Program Coordinator

Hours: Full-time, permanent position (approximately 0.865 FTE equivalent for 45-week position)

Location: Forest Grove, OR

Salaried with benefits: $43,000 - $50,000 DOE (equivalent to $24 - $28/hr)

Ideal Start Date*: May 2026

*Start date may be flexible depending on the new hire’s experience, availability, and AWL’s program needs.

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Adventures Without Limits (AWL) is a small non-profit with a big mission! Our team is passionate about our mission to provide opportunity and adventure to all people, regardless of ability level, socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity, or age. Everyone should have access to the mental, physical, and social benefits of time spent outdoors. Our programs aim to inspire personal growth, instill confidence, develop peer relationships, and enhance awareness of the natural environment through whitewater rafting, flatwater kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, climbing, and camping trips. We work with adults and youth alike, including individuals with disabilities, marginalized communities, and nonprofit partners from the greater Portland Metro area. At AWL, we value an inclusive atmosphere that encourages shared growth and learning among both staff and participants. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Adventures Without Limits is looking to add another Program Coordinator to our program team. If you are looking for the next step in your guiding career, this could be a great fit for you! As a Program Coordinator (PC), you work closely with the Director of Outreach and Development (DOD) and (2) other PCs in a team setting to ensure quality programming. If you have a love for the outdoors and a passion for connecting people to nature, we’re looking to invest in you!

As a PC, your primary responsibility will be guiding outdoor trips for a variety of populations. From mid-May to early September, PCs can expect to primarily work in a Trip Leader role, overseeing daily logistics by managing participant and staff needs, while supporting single and multi-day programs. During these months, additional responsibilities include: managing and maintaining relevant outdoor equipment, pre- and post-program communication and logistics, and leading a small team of guides, interns, and volunteers during programs. PCs are expected to model best guiding practices and AWL values, mentor seasonal staff and volunteers, implement risk management strategies, and instruct and facilitate a variety of skills to guides and participants. You will also work with participants experiencing a range of disabilities and think critically to meet their needs by leveraging adaptive equipment, behavioral support, or other creative solutions.

Outside the busy summer season, PCs can expect to work on projects related to nonprofit management, including marketing, social media, development, fundraising, volunteer management, staff training, gear maintenance, and other projects as determined by organizational needs, aligned with the candidate’s skills and experience. 

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

Candidates will be considered based on a combination of their technical skills and professional experience across many areas. This includes both outdoor guiding skills and any skills and experience you have that may benefit AWL and the organization as a whole. As you look through this section of the job description, please note areas in which you have experience, want to grow, and areas of interest. In your cover letter, mention these areas, and include any additional skills or experience you have that you may be able to bring to AWL.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU:

Outdoor Guiding

• Professional experience guiding some or all of the following activities: whitewater rafting, flatwater kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, rock climbing, and/or cross-country skiing
• Experience assessing and implementing risk management practices as it relates to outdoor and/or adaptive programs
• Experience or the ability to learn to drive 15-passenger vans with trailers
• Swiftwater Rescue Training Certification (SRT-1), or the ability to obtain this in the first year of employment
• Wilderness First Aid certification, or the ability to obtain it in the first 6 months of employment
• Must pass a background check, submit a driver's record, and complete required trainings
• Ability to lift 50 lbs repeatedly, navigate uneven terrain, load, and manage equipment and gear
• Ability to work long hours in a variety of outdoor settings, including rivers, lakes, forests, and mountains, under a range of weather conditions

Nonprofit Administration

• Working knowledge or willingness to learn principles of adaptive and inclusive programming, including practices to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Experience working with diverse populations, including at-risk youth, people with disabilities, people of diverse cultural backgrounds, and underserved communities
• Represent the organization by upholding AWL’s mission, policies, procedures, and values, in the field, in the office/warehouse, and at events
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Excellent time management and organization skills

WE ALSO LIKE TO SEE:

