The Camping Department of YMCA of the North is looking to hire a diverse team of enthusiastic, responsible and adventurous Trail Guides who are excited about youth development, outdoor recreation, wilderness travel and adventure education. The YMCA of the North is a leader in outdoor recreation, outdoor and adventure education, youth development and wilderness travel.

At Camp Menogyn, Trail Guides are first and foremost youth development professionals and mentors. Trail Guides use the context of our wilderness setting to build confidence, leadership and self-awareness in participants as well as build community within groups and with our natural environment. Our ideal applicants have experience in youth development and outdoor education as well as passion for spending time outdoors. Applicants should be ready to spend most of their time outdoors – skiing and snowshoeing. We are prepared to help Trail Guides develop technical skills for wilderness travel if you do not come with experience in these areas.

Our winter program focuses primarily on dog sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking. Trail guides will lead participants in guided day trips to a variety of local attractions in and near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Trail guides will assist participants and dog mushers with dog sledding activities. All staff in the winter program share in daily operations including: cooking, cleaning, guiding hikes, maintenance and customer service.

Benefits and Pay:

• Free seasonal YMCA Membership
• YMCA Program Discounts
• $90/day (depending on qualifications) food and lodging
• Subsidized Wilderness First Responder and Lifeguarding certifications

• Job Summary:

The Trail Guide is responsible group facilitation of teenagers, families, or adults- as well as program support.

• Essential Functions:

• Provide professional and culturally sensitive leadership to a diverse groups of participants
• Provide inclusive instruction about wilderness travel
• Participate in camp programs, such as campfires, group singing, and games
• Promote the core values – Equity, Honesty, Caring, Respect and Responsibility
• Enforce safety and health regulations and emergency procedures
• Participate in routine camp maintenance, facility upkeep, equipment repairs
• Other duties as assigned

• Relationships:

This position reports to both the Program Director and Executive Director. Trail Guides need to maintain professional, positive working relationships with the entire camp team.

• Qualifications:

Required:

Required certifications may be acquired after hire but must be completed before employee supervises participants in the backcountry:

• Lifeguard certification plus waterfront skills. The YMCA recognizes and accepts certifications from the following institutions: American Red Cross, YMCA, Star Guard, and Boy Scouts of America
• Basic Life Support/CPR for the Professional Rescuer (renewed annually). Must include adult, child, and infant 1 and 2 person and use of an AED.

• • The YMCA recognizes and accepts certifications from the following institutions: American Safety and Health Institute BLS, American Red Cross BLS or CPR for the Professional Rescuer, American Heart Association Basic Life Support.
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR).

• • The YMCA recognizes and accepts WFR certifications from a variety of institutions if they meet certain requirements. A full course must be at least 70 hours with a practical in-person component, must be called a “Wilderness First Responder” certification, and the institution providing the certification must have a medical director who is an MD and advises on the curriculum.
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Experience or education in wilderness risk management, camp counseling, outdoor education, outdoor recreation, youth development, or related field
• Demonstrated good judgement without direct supervision
• Ability to operate in an emotionally demanding environment without access to front-country support systems
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• A sense of adventure
• In addition, all YMCA employees who work with youth are subject to annual background checks.

Preferred:

• 1 season of experience leading wilderness trips, camp counseling or a related field
• Leadership experience with groups of youth
• Wilderness camping experience

• Work Conditions:

• Ability to communicate and work with groups of campers, adults and families
• Emotional awareness, health and stability to create a supportive, empowering and affirming environment for young people
• Visual, auditory, and decision-making ability to calmly and effectively identify and respond to environmental, human and other hazards related to remote travel.
• Ability to lift and carry a backpack weighing up to 60 lbs in rough and hilly terrain for extended periods of time.
• Ability to live and work outside in a wide variety of conditions including extreme weather.

• Additional Notes:

At all times the Trail Guide must keep the safety and enriching experience of the participants in the forefront of their thoughts and actions.

This job description represents the major functions of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive. The Trail Guide is also responsible for taking direction from the Executive Director and Program Director or their representatives in completing projects or performing duties deemed necessary for the Branch or Association success.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Pledge

The Y of the North is committed to the work and everyday practices of eliminating disparities and eradicating of unjust systems to become a multicultural, anti-racist and anti-oppressive organization. YMCA of the North team members and volunteers must exemplify the association’s mission, vision and values of caring, equity, honesty, respect and responsibility.

The YMCA of the North continues to develop plans and strategies to ensure team members and volunteers reflect the demographics of the communities we serve. We will continually conduct institutional racism and oppression review of our policies, procedures and practices in recruitment and selection; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; promotions; transfers; layoffs; terminations; and the ongoing development of a multicultural, anti-racist and anti-oppressive work environment and culture that promotes equity and respect for the human dignity of all. We value and respect this diversity and choose to be inclusive through our acceptance of all.