About Us
REACH is a two-and-a-half-year program that provides transformative support and development opportunities to first-generation, college-bound students as they transition from high school to postsecondary education and other opportunities. The program offers a unique blend of programming focused on academic preparation, outdoor experiences, and personal development. The program helps students cultivate their leadership skills, foster meaningful relationships, and engage in experiences essential for their path from school to a fulfilling career.
REACH is fiscally sponsored by the Wilderness Youth Project (WYP). WYP's mission is to nurture smarter, healthier, and happier children who feel a sustained connection to nature and are peaceful, self-aware community members.
Job Summary
The REACH Outdoor Program Manager is responsible for designing, coordinating, and leading all outdoor programming across REACH’s multi-year student journey. This includes planning and leading immersive nature-based experiences, developing curriculum and lesson planning, managing trip logistics, building safety protocols, coordinating with partners and guides, and facilitating lessons that connect outdoor learning with personal growth.
Working with a small team of three others (Executive Director, Academics Program Manager, and Student Development Program Manager), the Outdoor Program Manager implements programming goals that support students' connection to nature, resilience-building, leadership development, social-emotional learning, and community belonging. Programming includes week-long backpacking trips, day hikes, cultural immersion experiences, and other nature-based programming throughout Santa Barbara County and beyond.
This position may be based in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria, California, and travels regularly throughout the county.
General Accountabilities
REACH is a two-and-a-half-year program that provides transformative support and development opportunities to first-generation, college-bound students as they transition from high school to postsecondary education and other opportunities. The program offers a unique blend of programming focused on academic preparation, outdoor experiences, and personal development. The program helps students cultivate their leadership skills, foster meaningful relationships, and engage in experiences essential for their path from school to a fulfilling career.
REACH is fiscally sponsored by the Wilderness Youth Project (WYP). WYP's mission is to nurture smarter, healthier, and happier children who feel a sustained connection to nature and are peaceful, self-aware community members.
Job Summary
The REACH Outdoor Program Manager is responsible for designing, coordinating, and leading all outdoor programming across REACH’s multi-year student journey. This includes planning and leading immersive nature-based experiences, developing curriculum and lesson planning, managing trip logistics, building safety protocols, coordinating with partners and guides, and facilitating lessons that connect outdoor learning with personal growth.
Working with a small team of three others (Executive Director, Academics Program Manager, and Student Development Program Manager), the Outdoor Program Manager implements programming goals that support students' connection to nature, resilience-building, leadership development, social-emotional learning, and community belonging. Programming includes week-long backpacking trips, day hikes, cultural immersion experiences, and other nature-based programming throughout Santa Barbara County and beyond.
This position may be based in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria, California, and travels regularly throughout the county.
General Accountabilities
- Plans and leads regular outdoor programming for high school and college students, alpine backpacking expeditions, rock climbing expeditions, weekend overnight trips, and immersive retreats
- Design curriculum that integrates nature-based learning with personal and leadership development
- Coordinates and manages logistics for all outdoor activities, including transportation, equipment, meals, safety, and risk management
- Collaborates on risk management policy design, trains guides on outdoor and behavioral risk management, and generally takes responsibility for maintaining risk management systems that meet the highest industry standards.
- Coordinates internal low-level evacuations from internally led expeditions like backpacking or Joshua Tree
- Supports the planning and facilitation of multi-day expeditions like our overnight camping trips, backpacking trips, and rock climbing trips
- Acts as lead facilitator or co-facilitator for outdoor and reflective programming, using best practices in youth development and experiential education
- Builds and maintains relationships with local parks, land trusts, outfitters, outdoor education providers, and community partners, including establishing and managing pro-deals or sponsorships with outdoor gear companies (e.g., Patagonia, Columbia, REI) to support student programming and equipment needs
- Supports recruitment, onboarding, and coordination of volunteers or guides for outdoor programming
- Serves as a driver for REACH outdoor activities (REACH vehicle provided)
- Oversees gear inventory, maintenance, and distribution to students for outdoor trips
- Maintains documentation and records related to attendance, safety, evaluations, and impact
- Participates in quarterly Advisory Board meetings and shares updates on outdoor program outcomes
- Collaborates with other REACH staff on cross-program initiatives and supports academic and personal development events as needed
- Other duties as assigned
Job Qualifications & Skills
Required Skills
Job Qualifications & Skills
Required Skills
- Must be 21+ years old (insurance requirement)
- Valid CA driver's license and comfort driving large vehicles
- CDL Passenger Endorsement OR willingness/ability to obtain within the first six months of employment
- Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) (within the last 2 years)
- 2+ years or 300+ field days as a lead or senior guide with independent risk management responsibilitiesc
- 2-3 years of experience leading or coordinating outdoor programming with youth, preferably first-generation or BIPOC youth
- Knowledge of experiential education, risk management, and environmental stewardship
- Ability to design curriculum and facilitate reflection in outdoor settings
- High energy, positive attitude, ability, and willingness to work long hours and multiple days in succession, including weekends
- Excellent organizational and logistical planning skills
- Strong communication and public speaking skills
- Proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Forms, etc.)
- Ability to carry 80 lbs up a flight of stairs and hike/backpack with a pack for multiple days
- Flexible and adaptable to the changing demands of conducting community-based youth programming, as well as the demands of a fast-paced office environment
- Ability to work as part of a team to accomplish common goals
- Other responsibilities as assigned
Highly Desirable Skills
Highly Desirable Skills
- Experience organizing or leading cross-cultural immersion trips
- Familiarity with Leave No Trace principles and trauma-informed outdoor practices
- Bilingual Spanish/English (spoken & written)
- AMGA formal training and rescue training, specifically ocean rescue, swift water level 4, wilderness EMT, experience in S.A.R., and/or high-angle rescue)
- Formal training or certification in mental health first aid, and or de-escalation techniques (ex, EIGIS institute)
Work Experience
3+ years of relevant work experience
Education
Four-year college degree (BA or BS) required or equivalent education/life/work experience required
Compensation & Benefits
Salary
This position is full-time/exempt: $68,640K to $76,000 (depending on experience)
Benefits
Include paid time off (sick & vacation), health care stipend, voluntary dental plan, 403b retirement plan. More details about additional benefits may be found in the WYP Employee Handbook.
Desired Start Date
June 2, 2025
How to Apply
Applicants should carefully review the required and desired qualifications listed above. After that, please submit the following:
- Cover letter that addresses the alignment of your experience and interests with the position as outlined above and REACH’s mission
- Resume
- List of 3-5 references
Submit your materials via e-mail attachment in PDF file format to Raúl Aguilera at jobs@myreachnetwork.org.
Initial correspondence via e-mail is preferred. We will continue reviewing applications until the position is filled. We will inform you of timelines and next steps within 2 weeks of receiving your application.
REACH is a fiscally sponsored program of Wilderness Youth Project.
