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.

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, 2020.
• 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

*Applications will be reviewed starting December 15, 2019

Contact

For questions please contact

Abby Dare

Associate Program Director – Staffing, Homeplace

Phone | 218-491-6795

Email | [email protected]