Description

Overview

Access Fund is the nonprofit advocacy organization that leads and inspires the climbing community toward sustainable access and conservation of the climbing environment. Founded in 1991, Access Fund represents millions of climbers nationwide in its work to protect and conserve the land, fight for sustainable access, and build a community of inspired advocates. We execute on that mission across six core program areas: Public Lands Policy & Advocacy, Stewardship & Conservation, Land Acquisition & Protection, Grassroots Organizing & Advocacy, Risk Management & Landowner Support, and Climber Education.

Access Fund is seeking a passionate and organized Education Coordinator to support and expand our national climbing stewardship and education initiatives. Reporting to the Stewardship & Education Director, the Education Coordinator will play a critical role in supporting educational programming and development, training seasonal field staff, and advancing climber stewardship nationwide.

This position serves as the primary coordinator for Access Fund's Climber Stewards Program, helping ensure that climbers have the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to minimize recreation impacts, exercise low impact climbing practices, and protect the climbing environments they love. The Education Coordinator will also support the development of resources and training materials to support Access Fund programs, Local Climbing Organizations (LCOs), climbing gyms, and other community partners in grassroots efforts nationwide.

The ideal candidate combines strong program management and outdoor education skills with a passion for climbing, environmental stewardship, education, and community engagement. They also have a desire for travel to some of the most visited climbing areas in the country, including but not limited to, Indian Creek, UT; Red River Gorge, KY; New River Gorge, WV; Red Rock, NV; Leavenworth/Mazama, WA; and Joshua Tree, CA. The successful candidate could be living on the road or in a city within close proximity to a major airport.

Job Responsibilities

The candidate who will thrive in this role is an experienced, data-driven performance marketer who is growth-focused, not afraid to take risks, and who excels in a fast-paced environment. The right candidate is willing to roll up their sleeves and will be entrusted with the following key responsibilities:

Climber Stewards Program Coordination

• Support implementation and administration of Access Fund's Climber Stewards programs across multiple climbing destinations nationwide.
• Coordinate recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, and support for approximately 14 seasonal Climber Stewards annually.
• Assist with logistics, scheduling, travel coordination, equipment management, and partner communications for multiple seasonal programs.
• Develop and maintain educational curriculum, including:
  • Weekly stewardship themes
  • Lesson plans
  • Outreach activities
  • Educational events
  • Training resources
• Create, update, and manage Climber Stewards manuals, operating procedures, and work flow.
• Lead the continued development of a comprehensive steward training program that incorporates:
  • Place-based environmental education
  • Outreach and interpretation skills
  • Behavioral science principles
  • Stewardship best practices
  • Climbing-area management issues
• Conduct site visits to support program launches, steward training, and partner engagement. 

Climber Education & Community Outreach 

• Collaborate with Programs, Marketing & Communications staff to create engaging educational materials for climbers nationally.
• Develop or update resources to educate climbers about best practices for recreating responsibly that ensure sustainable climbing access and conservation of the climbing environment. Subject matter will span the breadth of Access Fund’s mission-related work and can range from raptor protection to landowner liability, sustainable climbing activities and management guidelines to cultural resource protection. Resources may include:
  • Infographics
  • Digital content
  • Social media resources
  • Brochures
  • Manuals
  • Educational campaigns
  • Gym-to-crag education materials
• Build relationships with land managers, climbing gyms, guide services, outdoor retailers, university programs, clubs, affinity groups, and other community partners to share educational content and resources.
• Help expand Access Fund's ability to reach climbers where they learn, train, and recreate.

Local Climbing Organization Education & Support 

• Support development and delivery of educational resources for Local Climbing Organizations.
• Assist with webinars, workshops, conference sessions, and stewardship training.
• Collaborate with Regional Directors and the National Affiliate Program to distribute stewardship and education resources.
• Help coordinate regional stewardship and education workshops that strengthen local conservation capacity.

Requirements

Qualifications

Your experience may refer to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, which helps build the competencies, knowledge, and skills that translate directly to this opening. We encourage all interested applicants to apply, regardless of meeting all of the preferred qualifications. Tell us how you can contribute to our team in a cover letter. 

Skills and Experience We’re Looking For

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in outdoor education, environmental education, recreation management, conservation, natural resources, communications, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating programs, events, educational initiatives, or volunteer programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience creating educational materials, curriculum, training content, or outreach resources.
• Background in environmental interpretation, place-based education, or behavioral science.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.
• Proficiency with Google-suite and cloud-based collaboration tools.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently throughout the United States.
• Familiarity with climbing culture, outdoor recreation communities, conservation, natural and cultural resource management, and public lands. 

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience working in the climbing industry, with a strong preference related to access, stewardship, conservation, recreation management, or outdoor nonprofit organizations.
• Experience training, mentoring, and supervising seasonal staff, volunteers, or interns.
• Knowledge of public land management agencies and recreation management issues.
• Experience facilitating training classes, workshops, or public presentations.
• Graphic design, social media, or content development experience.
• Current Leave No Trace Level 1 or 2 Educator & Wilderness First Aid certifications.
• Familiarity and experience with trail and conservation projects, including graffiti, trash, and invasive species removal; vegetation loss and erosion mitigation; and recreation monitoring and assessment. 

Location and Travel 

This position requires frequent travel to remote field locations. The Education Coordinator will be expected to travel 2-4 times per quarter, roughly 8-10 trips annually, to remote climbing locations across the country. 

The ideal candidate is set up to live or spend extended periods of time on the road while staying connected to colleagues and partners remotely. This position is perfect for a van-lifer that knows how to manage their time effectively between travel, in-person meetings, and program deliverables, or a climbing trip aficionado who works remotely in between trips and lives close to a major airport. Ideal home base locations include all major climbing hubs throughout the U.S.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range

• $52,000–$62,000 annually, depending on experience and location. 

Benefits

• Generous time off, including paid holidays, 3 weeks of vacation (accrual increases throughout staff’s tenure), sick time, and flex time for nights and weekends worked.
• Medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance packages.
• 403(b) retirement participation, with a 3% match after one year of employment.
• Professional Development opportunities.
• Flexible schedules are available to our employees.
• Access to industry pro deals.
• Climbing gym discounts, depending on location.