Field Education Manager

The Field Education Manager is a key leader within Yellowstone Forever’s Institute, responsible for supervising, mentoring, and supporting field educators to ensure the delivery of exceptional educational programs in Yellowstone National Park. Reporting to the Chief Program Officer (CPO), this position fosters a collaborative and professional culture while serving as the primary liaison between field staff and Institute management.

This position oversees the development and implementation of comprehensive seasonal training programs, mentorship initiatives, and professional development opportunities. The Field Education Manager also collaborates with the Institute Programming Director to design and deliver advanced training programs aimed at enhancing the skills and expertise of educators and guides, ensuring alignment with the highest standards of outdoor education.

In addition, the Field Education Manager plays a pivotal role in planning and facilitating donor engagement programs and specialized events, creating impactful experiences that connect participants to Yellowstone Forever’s mission. Success in this role requires strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills, a solution-oriented mindset, and a commitment to cultivating excellence within the Institute team.

Primary Responsibilities

Field Education Supervision and Support

• Supervise and mentor field educators, providing constructive feedback through ongoing communication, evaluations, and in-field observations.
• Approve timecards, manage schedules, and ensure equitable workload distribution among field staff.
• Act as the primary liaison between field educators and Institute management, facilitating effective communication and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Address program-related challenges, providing operational support and resources to ensure field educators’ success.
• Monitor program implementation to maintain consistency, quality, and adherence to organizational mission and values.

Training and Professional Development

• Lead the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of training programs for Yellowstone Forever (YF) field staff, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and best practices in outdoor education.
• Develop mentorship initiatives to foster growth and collaboration among YF field educators.
• Create teaching materials and resources emphasizing Yellowstone’s ecological, cultural, and historical diversity, promoting inclusivity and high-quality program delivery.
• Collaborate with the Institute Programming Director to design and implement professional development programs for external audiences, setting standards and advancing the field of outdoor education.

Donor Engagement and Specialized Programming

• Plan and facilitate donor engagement programs, creating meaningful experiences that connect supporters to Yellowstone Forever’s mission.
• Serve as the lead educator for specialized programs, ensuring high-quality delivery and representing YF in donor-focused and high-profile engagements.
• Work with the Programming Director to ensure alignment between donor-focused programming and broader organizational goals.

Operational and Logistical Management

• Oversee field staff schedules, ensuring adequate program coverage and efficient operations.
• Collaborate with Institute staff to ensure field educators have access to necessary materials, information, and logistical support for program delivery.
• Conduct performance evaluations for field staff, identifying opportunities for growth and addressing performance-related challenges.

Collaboration and Leadership

• Partner with the Institute Programming Director to align field operations with organizational priorities and programmatic goals.
• Facilitate collaboration between field educators and other departments, ensuring seamless integration and communication across the organization.

Basic Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in field education, environmental education, outdoor education, or a related field, with a minimum of 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Proven ability to develop, lead, and evaluate training programs, with experience mentoring and supporting staff to deliver high-quality educational programs.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex schedules, supervising teams, and ensuring operational efficiency.
• Exceptional organizational and planning skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects effectively.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to adapt to diverse audiences and facilitate collaboration between departments.
• Experience developing teaching materials and resources that emphasize inclusivity and highlight ecological, cultural, and historical diversity.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and resolve conflicts effectively while fostering a collaborative and professional team culture.
• Solution-oriented mindset, with proven skills in analyzing challenges, identifying opportunities, and implementing actionable solutions.
• Familiarity with risk management practices and safety protocols for field-based education programs.
• A valid U.S. driver’s license with a favorable driving record and the ability to pass Yellowstone Forever’s driver training and Department of Transportation medical exam.
• Ability to successfully pass and maintain a satisfactory criminal background check (renewed every two years).

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental education, outdoor leadership, teaching, or a related field.
• Experience designing and implementing professional development programs for educators, including external audiences.
• Familiarity with the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, its natural and cultural history, and its relevance to outdoor education.
• Certification in NAI training programs (Certified Interpretive Guide, Certified Interpretive Host) or willingness to obtain certifications within the first year of employment.
• Experience leading donor engagement programs or specialized educational initiatives.
• Wilderness First Responder certification or equivalent safety training.
• Proven ability to foster a culture of professionalism, continuous learning, and collaboration among staff. 

Yellowstone Forever is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, political beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.