The Adirondack Semester is a unique program of place-based environmental education, involving 3.5 months of residence and academic study at a base camp in the Adirondacks, two extended backcountry trips, and a variety of outdoor activities. The program situates students on the boundary between modern civilization and wild “nature” and encourages them to study and reflect on their relationship with each of these and on the choices, we must make to preserve natural processes. Faculty members commute to the site, an off-grid yurt village, to teach a full university semester, including cultural and natural history of the Adirondacks, philosophy of nature, land use, stewardship, and Adirondack writing. (See http://web.stlawu.edu/adksemester/.) This is a full-time, six-month appointment beginning July 7, 2025.  The salary is $5,033.82 per month.

The Assistant Director will work under the supervision of the Director and in collaboration with one other Assistant Director and will live on site 5 days and 4 nights per week. The two Assistant Directors share the following responsibilities.

Academics

• Teach a 1-credit “Ethical Leadership in the Adirondacks” course
• Help plan, coordinate and mentor students through the Capstone Internship, a 2-week experiential internship that takes place during the final weeks of the semester.
• Help to foster critical reflection on and discussion of the mission, goals and guiding principles of the program

Administration: (Communication, Logistics & Fiscal Responsibilities)

• Responsible for communication with faculty, staff, students, and parents
• Recommend and oversee annual purchase of new equipment and supplies
• Set up and oversee food purchasing including a CSA, grocery store accounts and orders through dining services
• Coordinate and help plan orientation, the semester schedule and weekly calendar
• Help students access resources such as medical care, mail, and technology

Oversight: (Risk Management, Facility & Community)

• Primary responsibility for updating and observing the best risk management practices
• Set up and maintain the program site including, yurts, buildings, solar array, composting toilet, and other infrastructure
• Facilitate and develop a living and learning community that is physically and emotionally safe for all to enjoy while participating in community activities such as cooking meals, chores, and community meetings

Trip Leader & Planner:

• Plan, organize, and lead two 5–7-day backcountry hiking and canoe expeditions
• Plan and lead weekend outdoor activities for students during semester
• Help to facilitate group culture and activities in the yurt village
• The Assistant Directors are expected to comfortably operate motor vehicles, including a 12-passenger van with a canoe trailer, on unmaintained roads. Assistant Directors are expected to provide their own transportation to and from work sites. Successful candidates will also be able to lift up to 50lbs and travel on foot up to 8 miles per day.

The anticipated start date for this six-month appointment will be July 7, 2025. This appointment may be renewable in successive years. Compensation package will include salary, health insurance, and rustic room and board on-site during the 3.5 months of the base camp residence and expeditions (August 18 – November 2, 2025).

Individuals who identify with groups historically underrepresented in the field of outdoor education are strongly encouraged to apply.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Wilderness First Responder and CPR
• Demonstrated experience as an outdoor educator and trip leader

Preferred Qualifications

• The ability to work independently and with a group, identify tasks and complete without significant oversight
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, team and community building skills
• A combination of administrative, teaching, outdoor leadership and backcountry experience.
• Ability to serve as a model for students, demonstrating a positive attitude, tolerance, patience, openness to new ideas and application of the program’s environmental ethic.
• A familiarity with and an appreciation for the role and mission of a small, private liberal arts institution
• Familiarity with canoes and boats and/or professional canoe instruction certifications (ACA)
• Basic handy person/carpentry skills

Interested applicants must apply online at https://employment.stlawu.edu/postings/4051 uploading all required materials which are defined in the “special instructions to applicant” section.  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position may be directed to Jacob McCoola, Director of Outdoor Studies & Adirondack Semester, jmccoola@stlawu.edu.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the finalist successfully passing a background (including criminal records) check.