BOLD & GOLD Operations Specialist and Wilderness Instructor
About the role
BOLD & GOLD is a program of the Camping & Outdoor Leadership branch of the YMCA of Greater Seattle. We offer year-round partnership programs and summer expedition experiences in the Pacific Northwest.
Responsibilities
- Lead 5-15 day wilderness-based backpacking, paddling, rock climbing or mountaineering courses with an emphasis on multicultural leadership.
- Build strong rapport with participants and staff, foster positive group development, create structure, and draw learning from experiential activities.
- Model cultural humility and celebrate diversity, effectively working with people of different identities, backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
- Ensure both a physically and emotionally safe and inclusive environment for youth and staff.
- Transport participants in 14-passenger mini-buses to and from program areas.
- Manage the unique risks of outdoor climbing and mountaineering programs.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Two or more 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 developmental needs of teens; demonstrates an understanding of the needs of teens and the ability to evaluate their needs individually.
- Experience making the transference of a wilderness experience 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 a variety of terrain and teach techniques for approaching that type of terrain.
- Have experience and knowledge of basic backcountry equipment or techniques such as stove use, bear hangs, water purification, and/or shelter craft.
- Have experience and knowledge of reading maps and using them for navigation.
- Effectively manage physical risks for yourself and participants including terrain, weather, and wildlife interactions.
- Current WFA and CPR Certification*
- Current Washington State Food Handlers Permit*
- Leave No Trace 101 Certification*
Benefits
- Individual membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle
- Free access to mental health resources
- Rapidly accruing paid time off (PTO)
- Subsidized ORCA Transit Pass
- Access to discounted gear and equipment through pro deals
Pay
$135.00-$165.00/day
Schedule
This is a seasonal exempt position and staff are paid a daily rate. There is an optional Backcountry Skills Training in early June that new staff are encouraged to attend. All Staff Training occurs in mid-June and instructors can expect to have three to five field-weeks of work (usually about 35 - 55 working days) between late June and late August.
Travel
BOLD & GOLD employees must be able to commute to the Cascade People’s Center, 309 Pontius Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109. Parking is not available onsite, but there is paid public parking located around the building. The area is serviced by several public bus routes. All travel required for work will be done in YMCA vehicles. This is an Authorized Driver position, read more in the Position Requirements.
Code of Conduct for Applicants
All employees and volunteers are responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries, completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements. Responsible for ensuring staff are properly screened, trained, supervised and held accountable to the organization’s abuse risk management standards.
Position Requirements
- Driving duties for this role are Required.
- To become an authorized driver, you must be 21+, have possessed a driver's license for at least 3 years, and pass a drug screen that will test for impairing substances (including marijuana) in addition to meeting the driving record standards below:
- YGS Driving Record Standards