Wilderness Inquiry's mission is to connect people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and abilities through shared outdoor adventures so that all people can equitably experience the benefits of time spent in nature. At Wilderness Inquiry, we believe that everyone belongs . We work to ensure this belief holds true in our workplace, in our community, and in the outdoors. We pursue this through our mission and shared values of paddling together, nurturing inclusion, seeking the exceptional, and finding a way. The Military Families Outdoors (MFO) partnership, launched in 2023 as a collaboration between Wilderness Inquiry and Blue Star Families, supports the health and wellbeing of military families through outdoor recreation and adventure opportunities that serve more than 15,000 people annually. Wilderness Inquiry is hiring three Program Expansion Coordinators to support the coordination and growth of the Military Families Outdoors program within Wilderness Inquiry. Position Summary & Dimensions Summary The Program Expansion Coordinator, Military Families role supports the overall operations and coordination of the military family program arm of Wilderness Inquiry. This position will work collaboratively within the organization to design, refine, and standardize high-impact, family-focused outdoor programming that supports safety, connection, belonging, and health and wellness outcomes for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. The ideal candidate blends thoughtful planning, outreach, and coordination with a deep understanding of the unique strengths and challenges facing military families, ensuring all offerings are accessible, sustainable, and delivered to the highest standard. Wilderness Inquiry is hiring three Program Expansion Coordinators to support and advance the development, implementation, and growth of the Military Families Outdoors partnership and program within Wilderness Inquiry. These roles will work in tandem-each placed in a different team within Wilderness Inquiry-to coordinate programming in service to military families in 2027. This job description is designed to capture the essential elements that align across all three coordinator positions. Each role may also have individualized responsibilities specific to their team. We are collecting one pool of applications and will discuss the opportunities for focus and fit among these 3 roles as part of the interview process. This is a one-year termed, grant-funded position, with the potential for renewal depending on secured funding and job performance.

Dimensions Working Title:

Program Expansion Coordinator, Military Families Position Classification:

Coordinator Employment Conditions:

Exempt Time Conditions:

Jan 2027 - Dec 2027. One-year termed position.

Department/Section:

Strategy & Programs Wage/Salary:

$55,000 - $65,000

Reports To:

Senior Manager Supervisory Responsibilities:

