EOE STATEMENT
At Voyageur Outward Bound School we strive to embody our values, including diversity and inclusion. VOBS is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and supporting a vision of equity for the future. This organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, military status, marital status, age, citizenship, or any other basis prohibited by law.  
LOCATION
Ely Base  
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
We challenge you to change a life.
We challenge you to change your community.
We challenge you to change the world!

The need for leaders of character and compassion is great.

For over 50 years, Voyageur Outward Bound School (VOBS) has changed lives through challenge and discovery. We know that personal discovery leads to positive transformation. Our students grow character and compassion through nature-based adventure. Our vision is more resilient and compassionate people for a more resilient and compassionate world.

Voyageur Outward Bound School is a charter of Outward Bound USA, the leading provider of experiential education for youth and adults. We design and deliver intensive single-day and extended wilderness expedition experiences that build and develop character, leadership and service through shared experience.

VOBS delivers high impact programs across three sites: Twin Cities Center in St Paul, MN, Homeplace Wilderness Basecamp in Ely, MN and Big Bend Basecamp in Redford, TX.

Our values are integrity, excellence, compassion, inclusion and safety. Our instructors are highly trained and experienced. We are proud to be recognized as one of the 100 Best places to work by Outside magazine for consecutive years.

Collaboration with educational and non-profit organizations is critical to our mission. We partner with schools, colleges, non-profit organizations and families to serve their youth and young adults with programs that support specific educational goals.
 
CATEGORY
Field Positions  
DESCRIPTION

Summary

The Assistant Instructor is an entry level position. Assistant Instructors will receive training in the Spring including wilderness travel training with other staff, technical trainings including rock climbing and ropes course, and training on VOBS curriculum and education philosophy. The training is intended to provide familiarity with VOBS policies, procedures, educational approach, as well as knowledge of the local course area (the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness). On-the-job training continues when the Assistant Instructor begins working in the field with student populations under the supervision of a Course Director and a Lead Instructor. The instructional team of Lead and Assistant Instructor are responsible for using a wilderness expedition as the means for delivering educationally-effective and safe Outward Bound courses to a wide-range of populations. During the summer season, the majority of work will be with youth and young adults, including but not limited to, the teenage at-risk youth population.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Trainee: participate in all required staff training including wilderness travel training, technical training(s), All Staff Orientation, wilderness water safety, and pre-course trainings (if applicable).
• Under supervision of the Course Director and Lead Instructor, collaborate to design and implement experiential wilderness expeditions that are in line with VOBS mission and educational philosophy and are tailored to the particular student population they are working with.
• Assist the Lead Instructor in maintaining physical and emotional safety of students and co-instructor during all course activities and manage field emergencies
• Assist the Lead Instructor in managing student behaviors, group dynamics, and facilitating group processes.
• Ensure adherence to local operating procedures, safety policies and emergency procedures as outlined in the field staff manual.
• Provide clear, effective and timely communication with co-instructor, Course Director and other staff.
• Work with Lead Instructor, Course Director, and Intercept Program Manager to facilitate workshops and restorative conferences with parents of the student participants if assigned to an Intercept course, VOBS at-risk youth and young adult programming.
• Work with Lead Instructor to plan expedition logistics including development of educational and technical curricula, route planning, and food and equipment planning and pack-out.

 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong desire to learn and eagerness to serve the mission.
• Ability to be flexible and positive in a dynamic, team-oriented work environment.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Passion for back country travel and community living and youth development
• Demonstrate competency in expedition skills including canoeing, portaging, backpacking, campcraft, map and compass navigation, expedition logistics and decision-making, and ability to teach these same skills.
• Demonstrate sound judgment in adverse situations and field emergencies.
• Demonstrate an ability to assess students’ ability and backcountry hazards to ensure all activities and travel options are safe and appropriate
• Strong commitment to professional development and personal growth.
• Willingness to role model the values VOBS seeks to teach to students.
• Ability to participate in moderate to rigorous physical activity including, but not limited to, paddling, backpacking, running, carrying canoes overland, swimming, rock climbing, kayaking.
• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds.
• Minimum age requirement is 21 years.
• Teambuilding, top-rope rock climbing, and high ropes course facilitation experience (preferred).
• Experience traveling in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) (preferred)

 

Education and Work Experience

• Professional expeditionary experience (NOLS, Outward Bound or similar organization) with minimum of 40 days in the field; some of which should be on extended wilderness expeditions.
• Teaching and/or group leadership experience.
• The following certifications (or the ability to obtain them after hiring) are required: Wilderness First Responder and CPR, Water Safety or Lifeguard Certification.
• Prior work with at-risk youth (preferred)

 

Compensation

• Pay is per diem pay according to VOBS’ Field Instructor Payscale for all preparation, duration, and completion of coursework.
• Room and board at Homeplace, VOBS wilderness basecamp on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, a 1.1 million-acre wilderness.
• Eligible for ProDeal (professional discounts from a variety of outdoor companies).
• Accident insurance available.

 

Dates

• Applications should be submitted online at www.vobs.org/jobs.
• Hiring happens on a rolling basis beginning in December and positions remain open until filled.
• Summer staff training will begin on ~ May 4, 2022
• All field staff schedules are dependent on student enrollment. As a result Assistant Instructors will not receive their specific work assignments until after spring training. Schedules are always schedule to change based on enrollment. Assistant Instructors must maintain flexibility during the peak season (May-August).
• Potential work opportunities into the Fall

 

 

Contact

For questions please contact

Abby Dare

Staffing Director

Phone | 218-491-6795

Email | [email protected]