American Mountain Guides Association

American Mountain Guides Association
Technical Director
Job Description

The American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) is looking for an individual who is self-directed, highly organized, motivated, personable, and is active and familiar with all facets of the mountain guiding profession to serve as the Technical Director (TD) of the organization. The TD’s main responsibilities are to serve as the critical link between the technical and administrative branches of the AMGA and assist with the development and execution of the vision and strategic plan for all AMGA programs (Guide, Climbing Instructor and Accreditation). The TD should have a working knowledge of the practices, needs and standards of the American guiding and climbing instructor community, and understand how those needs and standards relate to the AMGA, International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) and The International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA) training and certification standards. We are looking for someone who is an effective and persuasive leader that possesses excellent communication skills and has the ability to direct the AMGA’s Technical Branch.

The TD oversees all technical aspects of the AMGA and is the AMGA technical representative to the IFMGA and UIAA. He or she must be intimately familiar with all disciplines (alpine, rock, and ski) and should have a successful track record working with the AMGA Instructor Team, Technical Committee and AMGA Administration. The TD must have a complete understanding of the AMGA Accreditation program, and both the Mountain Guide and Climbing Instructor career tracks, including the course framework, curriculum and effective teaching methodology that supports all AMGA disciplines.

The TD is a hired position and is expected to serve as a professional member of the AMGA Board of Directors. The TD reports directly to the AMGA Executive Director (ED) and is evaluated by the ED on an annual basis, receiving both a written and oral evaluation. The position is a remote position and entails travel to AMGA programs, events, the AMGA National Office, IFMGA meetings and AMGA Board of Director meetings.

Qualifications:

• Must be an IFMGA Guide
• Should have 15 years guiding experience
• Should have 3 years as a member of the AMGA Instructor Team
• Is currently actively guiding within two of the three core disciplines –alpine, rock, and ski
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal
• Strong administrative skills and experience
• Good management and people skills
• Ability to work as a team member
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel, and e-mail software (other word and spread sheet applications acceptable)
• Dedication to the value of AMGA education, training and credentials
• Ability to be objective and impartial and make decisions that are for the overall benefit of the AMGA and the guiding profession as a whole
• Ability to make decisions in a timely manner, follow through on projects, hold him or herself accountable
• Ability to delegate tasks and hold others accountable for their actions

Responsibilities:

Management of Technical Branch (Instructor Team, Discipline Coordinators and Technical Committee)

• Provide vision and leadership for the AMGA Technical Branch
• Determine prerequisites for, recruit, interview and select Discipline Coordinators and Technical Committee members that have the right technical and personal abilities to help further the AMGA’s mission
• Develop job description and qualifications for Instructor Team members
• Work with Program Director to recruit, interview and select Instructor Team members
• Ensure that all Instructor Team members, Discipline Coordinators and Technical Committee members receive an orientation to the AMGA and that appropriate training is provided
• Observe AMGA programs to identify strengths and weakness and ensure adequate training needs are addressed annually
• Plan and prepare annual Instructor Team training
• Manage, direct and hold accountable the AMGA Discipline Coordinators and Technical Committee
• Work with the Program Director to implement a performance management process for all Instructor Team members and Discipline Coordinators, which includes monitoring the performance on an on-going basis and conducting an annual performance review
• Coach and mentor Instructor Team and Discipline Coordinators as appropriate to improve performance
• Work with the Program Director to improve substandard performance by the Instructor Team and Discipline Coordinators when necessary, using appropriate corrective action
• Release Instructor Team members, Discipline Coordinators and Technical Committee members when necessary using appropriate and legally defensible procedures
• Work with the Program Director and Discipline Coordinators to effectively staff AMGA programs and finalize course schedules
• Approve additional schedule and venue additions
• Chair the Technical Committee. Obtain advice and support of Technical Committee as necessary to complete the above responsibilities
• Send out official notifications to entire AMGA staff when decisions are ratified by the Technical Committee
• Make a standing appointment of an alternate to act on appeals in the event that the Technical Director served as an examiner on the exam in question
• Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations

Program Development

• Must prepare and submit a draft five-year strategic plan for program development by June 2012 Board Meeting
• Uphold AMGA’s Mission and Vision
• Develop and implement all of the AMGA’s education and certification programs
• Develop training and certification programs that are responsive to the needs of the American guiding and climbing instructor profession
• Develop materials as necessary for the Training and Certification programs for maintenance, continuity and development
• Develop prerequisites for program participants
• Monitor program effectiveness and implementation
• Target new program venues and direct Program Director to apply for and secure permits
• Develop a systematic approach to communicating with Instructor Team members, Technical Committee members and Administrative Staff of organization
• Manage all program-related appeals process. Grant appeals, appoint committee members and oversee appeals process
• Respond to relevant member concerns in a timely and professional manner
• Track and record incidences and accidents on AMGA programs

International Relations

• Uphold the standards established by the IFMGA in the certifications required for IFMGA Mountain Guide status.
• Uphold the standards established by the UIAA to maintain UIAA endorsement of AMGA Climbing Instructor programs
• Facilitate Instructor exchanges with other IFMGA countries
• Maintain positive relationship between U.S, IFMGA and IFMGA Member Countries
• Maintain positive relationships between U.S, American Alpine Club and UIAA representatives
• Represent the AMGA at the meetings of the IFMGA Technical Commission
• Respond to requests from the IFMGA Technical Commission

Financial Planning and Management

• Work with Executive Director to prepare a comprehensive budget for the technical branch of the AMGA (including instructor wages and stipends, instructor team training requirements)
• Work with Executive Director to secure adequate funding for the training needs of the AMGA Instructor Team
• Participate in fundraising activities as appropriate

General

• Serve as the liaison between the administrative and technical branches of the AMGA
• Act jointly with and work toward the same end as the Program Director, Climbing Instructor Program Director and Accreditation Director
• Sit on the AMGA Board of Directors throughout tenure as Technical Director
• Submit weekly progress updates to Executive Director
• Submit monthly staff report to Executive Director
• Submit standardized board reports three-times per year and as requested
• Engage in monthly call with Executive Director and Program Director
• Participate in quarterly calls with the Program Director and Discipline Coordinators
• The TD is an educator who fosters the spirit and ethic of education in the Instructor Team, the membership, and organization
• Contribute to and approve final content for quarterly Instructor Team updates
• Contribute to Mountain Bulletin 4-times per year and other AMGA publications as requested
• Respond to and participate in discussions related to technical questions

Personal Characteristics:

• Adaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, versatile and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency
• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices, and ensure that own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the AMGA
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the AMGA
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques
• Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the AMGA and to create new opportunities
• Focus on Membership Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external members to meet or exceed their expectations within the AMGA parameters
• Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance AMGA effectiveness
• Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the AMGA
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the AMGA
• Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, and monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities
• Plan: Determine strategies to move the AMGA forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem
• Think Strategically: Assesses options and actions based on trends and conditions in the environment, and the vision and values of the AMGA

The Technical Director position is a part-time salaried position. The position will require 800 hours of work annually, 75% (600 hours, 12 hours/week) of which will be devoted to administrative work and the remaining 25% (200 hours) devoted to program observation. Starting salary will range from $20,000-$22,500 commensurate with experience. In addition the AMGA will reimburse all necessary, customary and usual expenses incurred while traveling for and on behalf of the AMGA pursuant to Executive Director’s direction. Health and dental insurance not included with part-time positions. For more information please visit www.amga.com.

Please submit cover letter, resume and three references to Betsy Winter at betsy@amga.com by 5 p.m MST Friday, July 22, 2011.