BOLD & GOLD Participant Support Director

YMCA of Greater Seattle•Seattle, WA

67d•$185•Onsite

About The Position

As the BOLD & GOLD Participant Support Director, you will provide direct support to BOLD & GOLD participants. This includes connecting with families before, during, and after trips to support the Mental, Emotional, and Social Health needs of participants, with the aim of helping everyone to feel safe, happy, and comfortable while always ensuring the supervision and safety of participants. The BOLD & GOLD Participant Support Director is supervised by the Summer Program Director and performs other duties as assigned. This is an Authorized Driver position; read more in the Position Requirements. BOLD & GOLD is dedicated to inspiring courage and confidence in diverse groups of youth through outdoor adventures. As a program of the Camping & Outdoor Leadership branch of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, BOLD & GOLD offers year-round partnership programs and summer expedition experiences. Partnership programs engage with schools, non-profits, and community-based organizations to design and implement transformative outdoor experiences. The summer expedition program runs single-gender and all-gender expeditions that engage youth through frontcountry and backcountry trips ranging in length from 5 to 15 days. BOLD & GOLD experiences take place in Mt. Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, National Forests, Washington State Parks, and local green spaces. Activities include backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, snowshoeing, fishing, art, and team building. The goal of BOLD & GOLD is to increase confidence, courage, emotional intelligence, wonder, and community awareness in our participants. BOLD & GOLD believes these traits are the foundations of leadership and works to inspire participants to develop their own leadership style. BOLD & GOLD prepares young people to be the next generation of leaders through multicultural experiential education in the natural world. Find out more at www.seattleymca.org/boldgold

Requirements

Work or life experience or education in social work, mental health counseling, or related fields is preferred.
Experience with and knowledge of youth behavior management and child abuse prevention.
Experience making the transference of a wilderness experience relevant to the everyday lives of youth.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships with youth and adults from a variety of backgrounds.
Ability to role model compassionate and confident leadership.
High level of self-awareness and can work in a collaborative setting.
Commitment to working with diverse groups of youth and staff.
Possess strong organizational skills, flexibility, and a problem-solving mentality.
Ability to mentor staff in interpersonal skills, including clear, consistent communication, building positive group culture, and supporting participants through challenges such as homesickness, conflict, etc.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Currentâ¯WFA and CPR Certifications.
Current Washington State Food Handlers Permit.
Leave No Trace 101 Certification.
Required by start date.
BOLD & GOLD uses 14-passenger minibuses to transport passengers and equipment to trailheads and campsites, including driving on interstates, city streets, and rural roads.
This safety-sensitive role requires transporting clients as "authorized drivers" for the Y. Potential offers will be contingent upon meeting the following conditions: Being 21+, having a valid driver's license for at least three years, and possessing a driving record that meets Y standards (no more than two moving violations within the last three years; no significant incidents, such as reckless driving, DUI/DWI, tickets 20+ miles above the speed limit, etc., within the last 5 years). You must also pass a drug screen that will test for impairing substances, including marijuana.

Nice To Haves

WFR or W-EMT Certification.
Knowledge of and previous experience with diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.). Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.
Experience with anti-racism practices and coalition building.

Responsibilities

Work closely with Course Directors, Logistics Manager, Logistics Coordinators, and instructors providing resources, suggestions, and direct support for participants who need extra attention due to behavior, health (mental and physical), or life circumstance.
Communicate directly with parents, guardians, or case workers pro- and re-actively to gain tips for working with specific participants and to give updates on the participants' experience.
Maintain detailed reports and accounts of all work with participants, families, and staff.
Assist as a member of the leadership team with plans, schedules, and facilitate program activities that are developmentally appropriate, and which promote camper skill and character development. Organizes, leads, and assists with facilitation of all-camp special events.
Build strong rapport with participants, staff, and families, foster positive group development, create structure, and draw learning from experiential activities.
Train and mentor staff in how to: Build emotionally and physically safe environments with groups of middle and high school participants.
Help participants build emotional intelligence and multicultural leadership skills through wilderness experience.
Model cultural humility and celebrate diversity, effectively working with people of different identities, backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
Ensure both a physically and an emotionally safe and inclusive environment for youth and staff.
Other duties as assigned.