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Outdoor Program Director Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Conservation Corps

Senior Program Manager

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

  • PTO

New Initiatives Program Director Salary: $85,000 - $95,000 annual salary Schedule: Monday through ... to outdoor recreation, restore natural habitat, protect waterways, and respond to community needs ...

YMCA of the USA

Camp Lead - Hourly

Babbitt, MN · On-site

$17/hr

... high-quality outdoor experiences in the beautiful north woods. From greeting families and ... The Camp Host is responsible for assisting the Fall, Winter, Spring Program Director in preparing ...

YMCA

Camp Executive Director

Ely, MN · On-site

$88K - $105K/yr

Camp Executive Director | Camp du Nord | $88,000 - $105,000 | Full-Time At a Glance: Lead through ... outdoor education, teambuilding, preschool conference and retreat programs. Deliver relevant ...

New

YMCA of the USA

Camp Executive Director

Ely, MN · On-site

$88K - $105K/yr

... outdoor education, teambuilding, preschool conference and retreat programs. • Deliver relevant ... with the Program Directors, work with the marketing team to market experiences and review ...

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All JobsOutdoor Program JobsOutdoor Program Director JobsOutdoor Program Director Jobs in Minnesota

Outdoor Program Director information

See Minnesota salary details

$17K

$54.6K

$123.9K

How much do outdoor program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for outdoor program director in Minnesota is $54,628.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,893.00 and $57,325.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by an outdoor program director, and how can they be addressed?

Outdoor Program Directors often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather, risk management, and coordinating logistics for diverse groups. To address these, successful directors develop strong contingency plans, maintain up-to-date safety certifications, and foster clear communication with both staff and participants. Building a flexible, well-trained team and staying informed about best practices in outdoor education are also key strategies. These approaches help ensure programs run smoothly and safely, even when unexpected situations arise.

What is the difference between Outdoor Program Director vs Outdoor Education Coordinator?

AspectOutdoor Program DirectorOutdoor Education Coordinator
CertificationsWilderness First Responder, CPR, relevant outdoor certificationsWilderness First Responder, CPR, outdoor education certifications
Work EnvironmentLeading outdoor programs, managing staff, overseeing activitiesPlanning and delivering outdoor educational programs, supporting participants
Employer & IndustryRecreational organizations, camps, outdoor adventure companiesSchools, educational nonprofits, outdoor learning centers

The Outdoor Program Director typically manages outdoor activities and staff, focusing on program logistics and safety. The Outdoor Education Coordinator concentrates on delivering educational content and supporting participants' learning experiences. Both roles require outdoor certifications and work in outdoor or educational settings, but their primary responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an outdoor program director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Outdoor Program Director, you need strong leadership, program management, and risk assessment skills, typically supported by a degree in recreation, outdoor education, or a related field. Proficiency with safety protocols, outdoor activity equipment, and certifications such as Wilderness First Aid or CPR is commonly required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for engaging participants and managing diverse teams. These skills ensure safe, impactful, and successful outdoor experiences while effectively handling the dynamic nature of outdoor programming.

What does an outdoor program director do?

An Outdoor Program Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing outdoor recreation programs and activities, such as camps, adventure trips, and educational workshops. They manage staff, ensure safety protocols are followed, and develop engaging programs to meet participant needs. Additionally, they often handle budgeting, marketing, and partnership-building to grow their programs and reach more participants.

What are the most commonly searched types of Outdoor Program jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Outdoor Program jobs in Minnesota are:

What are popular job titles related to Outdoor Program Director jobs in Minnesota?

For Outdoor Program Director jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Outdoor Program Director jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Outdoor Program Director jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Outdoor Program Director jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Outdoor Program Director job openings:

Outdoor Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Outdoor Program Director job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 56% Full Time, 38% Part Time, and 6% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $54,628 per year, or $26.3 per hour.

