Challenge Course Manager

Help create adventure, build confidence, and inspire connection at Camp Burgess & Hayward. The Challenge Course Manager oversees the operations, safety, and programming of our high ropes course, two ziplines, two climbing towers, two low ropes courses, and two archery ranges. By training and supporting seasonal staff, this person helps deliver safe, engaging experiences for campers and participants throughout the summer and during our active spring and fall seasons.

When the challenge courses are not in use, the Challenge Course Manager works alongside the Maintenance and Facilities team to keep Camp’s grounds and facilities welcoming and ready for the next adventure. From general upkeep to site improvement projects, this hands-on role offers a mix of outdoor leadership and practical facilities work, with approximately 70% of responsibilities focused on the Challenge Course and 30% on Maintenance.

This is a full-time, year-round position with on-site housing provided.

Core Expectations

Program Management & Development

• Oversees the safe operation of the challenge course, climbing walls, low ropes, and archery.
• Maintains records of staff trainings and required licensure.

Staff Engagement & Development

• Trains, evaluates, and supervises the seasonal Challenge Course staff with respect to their programming responsibilities, including intensive high ropes training for staff.
• Trains summer camp staff in belaying, archery and low ropes.
• Encourages and fosters teamwork and commitment towards achieving goals.

Facility Management

• Challenge Course: Ensures necessary repairs occur to maintain safe program areas, including annual repairs and inspections of all Challenge Course areas.
• Maintenance: Assists in general facilities tasks across Camp’s 300 acres and 50+ buildings, under the direction of the Facilities Director. Tasks may include cleaning, landscaping, basic construction, and more. This person must be willing to take on a variety and tasks and learn new facilities skills as needed.

Community Involvement & Support

• Works collaboratively with the full-time staff team to meet the objectives of the branch as a whole.

• Assists in other areas of Camp Burgess & Hayward operations as needed.

• Assists in YMCA fundraising activities/events, and engages in collaborative relationships with community organizations to strengthen support and build community.

• Challenge course experience preferred, with additional training provided

  • Level II or Challenge Course Manager certification, or willingness to obtain

• Archery Level I certification, or willingness to obtain

• At least 21 years of age

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to develop positive, effective working relationships with staff and other agencies.

• Effective coaching and teaching skills.

• Ability to effectively lead groups of children and of staff, facilitate discussion and guide staff development.

• Experience in some areas of facilities management is preferred but not required. Examples include:

  • Carpentry
  • Construction
  • Landscaping
  • Painting

• Willingness to work hard and learn new skills, especially in regard to maintenance and facilities tasks.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Physical Demands

• Able to climb stairs, bend, stoop, kneel, twist, reach with hands, sit, stand for an extended period of time, walk, lift and/or move up to 40 pounds, have finger dexterity, grasp, perform repetitive motions, talk, hear and have visual acuity.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, talk, hear and walk over grounds that are uneven, not paved. The employee must be able to work in an outdoor environment in the rain and other inclement weather.
• Physically able to facilitate challenge course programming, training, and rescues