Description
Chewonki’s Center for Environmental Education (CEE) is seeking a dynamic, experienced outdoor education leader to join our team as Associate Director of the Center for Environmental Education. This is a unique opportunity to help shape transformative environmental learning experiences for thousands of participants each year! If you thrive at the intersection of program leadership, curriculum development, staff mentorship, and hands-on field work, this role offers both responsibility and adventure across all seasons.
- Location: Wiscasset, Maine (On Campus)
- Anticipated Start Date: March, 2026
- Reports to: Director of the Center for Environmental Education
- Salary: $58,656 / Annually
- Benefits: access to meals on campus, health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, 403B retirement plan, and access to professional development funds.
About the Center for Environmental Education
The Center for Environmental Education supports Chewonki’s day programs, overnight programs, off-site programming, team development initiatives, workshops, and trips. Together, we deliver immersive experiences rooted in natural history, outdoor living skills, environmental literacy, and personal growth, all aligned with Chewonki’s mission to foster stewardship of the natural world.
The Associate Director of CEE is a key member of the leadership team, working closely with the Director of CEE, Associate Director of Natural History, Outdoor Logistics and Group Coordinator, Camp Director, and Associate Director of Trips.
The Role
The Associate Director of CEE focuses on managing onsite day and overnight programs while providing leadership, mentorship, and field support to environmental educators and trip leaders. During the summer, this role also collaborates closely with Camp Chewonki and the Trips program to support backcountry travel and outdoor living skills instruction.
This is a high-impact, hands-on leadership position for someone who values collaboration, excellence in programming, thoughtful risk management, and meaningful relationships with participants, families, and partner schools.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Management
Serve as a core member of the CEE leadership team supporting all CEE programming: day and overnight programs, offsite programs, workshops, team development, contracted trips, and packout
Provide direct field support to Environmental Education Instructors and Trip Leaders
Participate in an on-call duty rotation, including overnight campus support when residential programs are in session
Support challenge course facilitation, team development, and rescues as needed
Training & Curriculum Development
Lead planning and implementation of spring and fall CEE staff training
Train staff to industry standards and Chewonki operating procedures
Develop and refine an integrated, equitable, and mission-aligned curriculum
Collaborate with partner schools to align CEE programming with school-based curricula
Strengthen curriculum in social-emotional learning, sense of place, ecology, and outdoor living skills
Camp Chewonki Responsibilities
Work with the Associate Director of Trips to support the completion of day-to-day tasks in the Trips Office. This may include providing direct field support, trip briefings and debriefings, driving resupplies, etc.
Assist with summer staff training
Practice and model sound risk management that prioritizes the physical and emotional safety of campers and camp staff
Staff Hiring, Supervision & Mentorship
Assist with hiring and supervising CEE staff
Mentor instructors through observations, feedback, and regular check-ins
Foster a supportive, high-performing team culture
Risk Management & Safety
Model and coach best practices in risk management
Support incident response and communication in collaboration with leadership teams
Lead after-action reviews and continuous improvement efforts
Relationship & Community Building
Serve as a primary contact for school partners and program families
Deliver exceptional customer service and build long-term relationships
Collaborate across departments including Facilities, Kitchen, Health & Wellness, Development, and Alumni
Participate in recruitment, retention, and re-enrollment efforts
Additional Opportunities
Lead occasional school or staff training trips
Participate in Chewonki committees and foundation-wide events
Engage with the broader outdoor education community, including active involvement with Maine Outdoor Schools For All (MOSFA)
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be at least 21 years old.
- Must pass Criminal Background Check including Motor Vehicle Record and Driver’s License approved by Chewonki’s insurance carrier.
- Bachelor's Degree preferred.
- Previous outdoor school experience required.
- Previous backcountry canoe, sea kayak, and/or backpacking trip leading experience preferred.
- Previous management experience.
- Passionate about working with participants and educators.
- Adaptive, communicative, accountable, and solution focused.
- Experience using Google Workspace.
- Maintain or ability to obtain active certifications:
- Wilderness First Responder.
- ACCT Level 2 Level 2 Challenge Course Practitioners Certification.
- Maine Guide License.
- American Canoe Association Instructor.
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, early mornings and/or evenings, occasionally working 6 days in a row.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must be able to lift up to 50 lb at a time.
- Must be able to work in an active, outdoor environment in a variety of weather conditions.
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to travel as needed.
