West Creek Ranch

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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

 

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POSTION DESCRIPTION

This position will assist in the operation of Challenge Course and Basecamp for AMB West Philanthropies, West Creek Ranch and Mountain Sky Guest Ranch. The primary role is facilitation of Challenge Course activities. Operations Coordinator will plan and deliver adventure activities that are safe, fun, and appropriate to participants of all ages and abilities. He or she will also support the property management at Basecamp facilities use which includes the orientation and oversight of user groups along with the general maintenance of grounds and buildings. (Note: If skill set of applicant is appropriate, oversite of basecamp may become primary responsibility.)

Must have good communication skills, be a positive team player with an aptitude for managing risk. Must display sound judgment and ability to work under pressure.

Schedule is full time up to 50 hours/week, with varying work weeks starting at the end of April through October. Weekend and overnight availability up to 3 nights per week to be on call is necessary with long days expected especially throughout June, July and August. Housing and shift meals are available. This position reports to Challenge Course/Basecamp Manager and has a close working relationship with the management teams from West Creek Ranch Mountain Sky and Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Follow standard and local operating procedures for all aspects of the challenge course

· Provide peer mentorship for advancing Challenge Course facilitators (Depending on experience)

· Know and follow emergency response procedures with the ability to lead response in an emergency situation

· Assist in oversight of equipment use, maintain accurate inventories, and resupply

· Inspection, maintenance and upkeep of the challenge course, grounds, equipment and facilities

· Identify and report potential risks/ hazards related to the operation

· Ensure first aid equipment is available and in good repair

· Assist in the set-up and implementation of other activities as assigned (including new self-guided orienteering course)

· Assist in maintenance and oversight of basecamp property grounds and buildings

· Provide oversite of maintenance or landscaping with peers

· Assist with realignment and re-tasking of Basecamp facilities to best meet nonprofit use

· Maintain oversight with Basecamp user groups while they are on-site ensuring a high-quality experience

· Host site visits for potential users and assist with identification of new users

· Work with other staff to create a safe, fun and enjoyable workplace

QUALIFICATIONS

· Excellent leadership and facilitation skills required

· Ability to design curriculum to specific groups needs

· Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences

· Prior challenge course facilitation experience required

· Level 1 or 2 challenge course practitioner preferred (training maybe provided by MSGR and AMBFO)

· Current certifications in First Aid and CPR, WFR or WFA preferred

· 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, volunteers and the general public

· Ability to work effectively under pressure to deliver results in a fast-paced environment

· Be in excellent physical health and able ability to handle physical aspects of operating equipment, conducting safety rescues, assisting participants

· Experience working with youth

· Experience working with executive leadership teams

· Comfortable using computer including Microsoft Office applications and Internet

· Comfortable using general office equipment including computers, phones, printers, etc.

· Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekdays, weekends, holidays and nights

· Subject to criminal and motor vehicle background check

· Ability to work outdoors, in variable weather conditions

· Ability to stand, sit, walk, lift heavy equipment, etc. up to 8 hours/shift

· Is willing to work a schedule that is flexible and may require significant work early or late in the day, including being on-site and available to clients up to 3 nights/week.

Education Requirements

· Minimum 100 days facilitation experience

· Minimum 7 training days on high and/ low elements, technical skills, or facilitation

· High school diploma or equivalent

· Handyman, property management experience preferred

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Overview

Arthur Blank, chairman of the Blank Family Foundation and owner of Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, Paradise Valley Ranch and The Ranch at Dome Mountain near Emigrant, Montana, opened West Creek Ranch in 2018 as a unique convening space for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. At West Creek, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation provides nonprofit partners with an opportunity to connect, renew and inspire while exploring crucial issues that are aligned with the foundation’s priorities.    

Located in Montana’s Paradise Valley, about 25 miles north of Yellowstone National Park, the 6,700-acre West Creek Ranch features spectacular scenery one mile above sea level. West Creek is a one-of-a-kind facility featuring comfortable meeting spaces and rooms, wi-fi and gourmet dining combined with unplugged high-country activities. West Creek offers 5-star service and amenities to ensure that every guest’s needs are met as they embark on a powerful personal and professional experience at the ranch.

West Creek is in big sky country, and we provide partners with an opportunity to engage in big sky thinking. The combination of extraordinary scenery, guided adventure and intentional reflection provide a unique transformational environment for leadership development, innovation labs, strategic planning, executive education, hands-on workshops, and discussion or planning about how to influence the issues that occupy our country and communities. 

