Outdoor Recreation Lead Program Instructor - Day Camps (Full-Time/Part-Time; Seasonal)

Description

Mountain Recreation offers a fun, exciting environment to our participants and staff alike; one that fosters skill building, movement, life skills and fun! Applicants must be enthusiastic, have strong skills in working as a team with coworkers and show strong communication and class management skills.

We’re seeking passionate and skilled individuals to fill a leadership role in our Outdoor Recreation department and its diverse Day Camps Programs. Activities include mountain biking, rock climbing, nature art, survival skills, environmental stewardship projects, outdoor education, skateboarding, hiking, and stand up paddleboarding for the summer season. This position will work as a part of the Outdoor Recreation Programs Team to facilitate recreation programs in an assigned area, providing high quality recreation opportunities for the community in partnership with SOS Outreach.

See Outdoor Recreation Overnight Programs Guide application on the website if interested in leading backpacking and camping programs for youth.

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POSITION DETAILS

Job Title: Outdoor Recreation Lead Program Instructor – Day Camps

Location: District-wide • Edwards Field House (Edwards, CO), Eagle Pool & Ice Rink (Eagle, CO), Gypsum Recreation Center (Gypsum, CO)

Schedule: Full-Time and Part-Time; Seasonal

• Option 1: Early-May – Late-September (involves overnight guiding)
• Option 2: Early June – Mid-August
• Option 3: A combination of Option 1 and 2

Work Environment: Hours will be flexible to successfully accomplish the duties of the position. Duties may be performed either indoors or outdoors, which may include working in extreme weather conditions. The flow of work and character of duties involve normal mental and visual attention much or all the time. Physical exertion includes frequent walking, bending and the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted, pushing, pulling, and kneeling to deliver equipment and supplies. The nature of the position is physically demanding and stressful, requiring constant safety awareness and attending to a wide variety of participant needs with periods of continuous demand.

Supervision Required: Works under the general guidance and direction of the Mountain Recreation Outdoor Recreation Supervisor and Outdoor Recreation Coordinator.

Supervision Exercised: May directly supervise part-time and seasonal employees, volunteers, guides in training, Program Instructors, and campers.

Salary: $20.47 - $25.59/hour; DOE. Staff in this position are eligible for a $1/hour incentive for Spanish/English bilingual and can pass the language competency test.

Benefits: 3.75% employer contribution to a 401(a) retirement account, accrued sick leave in accordance with HFWA, access to all three Mountain Recreation facilities and complimentary membership for employee to Gypsum Recreation Center, 20% off discount for employee and immediate family for facility programs, discounted punch cards for immediate family members to Gypsum Recreation Center, student scholarship opportunities, opportunity to sign up for Vail Valley Partnership’s One Valley Healthcare Plan—an affordable healthcare program providing medical coverage for employee’s and their families.

Mountain Recreation believes everyone, including staff, deserves to be healthy and happy through creating a culture of accountability, flexibility, and providing world-class benefits. For more information on employee benefits, check out our website https://mountainrec.org/benefits-overview/

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ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General Statement of Duties: Lead groups of youth ages 7-10 and 11-14 years old in outdoor recreation activities including mountain biking, rock climbing, nature art, survival skills, environmental stewardship projects, outdoor education, skateboarding, hiking, and stand up paddleboarding with an Assistant Instructor. Day Camps range from 3-5 full-day or half-day programs. Group sizes are 10-12 youth.

Examples of Duties:

• Safely lead outdoor recreation activities for youth in wilderness and front country settings
• Refer to weekly program folders for schedule, designated activities, rosters, and Risk Management documents.
• Teach outdoor recreation skills and abilities to youth and facilitate team bonding activities.
• Explain and uphold rules and expectations for youth; responsible for individual and group behavior management.
• Greet and interact with families during camper check-in and out in a friendly and professional manner.
• Manage risk in the field to provide a safe, positive, and enjoyable experience for campers and fellow staff.
• Drive district van to transport participants to various field sites.
• Implement risk management practices as the point contact/leader of respective program(s).
• Oversee the safety, comfort, and progress of participants and fellow staff in various activities.
• In programs, supervise assistant Instructors and Guides in Training by coaching and mentoring these younger and/or less experienced staff.
• May assist with special events for partner organizations to serve mixed age groups.
• Communicate with other program staff regarding facility, equipment, and supply needs.
• Provide exemplary customer service to internal and external guests
• Work with other organizations not limited to: Recreation Departments, School Districts, Towns, Counties, Special Districts, Non-Profits, and Sport Associations.
• Inspect program spaces and equipment as needed to ensure a safe and positive experience for participants.
• Plan, organize, and implement curriculum based upon program specialty, objectives, and guidelines.
• Set up, take down, clean-up after programs as required.
• Respond to accidents and incidents according to procedures and acts as Incident Commander in emergencies.
• Attend staff training prior to the start of programming to receive important tools for working with youth, how to lead outdoor recreation activities safely and enjoyably, and take part in team bonding with fellow staff members.
• Act as a mandatory reporter and complies with mandatory reporting guidelines.
• Maintain and care for program facilities, equipment, and supplies.
• May assist with special events for partner organizations to serve mixed age groups.
• Instruct various recreational classes as needed or directed by Mountain Recreation and in partnership with SOS Outreach.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

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Requirements

COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Considerable knowledge of:

• Child development and age-appropriate activities
• Outdoor recreation experience
• Leadership experience in group facilitation in a camp/outdoor education setting
• Recreation program risk management
• Facilities and equipment in assigned program area
• Working as a team player
• A desire to make a positive difference in the community.

Skills and abilities:

• Demonstrate strong organizational, leadership, planning and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication skills
• Customer service skills
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment while paying attention to detail
• Have a positive attitude and good sense of humor and strong communication skills
• Experience, comfort, and passion in working with youth outdoors
• Establish and maintain positive, respectful, and cooperative relationships with all program contacts
• Lift, restrain, and run after participants
• Lift equipment and supplies
• Work cooperatively with others and create positive relationships with other staff and the public.:

Requirements:

Education and experience:

• Be 18 years of age or older (strong preference given to those ages 21 ); AND
• Currently studying recreation or related field; OR
• Recently graduated from a recreation program or related field; OR
• 1-3 years of experience in outdoor recreation and/or youth serving programs; OR
• Any satisfactory combination of experience and education which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and ability to perform the above-described duties.
• Physically fit: Day hiking involves 2-4 miles and up to 2,000’ elevation gains. Must be able to carry 30lbs. guide pack.
• Pass federal background check and Motor Vehicle check.
• Knowledge of Leave No Trace Practices.
• Prior experience working with youth and youth outdoor adventure programs.
• Rock climbing, hiking, wilderness travel, and team building experience (preferably in the Rocky Mountain Region).
• Spanish language proficiency and cultural literacy (preferred).

Certifications:

• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR, or the ability to obtain these certifications prior to beginning employment (required for any Explorer Camp Lead Program Instructors and certain sports programs leads). Preference will be given to candidates with an active WFR certification.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

You are welcome at Mountain Rec for who you are, no matter where you come from, what you look like, or what keeps you active. Recreation is for everyone—and so is our workplace. The more voices we have represented and amplified in our organization, the more we will all thrive, contribute, and be forward-thinking! So, bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It is in our differences that we will find the power to keep revolutionizing the way we PLAY.

Colorado Residents: We are committed to fair hiring practices. In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Salary : $20 - $26