Director of School and Community Programs

This is an opportunity to shape the educational experience for hundreds of young people annually
while building lasting partnerships across New Mexico and the country. We are seeking a Director
of School & Community Programs to work closely with our school partners, community partners,
and Cottonwood Gulch staff team to strengthen our existing programs, find new partnerships, and
provide guidance and support to our team of educators. We provide innovative, experiential
education in the outdoors, and the Director of School & Community Programs will play a large role
in continually refining our programs and partnerships. They will act as the point person for our
school partners, supervise year-round educators, and train CGE staff on our programs, curriculum,
and itineraries. Responsibilities will break down as follows:
Key Responsibilities
School and Community Partnerships (~40%)
● Act as the primary administrative liaison for 20-30 school and community partners,
ensuring effective communication and relationship management.
● Match school and community partners with CGE programming that best fits their needs.
● Proactively recruit new schools and organizations to expand our network and reach.
● Create and manage administrative relationships with partners, including budgets, reports,
and feedback systems that will enhance programs and relationships.

Staff Leadership and Training (~30%)
● Supervise 2-4 permanent staff members and 3-5 seasonal staff in the spring and fall
seasons.
● Lead comprehensive staff training sessions on experiential outdoor education, including
overnight training.
● Collaborate to maintain and enhance our policies, processes, and risk management plan.

● Assist with staff recruiting and hiring.
● Participate in the Cottonwood Gulch On Call system; Provide timely administrative and
field support to respond to unforeseen challenges.
Program Development, Improvement, Alignment (~20%)
● Spend time in the field to assess program quality and provide coaching and support for
field staff.
● In partnership with our educators, design and improve CGE educational programs,
ensuring they align with the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
● Incorporate outdoor and experiential education best practices into CGE programs, and
ensure staff have access to effective digital and physical resources.
● Communicate effectively with program staff and operations staff to ensure field programs
function at a high level.

Administrative and other duties (~10%)
● Collaborate with the administrative team to develop aspects of the organization’s annual
and seasonal financial budgets and goals, support operations staff in acquiring special use
permits, and assist development staff in completing grant applications and reports.
● Model the organization’s values in everyday work.

Required Qualifications:
● Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by the position start date and possess a valid
driver’s license. Must have a clean driving history and be able to meet the criteria for CGE
vehicle insurance coverage.
● At least five years of experience in education, including experience with outdoor
experiential education with a diverse population of students.
● Experience in leadership/supervisory/managerial roles.
● Must be able to spend time in the field, including overnight hours. Work hours are
sometimes outside of traditional office hours.
● Experience with Google Workspace or ability to quickly learn to use those applications,
and similar ones, in a professional setting.
● Strong administrative skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks
simultaneously and independently.
● Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a wide range of audiences.
● Wilderness First Aid certification, or ability to acquire within 90 days of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:
● Eight or more years experience in education, with connections to school and community
partners in New Mexico.
● Masters or higher degree in education, outdoor education, or related field.
● Fluent in Spanish.
● Wilderness First Responder or higher medical training.
● Experience with development work, including fundraising and grants.

Reports To: Executive Director
Criminal Background Check: CGE requires criminal background checks from all employees.
Physical Requirements: Ability to hike up to 5 miles a day on uneven surfaces and carry a pack up
to 30 pounds. Ability to sleep in a tent or open-air cabin accessed by stairs, work at a desk, talk on
the phone, and use a computer.
Work Location & Seasonality: Albuquerque, NM, with travel throughout the state, including
periods of time camping in frontcountry and backcountry settings (we estimate 20-40 nights
camping total per year, more if desired).
Compensation & Benefits: This is a year-round, full-time, exempt position. Starting salary $55-65k
depending on experience, plus a generous benefits package including 100% healthcare premiums
(health, dental, vision), 5% retirement match, paid time off, flexible working hours and locations.
We provide room and board while at Cottonwood Gulch Basecamp and on field expeditions.
Inclusive and Welcoming Environment
CGE is an equal opportunity employer and does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin (ancestry),
disability, marital status, sexual orientation, spousal affiliation, mental or physical handicap,
serious medical condition, or military status in any of its activities or operations.
Moreover, Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions believes in the learning, growth and healing that can
take place in the outdoors. We also recognize that access to programs like ours—along with
access to any green space, clean air and water, and healthy food—continues to be a privilege
rather than a right. CGE recognizes that in outdoor spaces, the voices and work of people of
color, people from working class backgrounds, Indigenous people, women, and LGBTQ+
individuals have been often overlooked and marginalized. Therefore, we encourage applications
from people in these groups, and all people, regardless of background.

To Apply
Email a resume and cover letter to Jordan Stone, Executive Director:
jordan@cottonwoodgulch.org. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by
2/1/26. Target start date in March 2026.