Instructor - Intercept (Struggling Teens) - Ely, MN

Voyageur Outward Bound School•Ely, MN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Voyageur Outward Bound School is hiring a seasonal Instructor for its Ely, Minnesota field staff, with a focus on the Intercept Program and a willingness to work on other course types as needed. The position runs from early May through August 2027, with required pre-season training in wilderness travel, technical skills, Outward Bound curriculum, and educational philosophy. Instructors continue learning in the field under the supervision of a Course Director and Lead Instructor, working as part of an instructional team to facilitate educationally effective wilderness expeditions and teach students expedition skills. The Intercept Program serves youth and young adults whose needs are not met by a standard expedition format and includes a family component to support students’ transitions home. Instructors help plan and deliver nature-based experiential courses aligned with Outward Bound’s mission and educational philosophy. They support students’ character, leadership, communication, resilience, self-awareness, and decision-making while helping maintain their physical and emotional safety. The role also includes community-building at the wilderness base camp, communication and feedback with colleagues, and work with staff to facilitate parent workshops and restorative conferences. Instructors follow safety and emergency procedures and may assist with on-call wilderness responses and evacuations. This is an outdoor field position with variable, flexible scheduling, including weekends. Staff work in outdoor conditions, sometimes in poor weather, and may spend long days on their feet. The role involves vigorous to moderate physical activity and occasional emotionally difficult situations. The position starts early May 2027; assignments depend on student enrollment, so instructors receive specific schedules after training and must remain flexible during the May–August peak season.

Requirements

Be at least 21 years old by the start date.
Hold a valid driver’s license for at least three years that passes Outward Bound USA screening criteria.
Have, or be able to obtain after hiring, Wilderness First Responder and CPR certifications.
Have, or be able to obtain after hiring, Wilderness Water Safety or active lifeguard certification.
Demonstrate competency in outdoor technical skills such as canoeing, portaging, backpacking, campcraft, map-and-compass navigation, expedition logistics, and risk management.
Have experience teaching outdoor technical skills to students and experience leading others.
Demonstrate risk-management skills, including assessing student ability and backcountry hazards and mitigating risks associated with expedition-style travel.
Be able to participate in all site and course activities and maintain the energy, strength, and focus needed to support students and instructors, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Be able to work a varied and flexible schedule, including weekends, and remain flexible during the May–August peak season.
Be able to work outdoors in varying weather, including poor weather, and perform duties that may involve standing for extended periods, lifting, crawling, bending, carrying, pulling, confined spaces, and heights.
Have mental resilience to endure occasional physically or emotionally difficult situations, including emotionally charged interactions with staff, students, partners, chaperones, or parents.
Be able to occasionally carry equipment weighing up to 75 pounds and participate in physical activities such as backpacking, paddling, portaging, running, carrying canoes overland, swimming, rock climbing, and kayaking.
Demonstrate collaboration, communication, conflict management, continual learning, cultural competence, sound decision-making, and the ability to instill trust.
Demonstrate self-management, situational adaptability, and the ability to teach and coach others.

Nice To Haves

Experiential education experience in a leadership position, including some experience on extended overnight expeditions.
Team-building experience.
Top-rope rock climbing experience.
Sea kayaking experience.
High-ropes-course facilitation experience.
A driver’s license meeting the stated requirements is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with VOBS staff to design and implement nature-based, experiential expeditions aligned with Outward Bound’s mission and educational philosophy.
Model the character, leadership, and service values Outward Bound seeks to teach students.
Participate in course planning and logistics, including curriculum development, route planning, and food and equipment planning and pack-out.
Help build a community where students and staff feel a sense of belonging.
Communicate clearly and promptly with co-instructors, the Course Director, and other staff; give and receive oral and written feedback.
Work with VOBS staff to facilitate workshops and restorative conferences with parents of Intercept students.
Contribute to the small wilderness base-camp community and participate in upkeep and maintenance of shared spaces.
Help identify, assess, and manage environmental, physical, social, and emotional risks during course activities.
Help manage student behavior and group dynamics and facilitate group processes.
Follow local operating procedures, safety policies, and emergency procedures in the field staff manual.
Help manage students’ emotional and physical safety during distress and field emergencies.
Participate as needed in the base camp’s on-call field response system, which may include evacuating an injured student, answering the emergency field line, or preparing food and gear for evacuation teams.
Teach students wilderness expedition skills, including canoeing, portaging, backpacking, campcraft, map-and-compass navigation, expedition logistics, and risk management.

Benefits

Housing and meals provided throughout the summer.
Outdoor gear available through pro deals at discounted rates.
Paid sick time accrued at one hour for every 30 hours worked.
Eligibility for a 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match of up to 2% of total earnings.
Access to the VOBS Employee Assistance Program.
Supportive, values-driven staff community.
Opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Downtime recreation opportunities, including swimming, paddleboarding, sauna use, and running rapids with friends.
Professional development opportunities through wilderness staff travels.
Vibrant staff culture and opportunities to form lasting friendships.