Challenge Course Instructor

Outward Bound California•San Francisco, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Outward Bound California is seeking a Challenge Course Instructor to facilitate day programs for Bay Area youth in grades 6–12 and community members at its Challenge Course in McLaren Park, San Francisco. The instructor plans the flow of each day, sets up and breaks down the course, and safely facilitates high- and low-ropes elements, ground games, and team-building activities. Training is provided to help instructors deliver programs that build courage, teamwork, confidence, and self-awareness. This is a part-time, non-exempt, hourly position, typically scheduled 2.5–3 days per week (about 20 hours). Staff usually meet for a half day on Mondays to prepare for the week, with a full-day meeting about once a month. Programs generally run Tuesday through Friday, with occasional Saturdays. Shifts vary by group schedule and are most often 8 a.m.–4 p.m. The season runs February 9–November 18, 2027, with two weeks of required paid training from January 25–February 5, 2027. There are unpaid program breaks June 7–11 and July 26–30, 2027. Work availability depends on booked programs, and there may be opportunities to return for the following season. Most program days take place at the McLaren Park Ropes Course in southeast San Francisco. The starting wage is $24.25 per hour, with opportunities to promote to lead positions paying up to $29.80 per hour. Outward Bound California is a nonprofit in the Outward Bound USA network. It uses challenging outdoor experiences to teach social-emotional skills and is committed to increasing access to outdoor spaces, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The organization encourages applicants who may have gained relevant skills through personal interests, self-directed learning, community roles, or life experiences.

Requirements

Prior experience in experiential, outdoor, or environmental education programs.
Familiarity with belaying and spotting low- and high-ropes course activities.
Passion for working with youth, especially teens and middle schoolers.
Deep understanding of and personal commitment to equity and inclusion in the outdoors.
Lived experience or experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, including differences in age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, and LGBTQ+ community membership.
Comfort giving and receiving feedback.
Ability to facilitate social-emotional learning.
Adaptability to students’ different learning needs.
Ability to participate in all course activities while maintaining the energy, strength, and focus needed to support students and instructors.
Ability to maintain composure, exercise sound judgment and decision-making, and assess and mitigate risk under stress.
Ability to lift and transport 20–50 pounds of gear several times a day.
Ability to be on one’s feet most days, sometimes for up to eight hours a day.
Comfort working outdoors regardless of weather or season and climbing to height.
First Aid and CPR/AED certification by the start date.
At least 19 years of age.
Availability to work Mondays for a half day and nontraditional hours, with shifts most often 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Willingness to authorize a federal and Live Scan background check and provide current TB screening or test results.

Nice To Haves

Speak Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese.
Have held a valid U.S. or Canadian driver’s license for at least three years.

Responsibilities

Facilitate students through one-day challenge course programs.
Fit participants with personal safety equipment.
Belay participants and teach and monitor student belayers.
Set up and break down the challenge course.
Plan and facilitate programs in alignment with Outward Bound values and partners’ desired outcomes.
Assess students to ensure activities are appropriate for their experience level and social and cultural needs.
Model inclusive behavior and build a positive group culture.
Demonstrate cultural responsiveness and an ongoing desire to work with students from diverse backgrounds.
Create an emotionally safe environment for students and staff.
Give and receive feedback consistently with coworkers and supervisors to support a learning community.
Follow operating procedures, safety policies, and emergency procedures in the staff handbook.
Establish clear limits and boundaries for student behavior and independence.
Respond to or manage student groups in emergencies as appropriate.
Perform high-angle rescue safely and efficiently during training and as needed.
Practice self-care and energy management while working outdoors in varied weather and seasons.
Use sound judgment when deciding whether challenge course activities can be conducted safely.
Uphold Outward Bound’s zero-tolerance policy for child abuse and neglect and protect minor students.

Benefits

Paid time off accrued at one hour for every 13 hours worked.
Ability to accrue up to 80 hours of unpaid time off each year.
401(k) after one year of employment.
Pro Deals: opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at discounted rates.
Free youth development training.
Professional development funds.
Recertification reimbursements.
Free access to the Employee Assistance Program for staff and family members.
All required training is paid.
OBCA pays or reimburses the cost of the required background check and TB screening or test.