BOLD & GOLD Summer Wilderness Instructor

YMCA Of Greater Seattle•Seattle, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

BOLD & GOLD, a program of the Camping & Outdoor Leadership branch of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, seeks seasonal Wilderness Instructors to lead youth on outdoor expeditions throughout Washington. Instructors work with a co-lead and are responsible for the physical and emotional safety of up to 10 participants. They follow set itineraries, manage backcountry risks, and facilitate workshops and activities that help participants develop their own leadership styles. Expeditions include 5–15-day frontcountry and backcountry experiences and may involve backpacking, paddling, rock climbing, or mountaineering. BOLD & GOLD programming takes place in national parks, national forests, Washington State Parks, and local green spaces. Its multicultural experiential education aims to inspire courage, confidence, emotional intelligence, wonder, and community awareness among youth. The position is based at the Cascade People’s Center in Seattle, where courses begin and end. Instructors are expected to work three to five field-weeks, usually about 35–55 working days, between late June and late August. All Staff Training takes place in mid-June; new staff are encouraged to attend an optional Backcountry Skills Training in early June. This seasonal, exempt position pays a daily rate. The hiring range is $135–$165 per day. This is a required authorized-driver role using YMCA-provided vehicles, including 14-passenger minibuses. Applicants must meet the YMCA’s age, license-tenure, drug-screening, and driving-record standards. All offers are contingent on a background check. Employees and volunteers must follow abuse-prevention policies, maintain appropriate boundaries, complete required training, report suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and comply with mandated reporting requirements.

Requirements

At least two years of experience working with teens in an organized setting, including facilitating activities that address issues facing adolescents.
Excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
Strong group facilitation, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
Knowledge of teens’ developmental needs and ability to evaluate individual needs.
Experience making wilderness experiences relevant to the everyday lives of underserved youth.
Personal or professional experience in backpacking, rock climbing, paddling, and/or mountaineering.
Ability to hike and/or backpack over varied terrain and teach techniques for approaching that terrain.
Experience and knowledge of basic backcountry equipment or techniques, such as stove use, bear hangs, water purification, and/or shelter craft.
Experience and knowledge of reading maps and using them for navigation.
Ability to manage physical risks for oneself and participants, including terrain, weather, and wildlife interactions.
Current WFA and CPR certifications.
Current Washington State Food Handlers Permit.
Leave No Trace 101 Certification.
Ability to commute to the Cascade People’s Center in Seattle.
For authorized-driver status: be at least 21 years old, have held a driver’s license for at least three years, pass a drug screen, and meet YMCA driving-record standards.
Adhere to the organization’s abuse risk management standards.

Nice To Haves

Current WFR or W-EMT certification.
Knowledge of and previous experience with diverse populations, including differences in language, culture, race, physical ability, and sexual orientation.
Ability to speak a language in addition to English.
Experience with anti-racism practices.
Other applicable education, training, and experience that provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills needed to perform effectively in the position.

Responsibilities

Lead 5–15-day wilderness-based backpacking, paddling, rock climbing, or mountaineering courses with an emphasis on multicultural leadership.
Build rapport with participants and staff, foster positive group development, create structure, and draw learning from experiential activities.
Model cultural humility and celebrate diversity while working effectively with people of different identities, backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
Ensure a physically and emotionally safe and inclusive environment for youth and staff.
Transport participants in 14-passenger minibuses to and from program areas.
Manage the unique risks of outdoor climbing and mountaineering programs.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Adhere to abuse-prevention policies, maintain appropriate boundaries, complete required training, report suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and comply with mandated reporting requirements.