Senior Program Manager

Conservation Corps

Saint Paul, MN • On-site

$85K - $95K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Position:
Senior Program Manager
Program:
Youth Programs
Location:
St. Paul, MN
Date Posted:
August 6, 2026
Reports To:
New Initiatives Program Director
Salary:
$85,000 - $95,000 annual salary
Schedule:
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (typical) - two days required in office, and physical attendance as necessary during peak programming season. Some evenings, weekends, and overnight travel are required.
Benefits:
Health and dental insurance, paid time off, 401(k) Safe Harbor retirement saving plan
Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa (CCMI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and AmeriCorps grantee that engages hundreds of youth and young adults each year in programs and initiatives that improve access to outdoor recreation, restore natural habitat, protect waterways, and respond to community needs and natural disasters. Our mission is to cultivate a community of emerging leaders in service to people and the planet. Learn more at conservationcorps.org.
Position Summary: The Senior Program Manager for Youth Programs manages all aspects of youth programming throughout Minnesota and Iowa, including residential and community-based programs. Responsibilities encompass staffing, project management, outreach to AmeriCorps members and youth, developing partnerships, strategy, planning, budgeting, scheduling, and managing daily departmental operations. The workload is split between managing youth programs, supporting AmeriCorps member development, managing outdoor projects, and supporting internal CCMI initiatives.
Relationships: This position supervises and delegates responsibilities to the Youth Program Managers and their assigned staff, and reports directly to the New Initiatives Program Director.
Key Responsibilities:
Administration
  • In tandem with the Program Director, develop strategy and vision for youth programming.
  • Administrate or delegate and supervise multi-site program operations ensuring that all personnel and activities comply with current CCMI policies and procedures and ensure that all required administrative requirements are completed on time.
  • Lead the collaborative development and management of programming and program budget.
  • In collaboration with development team, take an active role in seeking additional funding, setting up schedules, timelines, and systems for reporting.
  • Oversee program facilities, equipment, and fleet inventory management.
  • Contribute to and complete program reports for boards and grants.
  • Support staff in Minnesota and Iowa Youth Programs.

Project & Partnership Management
  • Solicit, negotiate, and manage new and existing projects and partnerships.
  • Analyze situations and take appropriate effective action, including problem-solving, conflict resolution, and disciplinary measures.
  • Ensure regular, effective communication to, from, and among staff, youth, families, partners, members, and CCMI staff.

Evaluation and Continuous Improvement
  • Lead the collaborative development and implementation of a Youth Programming logic model.
  • Monitor effectiveness of logic model in service to overall organizational strategic plan.
  • Implement dynamic interventions within program design.
  • Work with existing systems to collect and track program activities.

Supporting CCMI Initiatives
  • Support CCMI Strategic Plan and Development Strategy.
  • Participate in organization-wide committees and/or workgroups.
  • Enforce and embody the commitment to a culture of safety at CCMI.
  • Support and uphold CCMI values.
  • Support professional development and community education engagements
  • Attend orientation, mid-year, end-of-year events, and/or other program trainings.
  • Work collaboratively with other departments to develop programming and support existing initiatives.

Qualifications
Required Skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication.
  • At least 6 years of progressive leadership in youth programming.
  • Proven progressive record of accomplishment and success in youth programming.
  • Familiarity with and/or willingness to learn AmeriCorps standards, processes, and policies.
  • Management and training experience.
  • Experience in community outreach and engagement or recruiting.

Preferred Skills
  • At least 8 years of progressive leadership in youth programming.
  • Experience with budget oversight and fiscal management of complex or large initiatives.
  • Experience in public participation or experiential education.
  • Strong knowledge of AmeriCorps standards, processes, and policies.

Other Information:
Some evening and weekend work, as well as overnight travel, will be required in Minnesota and Iowa to support youth program staff, attend program trainings, meet with partners, and attend CCMI events.
While this position description describes the general nature and level of work being performed, it is not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. All positions at CCMI may require duties outside of typical responsibilities.
CCMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions with CCMI will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. CCMI does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, military service, union membership, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status with regard to public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

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