The West Creek experience is rooted in Arthur Blank’s personal recognition that extended immersion in the world’s most inspiring spaces fosters learning, creativity and self-renewal. We call our approach the 50/50 model to signify that our guests spend half their time inside working on important issues, and half their time outside exploring their ideas through experiences in nature that support their goals. Each year the Blank Family Foundation identifies select organizations to host gatherings that convene colleagues, peer organizations or coalition partners to capitalize on this model and advance the public good.

West Creek Ranch seeks a Guest Experience Coordinator to support the 50% of the time our guests spend in Ranch experiences – horseback riding, hiking, yoga, fly fishing, etc. – and facilitating the connection between those experiences and the goals of the group each week. Deepening relationships and teamwork, creating a risk-taking culture, generating 100 new ideas to solve a sticky problem, bringing thought leaders together to strategize about complex issues and much more — West Creek has the experiences and activities to enrich each group’s goals with deeper meaning and we are looking for a Guest Experience Coordinator to ensure that the 50% of the time each group spends in Ranch experiences is as meaningful as the 50% of time spent indoors in meetings.   

We believe that when Ranch experiences are combined with daily intentions and opportunities for reflection that positive change and impact occur. The GEC will facilitate the onsite planning of daily activities for each group so that intention and reflection are at the core of the experiences and so that problem solving, team development, self-discovery, collaboration and communication are rooted in the guest experiences.

 

Position Summary

The ideal candidate for West Creek Ranch’s Guest Experience Coordinator (GEC) position will live our core values of Putting people first, our associates, and our guests. Leads by example as a quality leader. Includes everyone in day-to-day activities and tasks. Innovates continually, providing new ideas and implementing them when it benefits the associates and guests. Listens and responds to associates and guests to the best of their ability.  Gives back to others by incorporating all other values daily.  

The Guest Experience Coordinator (GEC) reports to the Ranch General Manager and will be responsible for leading guest activities, specifically hiking, challenge course, reflective horse sessions, fly fishing, golfing, archery, and any other activities scheduled. The GEC also works with fellow team members who lead guest activities to ensure they understand the purpose of daily intentions and are skilled at leading guest reflection opportunities. The GEC will be a rare combination of technical experience and skill who can uphold the planning logistics and safety requirements of activities on the Ranch, while also embodying the social-emotional awareness and interpersonal skills required to effectively lead groups through often challenging personal growth experiences. The GEC will mentor and train fellow Ranch associates to ensure they have the knowledge and ability to support guests on their Ranch journey by skillfully facilitating reflection sessions and bridging indoor and outdoor experiences.

As a core member of the team, the GEC will also respond to the needs of guest services and fill-in on the Ranch where needed. This could be as a support to housekeeping, dining, dishwashing, transportation, and other duties as needed. This position is seasonal and will work from May 1st through mid-October, with a possible extension into November.

 

Core Responsibilities

• Collaborate to design and implement experiences that are tailored to the particular guest group and that model the 50/50 approach
• Lead guest experiences and activities including hiking, challenge course, reflective horse sessions, fly fishing, golfing, archery, and any other activities scheduled, modeling the daily intention and reflection process for peers
• Train fellow associates on facilitation so that they are skilled in the reflection process and comfortable working with groups on their intentions
• Manage group dynamics and facilitate group processes, communicating any information to key Ranch and Foundation colleagues that might impact the success of the group during their week
• Mentor Ranch associates in managing group dynamics and facilitating group processes
• Committed to actively building a community where all guests and fellow team members feel a sense of belonging and safety
• Assist in identifying, assessing and managing environmental, physical, social and emotional risk during course activities
• Adhere to operating procedures, safety policies and emergency procedures as outlined by the Ranch
• Maintain big-picture vision and keep safety in mind during all group processes
• Guest services support as needed with a view toward supporting the team and ensuring an exceptional guest experience

 

Qualifications and Education Requirements               

• Previous experience working for Outward Bound
• Demonstrated competency in group facilitation and team building
• Demonstrated ability to teach or train processes to colleagues
• Demonstrated competency in outdoor experiences and activity logistics
• Demonstrated ability to assess the abilities of a group and use that information to mitigate risks and ensure positive experiences for the group
• Previous experience leading a team
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with groups across all ages, backgrounds and abilities
• Personal initiative and resourcefulness, adaptable and positive even in challenging situations with strong ability to problem solve
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Strong social perceptiveness and active listening and learning skills, ability to hear what others are saying and to take the time to understand what isn’t being said
• Time availability in May to arrive for Challenge Course training on site
• First Aid and CPR training

 

Preferred Skills

• Wilderness First Responder certification, or more
• Knowledge of Microsoft office

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