Blue Sky Fund is a local Richmond non-profit based in Church Hill. Our mission is to provide transformational experiences for Richmond youth through outdoor education through two core program areas – academic and adventure.

The Academic Program Manager (APM) will be responsible for the planning and management of program logistics, curriculum, staff, and partners for our elementary program, Explorers. Under the supervision of the Programs Director, a successful APM will steward the relationships with the principals and teachers at our 12 Richmond Public School partner schools; hire, train, and evaluate program staff (17-22 people); and lead the development and execution of program curriculum.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Enhance and implement program goals and models for academic/school-based programming:

  • Provide students experiences in nature and the opportunity for outdoor exploration in a safe and nurturing environment.
  • Prepare program staff to teach a hands-on, experiential science curriculum that relates to elementary SOL standards with a focus on Science and Engineering Practices, enriches standard curriculum, and supports academic achievement.
  • Provide meaningful assistance to school educators by providing experiences that help them effectively teach science.
  • Evaluate and report on program goals both internally and externally.

• Direct and manage daily operations of Explorers Program, including:

  • Curriculum development and lesson-plan formation.
  • Schedule and coordinate transportation with third party vendors.
  • Site identification and reservation.
  • Manage program budget.

• Hire, train, and manage all staff, interns, and volunteers that support the Explorers program. Training subjects include:

  • Science content and pedagogy.
  • Placed based learning techniques.
  • Trauma-informed care.
  • Mindfulness and team-building activities.
  • General behavior management.

• Update Explorers Handbook as needed.

• Strengthen community and school relationships via regular communication, meetings, and program visit invitations.

• Research best practices in outdoor science and experiential education and incorporate them into program models.

• Perform other duties as assigned and as needed in the absence of other program staff.

Required Qualifications

• Passion and connection to Blue Sky Fund’s mission.
• Bachelor’s degree in education, science, environmental studies, or a related field.
• Two years of teaching or related professional experience in education, curriculum development, and working with youth from lower socioeconomic communities.
• Experience managing others in a professional setting.
• Experience in program planning and implementation.
• Clear and professional written and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, and the ability to multitask and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite (Gmail, Google Drive).
• Strong relationship building and interpersonal skills with the ability to work well with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Reliable transportation to access parks and green spaces in the Richmond metro area (mileage reimbursement available).
• Ability to participate in outdoor, physical activities during academic programs such as (but not limited to): hiking, lifting (up to 50 lbs.), playing games, and sports.