AD does not live in or near Boulder, they must at least live within few hours of Boulder, so that they can get here easily when it’s really needed.

Applications from individuals who live more than four hours from Boulder, Colo, will not be considered.

Geographic requirements have been increased since this job opening was first posted. I have received multiple applications from qualified applicants who live within four hours of Boulder, which is my preference.

Time commitment

This is a full-time position with an expected workload of 32 to 40 hours per week. The work flow is seasonal, with the first six months of the year being predictably busier than the second six months.

Side work (e.g. your own small business, freelance contracts) is acceptable, so long as it does not and will not compete with or take priority over the AD position.

Compensation and benefits

Total compensation and benefits will total $65,000 to $70,000, depending on experience and assuming 40 hours per week. The package consists of:

• $45,000 to $50,000: base salary;
• $4,500 to $5,000: profit-sharing bonus equal to about 10 percent of base salary in FY2023, with the share of profits increasing in subsequent years;
• $11,250 to $12,500: 401(k) contribution of up to 25 percent of base salary; plus,
• Monthly subsidy for health insurance and technology (internet, phone).

Vacation time is unlimited. It’s ideally used mid-summer through fall, after we’re through most of the season but before we start ramping up for the next one.

How to apply

Update, Nov 27: I am no longer accepting applications for this position.

To view and complete the Application Form, click here.

Applicants must upload a resume and/or a letter of interest that demonstrates relevant experience. The Application Form will accept PDF’s and other document file types like .txt and .docx.

To upload files you must be logged into your Google account, if you are not already.

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Application deadline

I will accept applications through at least Monday, November 21, or until the position is filled. When the position is filled, I will disable the Application Form and update this page.

Notes

Andrew Skurka Adventures LLC is an equal opportunity employer.

If you have general questions about this position, leave a comment below. I will answer it there, to avoid multiple private answers to the same questions.

If you have a question that pertains specifically to your application, please contact me directly.