Challenge Course Coordinator
THE POSITION
The Park School seeks an outdoor education enthusiast to be the Challenge Course Coordinator at Park’s revamped Appalachian Challenge Course. In collaboration with school leaders, the Challenge Course Coordinator will design the curriculum for Park Students (Pre-K-12) and facilitate experiential education experiences with students and staff. In addition, in collaboration with the Director of Auxiliary Programming, the person will design the challenge course rental program, identifying ways to open the course to the larger Baltimore community. This position is a 12-month, full-time position, although the specific hours vary seasonally based on the nature of the role.
Devoted to intellectual inquiry, a collaborative spirit of learning, and an appreciation for the diversity of human experience, The Park School of Baltimore is a community founded on positive expectations of our students and respect for individual differences.
We cultivate children’s innate curiosity by nurturing their interests and engaging them as active participants in their own education.
We support young people in becoming confident questioners and responsible citizens of the world.
The Park School is a non-sectarian, independent, coeducational day school of 845 students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Founded in 1912 as one of the early progressive schools, The Park School continues to practice a distinct educational philosophy. The core values today, as in 1912, are a belief in children’s capacity to love learning, to grow academically and emotionally when inspired by highly qualified, caring teachers, and to develop self-discipline, confidence, and creative problem-solving skills through deep exploration and constant challenge. At every grade level, from Pre-Kindergarten through Upper School, Park actively encourages questioning and conversation as essential elements of the learning process. The school philosophy emphasizes a belief in positive expectations and expects that students, as they mature, will take increasing responsibility for their own learning.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
- In collaboration with the P.E. Department Chair and other school leaders, co-create and lead the challenge course experiences for Park students, which includes creating the broader curricular vision for each age group and facilitating activities with students on the course. The curriculum design process will be collaborative, as the person will work closely with the school leaders to create a shared vision that aligns with each division’s curricular goals and requirements.
- Serve as an outdoor education advocate and leader, someone who inspires the Park community to find meaningful ways to integrate experiential education into the program.
- In collaboration with the Director of Auxiliary Programming, design the rental program for challenge course experiences that take place outside of school hours.
- In collaboration with the Director of Auxiliary Programming, support the challenge course staff, which involves leading the challenge course training program to help support staff gain appropriate certification.
- Manage challenge course facility, which includes inspecting the course and equipment regularly and ensuring that all safety standards are met.
SEASONAL DETAILS
- Spring (March-May):
- In collaboration with the P.E. department, division leaders, and the Director of Auxiliary Programming:
- Develop and launch the challenge course program that can be used by students to earn P.E. credit.
- Establish the curricular vision for programming that will begin with Park students starting in Fall 2024.
- Establish the rental program framework that will begin in Fall 2024.
- Develop and lead the training program for students that aspire to get certified as challenge course leaders. Complete the certification program for the first group of students so that they are able to serve as support staff for programming beginning in Summer 2024.
- In collaboration with the P.E. department, division leaders, and the Director of Auxiliary Programming:
- Summer (June-August):
- Lead all challenge course programming for Park Summer Camps (June 11-July 26).
- Oversee and support the Challenge Course Staff (3-4 challenge course instructors that gained certification through the spring program).
- Continue certification training program to build the staff to support the rental program that launches in the fall.
- Fall (September-November):
- Implement programming for Park students, engaging Lower, Middle, and Upper School students in age-appropriate experiences on the challenge course.
- Collaborate with school leaders to ensure the program is scheduled and integrated smoothly within the broader curricular framework at each level.
- Gather and implement feedback from early challenge course experiences to continue to refine and shape the program.
- Launch and direct the challenge course rental program.
- Winter (December-February):
- Lead winter challenge courses for P.E. credit.
- Support with outdoor trip planning and execution.
- Continue to lead rental program experiences and develop challenge course leadership training program.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- 200 or more hours of experience as a challenge course facilitator including high and low elements
- 40 or more hours of challenge course training
- Level 1 ACCT certification or the ability to become certified
- First Aid and CPR certification (provided by employer if not already secured)
- Comfort working at heights of 40 feet
- Able to climb and perform rescue on a 40-foot high course
- Able to lift 50 lbs. and work outside in all weather conditions
- Experience facilitating groups of all ages and diverse backgrounds
- One year or more of experience in: customer service, staff supervision, and staff training
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google applications
- Demonstrated commitment to safety and risk management
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO
- Inspire students and staff to engage in outdoor education experiences that help them develop leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
- Design challenge course experiences, programs, and curriculums that align with Park’s mission and philosophy.
- Differentiate programming to a variety of ages, skill levels, and experiences.
- Collaborate effectively with a variety of constituencies within the school.
- Understand the full scope of projects while seeing individual tasks through to completion.
- Ensure that all required safety and compliance forms and protocols are accurate and up to date.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Park salaries and benefits are highly competitive with those in other leading independent schools. For new appointments, salaries reflect experience and training equated to Park’s scales.
In addition to normal retirement and health benefits, the school offers the following distinctive programs:
- Tuition Remission: Under current policy, faculty and staff who have been employed at Park full-time for two years are eligible to receive full tuition remission for their children who attend Park. All candidates, including faculty children, must meet Park’s standards for admission. (During the first two years of employment, faculty may apply for aid through the need-based tuition assistance program.)
APPLICATION PROCESS
Due to the large volume of incoming résumés, we cannot accept phone calls. Send a letter of interest, personal statement, and résumé. Please also indicate whether there are any special circumstances that will affect the timing of your search, availability for interviews, and decisions for the coming year.
CONTACT
Nate Edmunds, Director of Auxiliary Programming
The Park School
2425 Old Court Road
Baltimore, MD 21208
nedmunds@parkschool.net
The Park School of Baltimore does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, ancestry, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or any physical or mental disability unrelated to a reasonable performance of an employee’s duties.
COVID-19
Please note: Park School currently requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination, subject to legally required exemptions, as a condition of employment.