Outdoor Guiding

• Experience with some or all of the following activities: flatwater kayaking, rafting, paddle boarding, canoeing, rock climbing, backcountry camping, snowshoeing, and/or cross-country skiing
• Experience paddle raft guiding, rowing oar-rig rafts, or guiding multi-day raft trips
• Experience in training and/or mentoring staff
• Experience with facilitating a group or activity
• Experience or interest in environmental education
• Familiarity with maintaining outdoor gear, equipment, trailers, and vehicles
• Certifications in outdoor instruction or recreation (AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, ACA, Leave No Trace, etc.)
• Oregon area recreation knowledge or experience
• Ability to adapt to changing situations while also prioritizing safety and upholding a quality experience
• Experience managing trip logistics, including purchasing, packing, and preparing program equipment 
• Experience managing pre/post trip communications with guides, volunteers, participants, and the program team 
• Multilingual, language skills in Spanish and/or American Sign Language

Nonprofit Administration

• Experience with and understanding of non-profit organizations
• Experience with grant writing, fundraising campaigns, donor engagement, or other non-profit development experience. 
• Experience with marketing, outreach, and communications
• Experience managing professional social media platforms and creating content. Specifically, Instagram and Facebook platforms
• Experience with or interest in Volunteer Management 
• Experience with or the ability to learn scheduling, registration, and website software
• Google Suite experience (Gmail, shared drives, Google Docs)

WHY AWL? 

The Adventures Without Limits team works closely together to ensure all aspects of our programs serve our mission and community as a whole. Diversity, inclusion, and authenticity are core values at AWL. We are constantly striving to hire people with similar or shared lived experiences as our community members. We highly encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives. BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and candidates living with a disability are highly encouraged to apply. No matter who you are, if inclusive recreation is your passion, we want to hear from you! 

SCHEDULE: Adventures Without Limits operates year-round, facilitating adaptive recreation programs, with May through September being our busiest season. The Program Coordinator will be asked to work in the field full-time during the summer months, including weekends and overnight trips. The in-field hours will taper during the shoulder seasons (January through April and October through December) with roles and responsibilities shifting to support nonprofit management work, including fundraising and development, marketing, communications, and volunteer management, in addition to leading winter programming from January through March.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The Program Coordinator will work at our office/warehouse located in Forest Grove, OR. You will work collaboratively with the entire AWL team to support one another professionally to produce safe and successful programs. Your time will be split between the office/warehouse and in the field for programs. During our busy season (May through September), you should expect to spend 80% of your time in the field and 20% of your time at our office/warehouse preparing for trips and managing gear. Trip days are often 8- to 12-hour days, and include weekends. During the slower program months (January through April and October through December), the in-field hours will taper depending on program activities. The PC can expect to spend most of their time at the office/warehouse supporting the program team with volunteer management, program development, and fundraising projects, while still supporting and leading winter, fall, and spring programming. 

HOW TO APPLY:

Please email a resume, cover letter, relevant certifications, references, and a trip log with each file labeled “Last Name, First Name, Document (ie, Resume)” to View email address on click.appcast.io, with “Program Coordinator” in the subject line. Priority Deadline for Applications: March 1st, 2026, by 11:59 PM. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applications submitted before the priority deadline will be reviewed first. Applications submitted after the priority deadline are not guaranteed to be reviewed.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Adventures Without Limits is an equal opportunity employer. Diversity and inclusion are core values at AWL, and we highly encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives to apply. We are prepared to provide an interpreter for the interview process if requested. Additional arrangements may be made as needed.

At this time, we do not have the capacity to sponsor work visas for international applicants. 

Special Benefits

IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR BRILLIANCE, YOU WILL RECEIVE:

$43,000 - $50,000 (DOE) with benefits, including:

• 10 days of vacation, 8 days of sick leave
• 4 paid holidays 
• Employee health and dental insurance are covered at 75% 
• Option to contribute pre-tax to 403b retirement plan
• Professional development opportunities
• 8 weeks off: week of Labor Day, and from mid-November through the first week of January (may be negotiable depending on organizational needs)

Why work here

Adventures Without Limits (AWL) is a small non-profit with a big mission to provide opportunity and adventure for all people, regardless of ability level, socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity, or age.

If you are looking for the next step in your guiding career, you have a love for the outdoors, and you have a passion for connecting people to nature, we’re looking to invest in you! We highly encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives. BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and candidates living with a disability are highly encouraged to apply. No matter who you are, if inclusive recreation is your passion, we want to hear from you!