25 miles
Job Description & Requirements
Programs Manager
Olympic Outdoor Center
Port Gamble, Washington
Position Type
Full-Time | Year-Round
Compensation
$25.00•33.00 per hour, depending on experience
About Olympic Outdoor Center
Founded in 1986, Olympic Outdoor Center is Kitsap Peninsula's premier outdoor outfitter and adventure company. We provide kayak, bike, and paddleboard rentals, guided tours, instructional programs, retail sales, and outdoor experiences throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Operating from historic Port Gamble and Poulsbo, our mission is to inspire exploration through paddle, bike, and play.
As we celebrate our 40th year in business, we are seeking an experienced Programs Manager to lead and grow our instructional programs, guided tours, and outdoor experiences.
Position Summary
The Programs Manager is responsible for the development, coordination, staffing, and day-to-day management of Olympic Outdoor Center's programs department.
This position oversees kayak instruction, guided tours, special events, rentals support, guide and instructor staffing, risk management, scheduling, and program growth.
The ideal candidate is an experienced outdoor professional who combines strong leadership and organizational skills with a passion for teaching, guiding, and creating exceptional guest experiences.
This position reports directly to company ownership and serves as a key member of the management team.
Primary Responsibilities
Program Management
Oversee all instructional programs, guided tours, and special events.
Coordinate annual program schedules and offerings.
Manage program logistics, staffing, equipment, and operational needs.
Ensure programs operate safely, efficiently, and professionally.
Evaluate and improve program quality and guest experiences.
Staff Leadership
Recruit, hire, train, and supervise guides and instructors.
Develop staff schedules and manage instructor assignments.
Conduct performance evaluations and provide coaching.
Support staff development and certification opportunities.
Foster a positive and professional team culture.
Risk Management & Safety
Ensure compliance with company safety policies and procedures.
Maintain risk management and emergency response protocols.
Review incident reports and implement corrective actions when needed.
Monitor weather, water, and environmental conditions affecting operations.
Maintain high standards of professionalism and guest safety.
Customer Service
Serve as a primary point of contact for program participants.
Respond to customer inquiries and booking requests.
Resolve customer concerns professionally and effectively.
Maintain a high level of guest satisfaction across all programs.
Equipment & Facilities
Oversee program equipment inventory and maintenance.
Coordinate repairs and replacement of instructional equipment.
Ensure equipment remains clean, organized, and operational.
Support fleet readiness for classes, tours, and rentals.
Business Development
Assist in developing new classes, tours, and events.
Identify opportunities to increase participation and revenue.
Collaborate with marketing efforts to promote programs.
Support partnerships with schools, organizations, clubs, and community groups.
Qualifications
Required
Experience managing outdoor recreation programs, guiding operations, or educational programs.
Strong leadership and team management experience.
Excellent communication and organizational skills.
Experience working with customers in a professional environment.
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
Current First Aid and CPR certification.
Clean driving record and ability to operate company vehicles.
Ability to lift and move kayaks and outdoor equipment weighing up to 60 pounds.
Preferred
ACA Instructor Certification.
ACA Coastal Kayak Guide Certification.
Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, or equivalent.
Experience managing staff schedules and payroll systems.
Experience with FareHarbor or reservation systems.
Experience with marketing, program development, or event management.
Knowledge of sea kayaking, cycling, and outdoor recreation operations.
What Success Looks Like
Programs consistently receive excellent customer feedback.
Guides and instructors are well-trained, supported, and accountable.
Classes and tours operate safely and efficiently.
Equipment remains organized, maintained, and ready for use.
Participation and revenue goals are achieved.
New programs and events continue to grow the business.
Olympic Outdoor Center maintains its reputation as the premier outdoor recreation provider in Kitsap County.
Benefits
50% employer-paid health insurance, including dental and vision coverage.
Employee discounts on retail merchandise.
Access to company equipment and outdoor programs.
Paid professional development and certification opportunities.
Flexible outdoor-oriented work environment.
Opportunities for advancement within a growing recreation company.
To Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the position.
John Kuntz
jkuntzolympicoutdoorcenter
Olympic Outdoor Center
Port Gamble, Washington
About olympic outdoor center
Olympic Outdoor Center is a Pacific Northwest specialty retailer and outfitter dedicated to paddlers, bikers, and expedition-minded adventurers. Founded in 1986 on the shores of Puget Sound, OOC has spent nearly four decades immersed in cold-water paddling, coastal travel, mountain biking, and serious outdoor use. What began as a small local shop has grown into a nationally respected paddlesports institution—trusted by those who value reliability, fit, and informed guidance over trend and hype.
We specialize in equipment that matters when conditions are challenging: kayaks, paddleboards, mountain bikes, dry suits, rescue systems, technical paddling apparel, paddles, PFDs, spray skirts, and SmartTrack rudder systems. These are not casual purchases, and we do not treat them as commodities. Every product we carry is selected because it performs under stress, holds up to repeated use, and solves real problems paddlers face on cold water.
Our team includes professional sea kayak instructors, guides, and long-distance expedition paddlers. We teach with this gear. We paddle with it in wind, tide, and current. We see what works—and what fails—when conditions change. That lived experience informs every recommendation we make.
But Olympic Outdoor Center has always been more than a retail shop.
Over 40 years, we have introduced thousands to cold-water paddling and hired more than 400 youth into our programs, tours, classes, rental locations, and shop. Today, we are welcoming the children of our first employees into the next generation of leadership and instruction. That continuity reflects something we value deeply: mentorship, responsibility, and community.
As a retailer, our role is not simply to ship products—it is to help people make better decisions. We believe honest guidance builds trust, even when it means advising against a sale. That philosophy has made Olympic Outdoor Center a destination shop for paddlers across the country who want clarity, competence, and equipment they can rely on.
Whether preparing for a first season in cold water or refining an expedition-ready setup, our mission remains steady: equip people with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to paddle safely, skillfully, and well.
Forty years in, we are still teaching. Still guiding. Still learning.
And still building the next generation of Pacific Northwest adventurers.