None Application Deadline Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until November 8, 2026. Position Focus Areas Three coordinator positions will support the Military Families Outdoors program, but will specialize in the following areas. Candidates will be considered for all three roles, unless you specify a specific area of interest in your cover letter. Day & Canoemobile Programs - primarily focuses on single-day outdoor programs for youth and families, and engagement with military-connected school networks and military family readiness programs nationally. Overnight Camping Adventures - primarily focuses on multi-day extended overnight programs, logistics and itinerary development, and engagement with individual military families. National Infrastructure and Partnerships - primarily focuses on outreach and supporting expansion of Military Families Outdoors into new communities. Essential Roles and Responsibilities Responsibility 1: Program Coordination & Expansion (40% FTE) Tasks Strengthen and support the growth of the Military Families Outdoors program to deliver high-impact outdoor experiences and outcomes for military families and youth, while aligning programming with Wilderness Inquiry's mission and values, safety standards, quality, and fiscal goals. Support the end-to-end logistics planning of day and/or overnight camping adventures specifically tailored for military families and youth. Continually evaluate trip itineraries, routes, gear, menu planning, educational content, and logistics—incorporating feedback from staff and participants to elevate safety, experience, and program goals. Develop, refine, and maintain culturally competent program outreach materials, educational resources, and curricula that speak directly to military connected communities that: enrich outdoor experiences for military families and youth, build confidence through peer-to-peer connection and hands-on learning, and strengthen multigenerational family relationships and community. In partnership with the Training Team, inform training modules for seasonal trail staff focused on: Building cultural competence of the unique lifestyles of military families. Effectively facilitating inclusive outdoor programs to a group of military families. Assist with Military Families Outdoors program evaluation efforts. Collaborate with project stakeholders for the Military Families Outdoors agreement to ensure all trip related milestones, performance metrics, and deliverables for the 2027 work plan are successfully achieved. Responsibility 2: Outreach and Community Engagement (25%) Tasks Research and map priority communities with high concentrations of military families situated near existing Wilderness Inquiry itineraries and program locations to establish pathways to Military Families Outdoors program offerings and family-focused outdoor recreation. Coordinate outreach and recruitment to local and national military-connected networks and schools (e.g., Family Readiness Groups, Purple Star Schools, Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Schools, military spouse networks, military installations, and/or Veterans Service Organizations) to establish initial contact and introduce Wilderness Inquiry offerings. Develop communications materials for outreach and recruitment in partnership with the Marketing and Communications department. Track outreach leads, partner contact information, and engagement history within the organization's database to ensure seamless follow-up and relationship continuity. Responsibility 3: Partnership & Account Management (15% FTE) Tasks Serve as the primary contact for military-connected organizational and individual accounts, ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of Wilderness Inquiry's trip offerings and revenue goals in order to recommend trip options that are aligned with a group's unique goals, abilities, and budgets. Create and manage service agreements, issue invoices, and track account logistics in the organization's database to meet mission impact and program budget targets. Responsibility 4: Trip Directing (20% FTE) Tasks Act as Trip Director for assigned itineraries and events, independently following standard operating procedures, best practices, and policies. Manage all pre- and post-trip responsibilities for assigned events and demonstrate effective and timely communication with Outdoor Leaders, participants, and/or contract group organizers to ensure a high quality and safe trip experience. Assess participant and group trip goals, abilities, and backgrounds in order to identify activities and create trip schedules that meet the unique needs of the group. Provide exceptional customer service to group organizers and Wilderness Inquiry contractees to foster positive relationships and ongoing engagement. Support annual itinerary review process and provide ongoing updates to itineraries based on evaluation data from participants, staff, and contract contacts. Coordinate and communicate with public lands agencies and service providers to ensure program sites are adequate and safe, as applicable. Occasionally support Wilderness Inquiry programs in the field. Maintain availability during and outside of regular office hours for trip support, communications, and emergencies that may occur on assigned trips. Provide guidance to seasonal Outdoor Leaders as a staff mentor to promote a welcoming environment and represent a positive point of contact for leaders to share feedback. Responsibility 5: Embrace Values, Community Agreements and Other Roles/Responsibilities as Assigned Tasks Assist with general department responsibilities as needs arise, such as: the acquisition of trip permits and reservations, inventory of education materials, gear, and equipment, data entry, trip food/menu planning, and other department responsibilities critical to deliver high-quality outdoor programming. Support strategic organizational needs as applicable and/or assigned by supervisor, i.e. attending special events, project collaboration, etc. Perform all job responsibilities in a manner that centers Wilderness Inquiry values and supports a healthy, safe, and productive work environment for all employees, adhering to our Workplace Community Agreements .

Please note:

These are not intended to encompass all roles and responsibilities of this position; other duties may be assigned at the discretion of the supervisor. Qualifications and Requirements Required Qualifications Bachelor's or equivalent degree and 1+ year of professional experience, OR 3+ years of professional experience in a related field Strong written and verbal communication skills Project management skills Demonstrated proficiency with computers, spreadsheets, and database management Ability to pass a background check Desired Qualifications and Characteristics Demonstrated experience working with military-connected communities or a passion for supporting military families Demonstrated experience working with outdoor programming and/or nature-based experiences Demonstrated experience in family, youth, or young adult program coordination and/or facilitation Demonstrated experience in partnership management, relationship development, and/or outreach Demonstrated experience in event planning and/or logistics management Passion for Wilderness Inquiry's inclusive mission, outdoor adventure, and connecting people to the benefits of nature A self-starter who takes initiative Excellent computer and database skills Collaborative and team-oriented Willingness to listen, learn, and continuously improve Flexible, persistent, organized, and attentive to detail Enjoys variety and is open to learning new roles Applicants who may not meet all of the desired skills are encouraged to apply; training may be available for some job functions. Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear, and use hands to handle or touch objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally be able to lift and carry heavy loads up to 50lbs over rough terrain for distances of up to 1,000 feet. On occasion the employee must be able to make loud verbal commands, sit and stand for significant periods of time while also directing vessels such as a canoe, use vision to directionally navigate safely, and endure a wide variety of temperatures and elements. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to see while using a standard computer screen, close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The above statements reflect the primary duties and functions of the position and are not intended to describe all of the work requirements that may be inherent in the role. Work Environment This position is hybrid, although the majority will be on-site work at the Wilderness Inquiry Office in Bloomington, MN as part of a professional office environment, as well as outdoor field work to support programs and training. Wilderness Inquiry is a Minnesota-based equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable state and federal employment laws. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, age, familial status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or protected veteran status. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. Wilderness Inquiry is an equal opportunity employer.