The Challenge Course Facilitator position is an entry-level instructional position, providing familiarity with Outward Bound policies, procedures, and educational framework. OBCA is hiring a Challenge Course Facilitator to start in the 2021 Spring season. Insight Programs are full-day leadership experiences designed for students in grades 6-12. The Insight Programs at Outward Bound California include ropes course, ground games, and initiatives to groups of participants (i.e., schools, community organizations, companies, etc.) The Challenge Course Facilitator reports to the Bay Area Insight Program Manager. This individual is responsible for maintaining consistency among Insight programs and upholding our high quality of programs. The ideal candidate will be competent in facilitation and working with a variety of group types and ages.

Who You Are

An Educator

• Passionate about working with youth, especially teens and middle schoolers
• Have a deep understanding and personal commitment to equity and inclusion in the outdoors 
• Experience working effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds including age, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic class and members of the LGBTQ community 
• Role models inclusive behavior and build a positive group culture, while building rapport with students and colleagues
• Able to frame, facilitate, and debrief course activities in alignment with the Outward Bound mission
• Understanding of institutional and systemic barriers in outdoor recreation and committed to expanding access to the outdoors for under-represented communities 
• Dedicated to program delivery that is culturally responsive and relevant to participants
• Comfortable giving and receiving feedback, self-aware and growth-oriented
• Meet different learning-style needs by varying teaching techniques
• Able to frame, facilitate, and debrief course activities in alignment with the Outward Bound curriculum

Skilled in Experiential Facilitation

• Uses good judgement while making decisions regarding safe and effective use of the challenge course
• Familiar with belaying and spotting low and high ropes course activities
• Practice proper self-care and energy management while working outdoors
• Exercise sound judgment and decision-making, assessing and mitigating risk
• Consistently takes proactive measures to mitigate risk and allow maximum learning opportunities. 

Additional Qualifications

• 21 years of age or older
• Comfortable working outdoors, regardless of weather or season
• Able to work weekends and nontraditional hours (earlier than 9am and later than 5pm)
• Able to pass a federal background check, Live Scan background check, and provide current negative TB test results upon hire (cost of all screening paid for or reimbursed by OBCA)
• Hold, or are willing to obtain before start date, current Wilderness First Aid or higher, CPR, and California Food Handler certifications

Physical Requirements

• Sufficiently fit to participate in all site and course activities while maintaining ample energy, strength, and focus to aid students and instructors
• Able to lift and transport 20-50 pounds of gear several times a day
• Can be on feet most days – sometimes for up to 10 hours a day, possibly more in the case of an emergency
• Comfortable working outdoors, regardless of weather or season
• Comfortable climbing to height and efficiently moving own body to perform rescue and repair

Bonus if you…

• Have prior experience in experiential, outdoor, or environmental education programs (Outward Bound experience preferred)

• Speak Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese
• Hold an ACCT level 1, 2 or equivalent experience

Responsibilities

Ropes Course Operation

• Facilitate students through a 1-day challenge course program, including fitting personal safety equipment, belaying participants, spotting low elements and facilitating a safe and fun experience
• Facilitate effective belay school for student belayers, and coach for a safe and effective experience
• Effectively supervise and monitor student and group belay, taking reasonable steps to determine if the student or group is able to perform the role safely

Program and Educational Design

• Adhere to all  operating procedures, safety policies and emergency procedures outlined in the staff handbook
• Facilitate program for assigned group of students, utilizing Outward Bound values in conjunction with partner’s desired outcomes
• Assess students to ensure all activities are appropriate for demonstrated experience level, desired group outcomes and social/cultural needs and sequence/adapt activities appropriately as such
• Demonstrate cultural responsiveness and an ongoing desire to work with students from diverse backgrounds in the outdoors
• Show respect and compassion for others and create an emotionally safe environment for students and staff
• Consistently strive to give and receive feedback with co-workers and supervisor to cultivate a reflective learning community
• Facilitate effective & thorough belay school for student belayers, and coach for a safe and effective experience
• Staff shall provide opportunities for discovery and reflection appropriate for the experience

Emergency Management

• Clearly establish limits and boundaries for student behavior and independence
• Respond to or manage a student group in emergencies as needed and as appropriate
• Able to safely and efficiently perform high angle rescue in training and as needed
• Utilize organizational communication systems in the event of an emergency

Compensation & Schedule

• This is a part-time, hourly position, typically 3.5 days a week, March 15th through November 1st
• Starting hourly wage is $16.50 per hour
• Training begins March 15, 2021

Benefits

• All required trainings are paid
• Pro Deal, the opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at discounted rates
• Access to professional development funds and recertification reimbursements
• Opportunity to enroll in supplemental, subsidized accident/injury insurance coverage
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP), free of charge for staff and family members
• Highly energetic and supportive work environment in a mission-driven organization

Location

• This position is located at our Bay Area program base in the Presidio, a national park in San Francisco, California, just minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge. The basecamp consists of two buildings with offices, warehouse and kitchen.
• Most program days take place at the McLaren Park Ropes Course in southeast San Francisco.