COMMUNITY

Challenge Course & Basecamp Manager

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A renowned entrepreneur and co-founder of The Home Depot, Arthur M. Blank is now recognized for his values-based Blank Family of Businesses and as one of America’s leading philanthropists through The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. All of his industry-leading businesses and the Blank Family Foundation operate on six core values: Put People First, Listen and Respond, Include Everyone, Innovate Continuously, Lead by Example, Give Back to Others.

After 25 years and more than $950 million in giving as of August 2022, the Blank Family Foundation has committed to significantly escalating the impact of its philanthropy over the next 10+ years. This milestone coincides with deeper participation among the next generation of Blank family members on the board and in advisory capacities, partnering around their shared core beliefs, including the Jewish value of tikkun olam (“heal and repair the world”), and seeking a fuller realization of American ideals.

The foundation works across several different programmatic areas, including Youth Development, Democracy, Environment, Atlanta’s Westside, and Mental Health and Well Being. The foundation also manages a large portfolio of founder-led initiatives and associate-led giving committees that operate across the Blank Family of Businesses. Geographically, much of the foundation’s work prioritizes Georgia (with a focus on Atlanta) and Montana, while also considering the potential for greater national impact and influence. To complement and amplify the impact of these giving areas, the foundation has three central functions whose teams partner with programmatic colleagues. These functions include Communications, Effective Philanthropy and Finance and Grants Management.

Position Description Summary

The AMB West Challenge Course located on Mountain Sky Guest Ranch in Montana was developed in 2015 to serve the needs of the guest ranch and its surrounding community. Built by Project Adventure, the Challenge Course was designed to support independent exploration with a continuous belay aerial course, as well as experiential learning and teambuilding with 8 other high ropes elements and 4 low ropes elements. Our staff create experiences that cater to the needs of each group it serves. Whether it’s leadership teams from West Creek Ranch looking for connection, guests from Mountain Sky seeking adventure or local non-profits learning about teamwork, we move through the day with safety and fun as our top priorities.

AMB West Basecamp located two miles up the road from the Challenge Course provides space for non-profit partners to bring and carry out their own programming. The foundation’s Montana leadership team is looking for a Challenge Course and Basecamp Manager to support these efforts.

As a key member of the program management team the Challenge Course and Basecamp Manager will oversee operations and maintenance of the AMB West Challenge Course and Basecamp for Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, West Creek Ranch and AMB West Community Fund Partners.

Roles and Responsibilities

This role is responsible for implementation and supervision of all Challenge Course activities including facilities, staff and procedures. The Manager will ensure delivery of activities that are safe, fun, and appropriate to participants. This role will also assist in oversight of the Basecamp facilities, including coordination and managing of user groups, maintenance of grounds, resources and buildings, and communications. This is an in-person position that requires on-call, overnight shifts and will work virtually and at the Livingston based foundation office in the off-season. Housing is provided..

Specific roles and responsibilities include:

  • Ensure compliance of all local and national standard operating procedures, safety practices and policies for all aspects of the Challenge Course
  • Update oversee emergency response procedures, first aid & AED (automated external defibrillator)
  • Oversee equipment use, maintain accurate inventories, and resupply
  • Manage seasonal staff, including 1 assistant manager, 2 direct reports and coordinating with MSGR & West Creek Ranch on overlapping management responsibilities of 3-5 employees
  • Schedule staff in collaboration with Mountain Sky and West Creek Management
  • Provide orientation and training on Local Operating Procedures to course facilitators
  • Coordinate advanced and technical trainings with third-party contractors
  • Ensure facilitators are working within their expected level of competency provided through trainings
  • Incorporate training opportunities (beyond technical Challenge Course training) for facilitators that strengthen the guest experience and equip facilitators with tools to interact with diverse individuals (examples: ACEs (adverse childhood experiences), trauma-informed, social emotional learning approaches, etc.)
  • Perform day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining files and processing paperwork
  • Correspond with user groups pre and post experience
  • Collect and report on usage and feedback from groups to inform program needs
  • Monitor the facilities to ensure that they remain safe, secure, and well-maintained
  • Assist with the communications and marketing of the facilities
  • Participate in AMBFF staff meetings, retreats, and other staff engagements

Qualifications, Education and Experience Requirements

  • Course Manager or Level 2 certification from a Professional Vendor Member of the Association for Challenge Course Technology, or ability to obtain certification preferred
  • Documented Challenge Course experience, including training and supervising staff
  • CPR/First Aid/AED (minimum) Wilderness First Responder or EMT (Preferred)
  • Ability to travel to/from Challenge Course and Basecamp during the season (this is an in-person position) and work virtually and in the Livingston based foundation office in the off-season
  • Valid Driver’s License and current insurance
  • Desired experience with facilities maintenance, property management
  • Desired experience maintaining a budget

Required Skills

  • Service Oriented
  • Excellent leadership and facilitation skills required
  • Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences
  • Strong organizational skills and great attention to detail
  • Able to assess and diffuse difficult situations
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with other management staff, employees, the general public and a variety of leaders within the Blank Family of Businesses
  • Ability to work independently
  • Interest in working in a remote setting
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekdays, weekends, holidays and nights, in varying weather conditions
  • Proficient in Office 365 (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Docusign, Workday, Concur
  • Experience with Reservations technology: Airtable, Salesforce, other