OUTDOOR EDUCATION & RETREATS SPECIALIST
About The Position
Join the Adventure! Spend your days teaching outside, moving your body, leading adventures, and helping people reconnect with the natural world. As an Outdoor Education & Retreats Specialist, you will wear many hats like educator, guide, hype-squad, and full-time camp hero. In this role, you will help schools and retreat groups discover the outdoors through hands-on science, challenge activities, classic camp traditions, and plenty of pure fun. You will join a community that values connection, personal growth, teamwork, and the occasional campfire s’more. Your “office” is the woods. Your coworkers become your community. Your job includes adventure, creativity, learning, and joy. You make real impact — kids remember these experiences for life. No dress shoes. No cubicles. No Monday dread. Just meaningful work, movement, nature, and a season you’ll talk about for years. At the Y, we strive to live our purpose of strengthening communities with intention and purpose every day. We welcome all: we are open to everyone. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We nurture: we support you on your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you.
Requirements
- A strong commitment to the mission of the YMCA, including building community, supporting youth development, and contributing positively to the organization.
- Experience working directly with young people in educational, recreational, or youth-focused environments.
- Willingness to obtain certifications in First Aid and CPR, Lifeguarding, and Ropes or Challenge Course facilitation. Training and support will be provided.
- Progress toward or completion of a degree in environmental science, education, youth development, outdoor recreation, or a related field. Equivalent experience will also be considered.
- Ability to engage with participants in an energetic, encouraging, and hands-on manner, including participating in activities that may involve physical movement and outdoor conditions.
- Genuine enthusiasm for working outdoors in a wide range of weather conditions, including sun, rain, mud, and nighttime programming.
- Must be able to see, hear, and speak clearly.
- Must be able to lift at least 50lbs.
- Must be in good health, able to bend, stand, stoop, walk, climb and work outside in all terrain and weather conditions for extended periods of time.
- Must be able to comprehend and communicate written and or verbal instructions.
- Comfortable working at heights and around water.
- Must be able to complete and maintain certification in CPR and First Aid; able to assist individuals in need until professional help arrives.
- Ability to quickly identify emergency situations (medical, fire, environmental, etc.) and respond appropriately following established procedures.
- Required to report all safety incidents and hazards immediately and accurately to supervisors.
- Commitment to maintaining a safe, clean, and hazard-free environment for all staff, members, and participants.
- Must be able to perform physical tasks related to safety, including assisting individuals of various ages and physical abilities.
- Follow all YMCA safety protocols, OSHA standards, and state/local regulations as applicable.
Nice To Haves
- Previous experience in teaching, outdoor education, adventure programming, or facilitation of challenge course activities.
- Current certifications in First Aid and CPR, Lifeguarding, or Ropes or Challenge Course facilitation.
Responsibilities
- Deliver hands on educational programing to schools focused on environmental science grades 1st-12th
- Facilitate ropes, target sports and aquatics related activities and programming for all retreat guests
- Manage a group of 15-20 students.
- Coordinate with other specialist and directors on programing.
- Provide direct supervision to youth while teaching and leading activities.
- Keep youth safe, supported, and having a blast during all programs.
- Jump into additional tasks as needed, because camp life is always exciting and never the same two days in a row.
Benefits
- Shared housing
- Meals when dining hall is running
- Wi-Fi
- Access to camp activities when not in use
- Job training/certifications
- Complimentary YMCA Membership
- Flexible Scheduling
- Professional Development
- Retirement Benefits
- Employee Resource Groups
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
