Lead Instructor - Stone Canyon (One Year Only 26-27 School Year)

Douglas County School District • Southeast, NY

5d • $1 - $3,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Instructor - Stone Canyon position is a one-year role for the 26-27 school year. This role involves teaching activity groups of 12-15 students in an outdoor classroom setting, delivering lesson plans on Science, Outdoor Education, and Leadership. The Lead Instructor will also assist in preparing weekly schedules and group organization. They will be trained on all class modules and will help train new staff in subsequent seasons. A key responsibility is to mentor and support seasonal Program Instructors through observations, guidance, and feedback, acting as a liaison between instructors and program managers. While not a direct supervisor, the Lead Instructor provides leadership, direction, and support. They collaborate with administration on new staff training, oversee instruction, and communicate any discipline or group issues to their supervisor. The role includes one overnight on-duty shift per week, acting as an emergency contact. Additionally, the Lead Instructor is responsible for the care of program equipment and supplies, setting up and taking down classrooms and activities, and developing teaching aids. Support for High School Lead volunteer coordination is also required.

Requirements

• Be at least 21 years old
• Possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or related experience
• Have 2-3 seasons of OE, summer camp or related experience
• CPR and First Aid Certified (can be certified as part of staff training)
• Pass a criminal background check
• Ability to work with and supervise school age students in an outdoor classroom environment & enjoy working with young people!
• Enjoy sharing their passion for the outdoors and personal growth with others!
• Able to learn and execute the lessons/activities in an expansive curriculum.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to support positive outcomes
• Instruct and supervise school age children in a residential outdoor school setting
• Maintains a generally positive attitude.
• Observes all District policies and procedures.
• Open to receiving constructive feedback and applying the information in a timely manner.
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Verbal and written communication skills in English and a demonstrated ability to read and comprehend written/graphic and oral instructions

Nice To Haves

• One Year Only 26-27 School Year

Responsibilities

• Provide a fun and safe environment for all students and clients.
• Teach activity groups of 12 - 15 students in an outdoor classroom setting, and deliver lesson plans that cover various topics such as Science, Outdoor Education, and Leadership.
• Assist in the preparation of weekly schedules and group organization.
• Leads will be trained on all classes first season, will help to teach/train new staff in following seasons.
• Mentor and support seasonal Program Instructors by performing class observations, providing instructional guidance, and constructive feedback.
• Facilitate a clear and effective line of communication with the program manager to voice any needs, questions, or concerns brought forward by seasonal Program Instructors.
• Leads do not provide a direct supervisory role to Program instructors. Leads will act as a mentor and role model to program instructors by providing leadership, direction, and support.
• Collaborate with administration to plan and implement new staff training sessions twice a year.
• Oversee instruction and effectively communicate with the supervisor any discipline or other issues that may arise within the group.
• One (1) Overnight On-Duty shift per week. Act as the point of contact for various needs and emergencies that may occur.
• Properly care for program equipment and supplies. Set-up and takedown of classrooms and activities, and leave areas of teaching in good condition for the next instructor. Develop teaching aids as assigned.
• Support and assist with High School Lead volunteer coordination when needed.
• Assist the Assistant Director with management of student discipline during OE season.
• Anticipate potential safety hazards and health needs. Able to respond to emergencies in a calm manner and follow proper facility procedures during and after an incident. Provide basic first aid as trained to do so.
• Supervise 4th -8th grade students in a residential outdoor science school setting. This includes cabin responsibility, camaraderie with the cabin group, oversight of High School Leaders, supervision between activities and meals, nighttime supervision of cabins (25%), teaching students about cabin cleanup, and other day and nighttime group living activities as assigned.
• Communicate effectively with Director reporting any questions, problems and or concerns with program, staff housing, etc.
• Design and complete two major projects annually that improve some aspect of the program or site.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.
• Properly care for equipment and supplies; set-up and takedown classrooms, and leave areas of teaching in good condition for the next instructor; develop teaching aids as assigned.
• Mentor seasonal Program Instructors by providing instructional and programming feedback throughout the season.
• Assist in overall site upkeep, including daily cleaning, trail building, and fire mitigation.
• Teach activity groups of up to 15-16 students in outdoor class setting. Deliver lesson plans including, but not limited to, science, outdoor education and leadership. Oversee instruction and communicate effectively with supervisor any discipline or other issues that may arise within the group.
• Lead songs, games, and any various activities as well as make general announcements to a large group.
• Help deliver teambuilding and various programming to Retreat and Corporate Groups.
• Understand and apply Lean methodologies (Toyota Production System) to ensure continuous improvement within program and daily operations.
• Help in the design of new revenue streams and programs that extend the program calendar.
• Collaborate with administration to plan and implement staff training twice a year and to provide ongoing training opportunities throughout the season.
• Properly care for all ropes course equipment including counting the number of climbers and always communicating any issues to the Director in a timely manner. Responsible for set up and take down of elements as assigned.

Benefits

• Paid staff training
• On-site housing accommodations (private room)
• Meals provided during programming
• The opportunity to build on technical and interpersonal skills to continue development in the experiential education field
• Pro deals and teacher discounts available
• This position is eligible for voluntary 401(k), 403(b) and 457 retirement plans.
• This position is eligible for paid sick time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level