Field Instructor: Youth LEAD Program
Posted by Environmental Traveling Companions on 03/31/2023
Job Basics
Industry Sector: Action, Outdoor, WaterSports
Job Categories: Camp Staff & Counselors, Guide (raft,fish,bike hunt,horse etc.), Outdoor Education, Outfitter- Adventure Travel Staff
Company Type: Conservation, Intern, NaturalResources, Recreation, TravelandTourism
State: CA
City: San Francisco
Country:
Required Experience: 1 - 3 years
Contact Name: Isabela Celedon
Contact Phone: 4154747662 ext 16
Job Type: Seasonal Full Time
Salary: $125/day starting
Required to Relocate: Yes
Required to Travel:
Employee May Telecommute: No
Job Seeker Must Live Within:
Job Description & Requirements
Organization & Program Description:
Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC) is a volunteer-based nonprofit providing the joy and challenge of outdoor adventures to people with all abilities and from all backgrounds since 1972. We inspire self-confidence, connection to nature, and community-based environmental stewardship through accessible sea kayaking, rafting, and multi-week expeditions for youth from historically marginalized backgrounds.
The Youth LEAD Program (YLP) is one of ETC’s three main programs. We provide life-changing outdoor experiences for youth from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds, focusing on technical outdoor skills, environmental education, socio-emotional growth, and leadership development. Our 14-to-21-day courses incorporate sea kayaking, rafting, and backpacking. Students learn about themselves, their community of peers, natural history, and environmental science through lessons, storytelling, community-building, and adventure in the wilderness.
2023 Course Dates & Details:
Note: All Field Instructors are required to attend ETC’s YLP 5-day Instructor Training in the San Francisco Bay Area (dates below). Before each Course, Field Instructors are required to attend 3-4 preparation days in San Francisco, working alongside co-instructors and ETC staff to organize gear, meals, and lessons. After the Course, Field Instructors are required to attend one post debrief day in San Francisco.
Positions:
Each YLP Course has a team of one Lead Instructor, one Instructor, and one YLP Fellow Field Intern. This core Instructor Team is supported by 3-6 ETC Volunteers during the sea kayak and rafting portions of each Course (depending on the activities of the Course).
- The Lead Instructor position is for individuals with exceptional technical and interpersonal skills, advanced medical wilderness certification, and previous experience with ETC. Most Lead Instructors have worked a minimum of one Youth LEAD course or have extensive experience with another ETC program.
- The Instructor position is for individuals with experience and competence in the outdoor education and/or wilderness guiding fields.
- The YLP Fellow Field Interns are youth who have participated in a YLP summer course and the YLP Fellowship. They are growing towards becoming amazing future Instructors!
Compensation:
- $140/day starting wage for Lead Instructors (for course days and prep/post days)
- $125/day starting wage for Instructors (for course days and prep/post days)
- All receive $400 for participating in the 5-day Instructor Training
- Early signing bonus: $100 per course if contract signed before February 16th, 2023
- Optional: YLP Instructors are invited and encouraged to join ETC’s Inclusion Training (May 20-21, 2023) and YLP Instructor River Trip in August 2023 (exact dates TBD)
Responsibilities:
- Attend a mandatory field staff training from June 5th - June 9th in the SF Bay Area, including an overnight kayak camping component from June 7th - 9th.
- Work collaboratively and communicate compassionately with the core Instructor Team and 3-6 ETC Volunteer Sea Kayak/River Guides to safely instruct 10-12 high school students on the Course.
- Engage students in meaningful, honest, safe community as a starting point for genuine learning in the outdoors. Hold space for their individual strengths and areas for growth.
- Learn ETC environmental science and leadership lessons during field staff training and deliver engaging lessons and activities in the field.
- Prepare course components including food packing, gear packing, lesson organization, and daily flow (with support from ETC office staff).
- Demonstrate and model excellence in personal organization while living and traveling in campgrounds and backcountry settings for 14-21 days.
- Provide positive and encouraging support and guidance throughout all course activities.
- Instruct technical and interpersonal skills to encourage participant leadership growth and personal development.
- Safely manage and supervise all activities according to ETC operating policies, protocols, and procedures.
- Responsibly handle and care for all gear and equipment.
- Supervise and mentor high school aged YLP Fellow Field Intern who is a crucial member of the instructor team and part of ETC’s Youth LEAD Fellowship Program.
- Serve as a positive, authentic role model for participants, Assistant Instructors, and co-workers.
- Participate actively in post-course evaluations.
Qualifications:
-Age requirement: 20+
-Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Certification or higher before course begins; Wilderness First Responder certification highly preferred (some scholarships available)
-Hiring is dependent on criminal background check and DMV driver check
-Must have clean driving record
-Must have 2+ years licensed driving experience
-Ability to safely drive youth in a large SUV for up to 6 hours
-Previous experience as a leader in a backcountry setting during extended expeditions
-Ability to be present, responsive, and focused with student participants for 14-21 consecutive days
-Previous experience leading equity, diversity, and inclusion activities and/or facilitating programs with racially and socioeconomically diverse groups. Sensitivity to the needs of folks from these groups, especially in the outdoors (a historically white-dominated context), is crucial to this role
-If identified with a socially dominant group (white, wealthy, heterosexual, cis gender, etc): is committed to examining personal power and privilege and self-education about power dynamics
-Ability to communicate positively, value feedback, and excel in a strong team-oriented environment
-Experience with leading outdoor activities and lessons while fostering environmental curiosity, excitement, and stewardship
-Exemplifies patience and adaptability in dynamic outdoor situations, especially when challenges arise
-Open to different leadership styles and collaboration; celebrates individual uniqueness with goal of creating inclusive, safe spaces
Additional Preferred Experience:
-Experience as a sea kayak, backpack, and/or raft guide preferred
-Bilingual (English/Spanish)
-Class B Commercial Driver’s License
-Comfort navigating both on and off trail in alpine environments, particularly in the Sierra Nevadas
Transportation and Lodging:
Instructors must provide their own lodging and transportation to/from Fort Mason Center in San Francisco on June 5 & 6th for Instructor Training, as well as the 3-4 preparation days before course
How to Apply:
Thank you for your interest! Please send a resume and cover letter detailing your qualifications, related experience, and which course(s) you're interested in to Isabela Celedón at ylp@etctrips.org. If you have any questions about the position, please email ylp@etctrips.org or call 415-474-7662 ext.16.
