Outdoor School Principal

This Outdoor School Principal directs and administers all Outdoor School operations supporting approximately 11,000+ students in 5th & 6th grade for 3-5 days across five sites across NW Oregon. This includes the supervision of instruction, support services, facility and operations, student activities, agency collaboration, and community relations activities. The Outdoor School principal leads the program year around with students joining either fall or spring sessions.  

QUALIFICATIONS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Valid Oregon Administrative license or willingness to obtain license by July 2023, and three years experience in supervision of personnel and residential programs required. 
• Master’s degree in Education, Environmental Education, Outdoor Education, or School Administration, or related field.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of instructional best practices and methods; effective student/classroom management, experiential education, outdoor education, culturally sustaining practices, and hands-on science instruction.   
• Experience with curriculum development, implementation, antiracist leadership and budgets.
• Strong communication, facilitation and leadership skills with many different groups including staff and external associates.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  Include the following.  Performs some or all of the following tasks.  Other Duties may be assigned.  The duties listed below are not inclusive, but characteristic of the type and level of work assigned for this position.

• Manage and grow the NWRESD Outdoor School program in cooperation with and in response to the needs of school districts, including updating vision and mission of the program. 
• Manage operating budgets for the Outdoor School program, including management of grants and program revenue streams; establish and maintain fiscal records, and control expenditures within approved budgets.  
• Work with other NWRESD programs and/or other agencies as required or as requested in matters dealing with: 

a. Transportation  b. Purchasing  c. Personnel  d.  Resource Assistance 

• Make staff assignments; selects and recommends hiring and termination, renewal or non-renewal of contracts for licensed staff and employment status of classified and seasonal staff. 
• Prepare and submit reports as required. 
• Direct program activities within resources approved and objectives established by the NWRESD. 
• Administer rules, regulations and procedures for the program within the policy structure of NWRESD. 
• Lead and oversee the Student Leader Recruitment and Training Program; including supervision of the Volunteer Coordinator. 
• Coordinate participation in ODE’s school nutrition program. Ensure compliance with extensive program requirements, including annual application and reporting. 
• Manage Seasonal ODS Site Nurses and protocols
• Work with school districts in: 

a. Improving and expanding Outdoor Schools programs, incorporating individual district philosophy. 
b. Encouraging professional staff growth through the offering of inservice training.
c. Collection of Free and Reduced Lunch participant lists for Outdoor Schools participants.

• Coordinates the participation in the ODS program of school districts outside of NWRESD service area and with private schools.
• Work with local police and fire authorities and on-site Outdoor Schools personnel to assure security and safety for all participants.
• Work with organized Outdoor School Site owners to:

a. Negotiate yearly leases for use of sites as Outdoor Schools sites.
b. Assure continued availability of Outdoor Schools sites for lease.
c. Determine that the site facilities are maintained and improved.

•  Maintain liaison with the Oregon Department of Education in:

a. Implementation of the Federal School Lunch, Breakfast, and Milk reimbursement program.
b. Acquisition of surplus commodity food through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
c. Acquisition of state and federal surplus materials for use in Outdoor School program.

•  Maintain an emotionally healthy and physically safe environment conducive to the educational development of students and the professional development of staff. This includes training staff on using equitable and inclusive practices and monitoring implementation.  Provide support to staff to meet changing needs of students and programs.
• Direct, supervise, and evaluate the work performed by program personnel in compliance with Board and District policy, utilizing evaluation systems in place.
• Purchases or supervises the purchase of supplies and equipment utilized at the ODS ODS sites.
• Ensure billing and collection of students fees from all school districts and schools participating in the ODS program.
• Work with higher education, governmental resource agencies, school districts, and professional organizations and other partners in furthering Outdoor School opportunities for children.
• Management of Cascade Education Corps program including supervision of a licensed teacher leading the youth corps program within Tigard-Tualatin School District as well as budgeting and program oversight. 
• Support for and recruitment of Cascade Education Corps project partners. 
• Respond to calls from Outdoor School program staff at all hours during on-site program times.

• Use analytical skills for planning a large and complex program, create and formulate spreadsheets to organize data across 5 sites and 25+ districts. 
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Note: The description contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principle functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

NWRESD believes that every individual makes a significant contribution to our success. The administration reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties as necessary that still reflect the essential functions of the department. It is our expectation that every employee will offer their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of the ESD’s goals.
Equal Opportunity Employer

Northwest Regional Education Service District is an equal opportunity employer; committed to building an inclusive community and an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We are proud to be an antiracist organization. We work to understand how racial ideology is manufactured and how it impacts the lives of our staff and those we serve. Northwest Regional Education Service District is proud to be an antiracist, Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to ensuring diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment, selection, and employment without regard to race, disability, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, religion, veteran or military status, or any other category protected under the law.

Northwest Regional Education Service District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment procedures for individuals experiencing a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected]. Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900

How to apply:

For more information and to apply, please visit the following link: 

https://www.applitrack.com/nwresd/OnlineApp/JobPostings/View.asp?AppliTrackJobId=2346