The High Mountain Institute seeks a Community & Culture Coordinator (CCC), a year-round, full-time, FLSA-exempt position reporting to the Head of School. The position coordinates HMI’s efforts to cultivate an inclusive and diverse learning and working community, working directly with students and adults across HMI’s programs and collaborating with school leadership on strategic priorities and projects. In partnership with the Program Directors (Directors of the HMI Semester, Director of Programs, Dean of the Apprentice Program, and Director of Wilderness Programs) and the Leadership Team as a whole, the CCC works to make HMI’s community, programs, and practices more inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all. 

The ideal candidate will have previous experience working with teenagers and young adults, as well as experience engaging with and leading diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in an educational or non-profit setting. The candidate will embody the school’s mission and core values, uphold HMI’s intentional community culture, and collaborate with school leadership to reach our strategic goals. The candidate will have experience supporting students and adults from all identities and backgrounds, and be passionate about increasing diversity and access in outdoor recreation and educational spaces. 

Primary Job Responsibilities:

HMI Community 

• Collaborate with Program Directors and the Admissions Team to attract, support, and retain students from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds

• Coordinate curriculum and oversee staffing of community affinity spaces

• Coordinate translation, interpretation, and accessibility services

• Manage a ~$10k departmental budget 

• Serve on Professional Development Committee

HMI Semester 

• Work with the Dean of the Apprentice Program to support and empower apprentices as community members and school culture influencers

• Work with the Semester Director of Students & Residential Life to co-facilitate the Student Diversity Council

• Serve as Faculty on Duty, performing overnight residential life duties approximately once per week during the Semester

• Assist in coordinating student support around issues of inclusion

• Mentor an apprentice, as needed, during the semester

• Advise 3-5 students per semester

• Co-lead 2-3 expeditions per year, as needed

HMI Programs

• Support Summer Term, Gap, Educators Expedition, and other non-semester programs as needed

• Co-lead 1-2 non-semester expeditions per year

Community & Constituent Relations

• Engage with Alumni Council and Board members and subcommittees

• Explore organizational and strategic partnerships that strengthen HMI’s community connections and advance the school’s mission & strategic plan

Hiring and Human Resources

• Collaborate with Program Directors and Apprentice Coordinator to develop systems for recruiting, supporting, and retaining talented employees from all backgrounds

• Serve on hiring committees as needed

• Chair the Welcoming & Belonging Committee, and serve on the Hiring Taskforce

10% of every position is doing whatever needs to be done at HMI; we are a collaborative and supportive community in meeting the changing needs of our school!

Term of Employment: August 1, 2026-July 31, 2027 (with some flexibility on start date)

Position Pay & Benefits: 

• $40k-$48k total compensation, inclusive of salary and the value of housing

• 403(b) retirement savings plan; 4-9% matching contributions starting after one year

• Health & dental insurance; vision and mental health reimbursement

• On-campus housing provided or $9,000 living stipend 

• On-campus residents do not pay for utilities or internet. Electric vehicle owners can charge for free on-campus.

• 4-8 weeks paid vacation for staff positions

• Short term and long term disability insurance, life insurance

• Pro-deals (steep discounts on outdoor gear for outdoor professionals) 

• Professional development opportunities

• Paid parental leave 

• Free meals on campus when school is in session 

• 4-month paid sabbatical available after ten years; 4-week sabbatical after seven years

About the High Mountain Institute: Founded in 1995, HMI is a nonprofit independent school with a focus on outdoor, experiential, and place-based education. HMI serves approximately over 100 students per year across its high school, summer, and gap programming. About 30% of students receive financial aid and a similar percentage identify as people of color. All HMI students participate in extended wilderness expeditions lasting from 10-21 days. HMI is not a rehabilitative or wilderness therapy program. HMI students are high-achieving, healthy students seeking challenge, a strong community, and a deeper connection to nature. HMI has over 20 year-round staff, about 2/3 of whom live on campus. Learn more at: www.hminet.org.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at HMI: The High Mountain Institute is committed to building a more diverse and affirming school and outdoor industry. HMI is an equal opportunity employer that strives for diversity by honoring the differences of each member of our community. We seek to build a community (of faculty, staff, students, and trustees) that is ethnically, socio-economically, and geographically diverse and that brings a diversity of experience, background, talent, and perspective. People of color, LGBTQ and gender nonbinary people, and people with other historically-marginalized identities are encouraged to apply. Learn more at: www.hminet.org/dei.

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume via email to Phoebe Gray, Administrative Coordinator & Registrar, at [email protected] and fill out the HMI Prospective Employment Form on our website. We begin our initial review of applications immediately, and will continue reviewing applications until the position is filled. Correspondence via e-mail is preferred.

The school reserves the right to change or add to this job description at any time