Organisational Environment

For more than 100 years, Scouting has enabled young people to participate in outdoor adventure activities and push personal boundaries, developing their resilience, confidence, and leadership capabilities. Scouting is shaping the future by giving young people the opportunities and the support to thrive and be heard.

The Baden Powell Activity Centre is an Outdoor Education (OE) and recreation facility providing schools and community groups with high quality OE programs and services specialising in outdoor and expedition-based activities.

Situated on 36 hectares adjoining Lane Cove National Park, the Baden-Powell Activity Centre offers flexible training facilities, adventurous activities, and cabin-style accommodation in a tranquil bush land setting only 25 kilometres from Sydney CBD.

Purpose of the Position

The Program Manager is fundamental in the contribution between operational requirements and strategic planning, working in collaboration with the existing Baden-Powell Team to deliver high-quality programming, customer engagement and training. 

This position leverages the Activity Centre’s unique location to build capability to ensure the site can reach its full potential within the outdoor education market. With tangible goals and the full backing of Scouts NSW, the Program Manager will be integral to achieving results within NSW’s outdoor education framework. 

Success will be realised through (but not limited to) delivering exceptional educational camp programming and delivery coupled with exploring training opportunities, both in house for Scouts NSW and externally. Ongoing and continual improvement through this position will be crucial to adapting to market needs and organisational priories. 

Responsibilities & Duties

Day to Day Operations

• Work collaboratively with Centre Manager to ensure all existing bookings are appropriately resourced. 
• Ensure all camps are resourced with necessary equipment and all equipment is of a safe and working standard.
• Coordinate and oversee all group activity programs, training-based programs, and journey-based experiences from enquiry to completion. 
• Continually liaise with Centre Manager for bookings and their subsequent coordination. 
• Commit to driving excellence of the Activity Centre educational offering with customer satisfaction at the forefront of everything it does. 

Customer Experience

• Work with colleagues to provide the absolute best experience for all clients to deliver fun and educational outcomes to the best of their ability. 
• Provide an activities and training experience, which meets the needs and high expectations of our visitors and guests, and to ensure compliance with industry policies, standards, and procedures. 
• Establish, maintain, and develop collaborative relationships with Scouts NSW stakeholders, and partners with these groups to deliver exceptional experiences for the organisation. 

Business & Program Development

• Ensure Activity Standard Operation Procedures (SOP’s) are read and signed off as read and understood.
• Check and collect Liability Release Forms from all participants from Groups that are participating in activities (this is not required for Scout Member Groups).
• Continually develops and creates new programming that is suitable and desirable for the educational and commercial market. 
• Develop outdoor education programming that is contemporary and responsive to client needs. 
• Stay up to date with industry knowledge and current curriculum developments and changes to provide the best linkages in the educational sector. 
• Continually train and provide professional development with facilitation employees to ensure quality control and best practice delivery. 

Team Leadership

• Lead by example ensuring all programs are delivered at a high standard and all back up work is completed seamlessly. 
• Frequently collaborates with colleagues to develop new opportunities and programs to better the activity centres offering. 
• Monitor, review, and provide regular feedback to Activity Instructors about their performance and effectiveness.
• Identify staffing needs and develop teams of Casual Activity Instructors to facilitate programs.
• Train and induct Activity Instructors per the operating procedures for activities they run.
• Manage expenditure on activities consumables to budget.
• Set Activity Instructor rosters in accordance with the staff ratios developed for each program.
• Lead and coordinate Baden Powell Activity Centre programmes and employees including: 
  • establishing a strong team culture.
  • overseeing and advising on the methods and processes used to deliver services and prioritising requests for assistance from the site employees.
  • overseeing and advising the Activity Instructors on their key work areas.
  • advise and assist Activity Instructors with customer service problems; resolve complex or escalated customer issues or difficulties.
• Ensure quality and timely provision of administration services and effective communication to internal and external customers to agreed performance standards.

Health & Safety

• Work with the Executive Manager Compliance & Risk to ensure all Activities Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) and Risk Assessments are up to date and reflect current approved practises.
• Manage risks and ensure compliance with Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) to the highest standards. 
• Maintain qualification register of all employees and ensure employees are rostered appropriately toward their qualifications, skillset, and task. 
• Ensure that all visiting groups are appropriately inducted and made aware of all aspects of site safety including hazards, property boundaries, and emergency procedures (including bushfire). 
• Maintain accreditation and compliance with relevant industry codes and qualifications. 
• Understand all Scouts NSW policies and procedures and always demonstrate these standards towards all employees and visitors. 
• Ensure all employees and volunteers in work areas under your control are familiar with, and applying, the requirements of Scouts NSW’s WHS Policy and Procedures. 
• Actively identify, control and monitor health and safety hazards and risks in your area of responsibility. 
• Establish and maintain an environment in which work health and safety issues or changes affecting health and safety are openly discussed and, where necessary, recorded. 
• Ensure all employees and volunteers under your management have the necessary training, licences, and competencies to safely perform their required tasks and duties. 

Key Capabilities & Requirements

Qualification, Training & Experience

• Certificate IV or higher in Outdoor Education or related discipline, or appropriate industry experience.
• Certificate of competency in higher elements challenges course.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working in Outdoor Education / Outdoor Recreation industry.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working in a supervisory or leadership position.
• Experience in Scouting Leadership (desirable).
• Experience in outdoor adventure activities facilitation or evaluation of services.
• Experience in Event Management (desirable).
• Computer literacy and ability to navigate and use the Microsoft Office suite including word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software and applications.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• High level interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; ability to liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders; ability to relate to employees and Members at all levels within the Association.
• A team player with strong team building, motivational and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated initiative, tact, and maturity.
• Ability to make accurate and detailed analysis of the business environment and plan accordingly.
• Highly organised with the ability to multitask and meet strict deadlines. 
• Excellent time management and ability to plan.
• Thorough, with excellent attention to detail.
• Able to work independently, autonomously and with limited supervision.
• Commitment to always upholding confidentiality.

Essential Requirements

• Right to work in Australia
• Current National Police Check
• Current Working with Children Check
• Mandatory Training
• First Aid Certificate
• CRP Certificate

Clearances

Scouts NSW is committed to being a 'Child-Safe' organisation and expects our Employed Team to agree to our Youth Protection Policy and Procedure, Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct. Appropriate reference and background checking will be undertaken, including a Working with Children Check and National Police Check. We are committed to the safety and empowerment of all children.

Team Support

Scouts NSW fosters a positive and collaborative culture, where teamwork and mutual support are at the forefront of everything we do. We believe in empowering employees to work together towards common goals, ensuring both personal and professional growth.

Scouts NSW values equitable recruitment practices and strive to provide an experience that’s fair, inclusive, and accessible. We celebrate our diversity and welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, faith, age, ability, culture, language, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We encourage all suitable applicants to apply for this position.

If you are proactive, results-oriented with a passion for making a positive impact, we want to hear from you!

Please note that only people with the right to work in Australia should apply for this position.

HOW TO APPLY:

All applications are held in the strictest confidence and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

To apply, please provide your resume and cover letter outlining your relevant skills and experience.