What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Outdoor Trip Leader position at Town of Blacksburg, VA?
General Definition of Work
The Outdoors Programs Division with Blacksburg Parks and Recreation Department offers an array of outdoor adventure and environmental education programs for coed youth groups and adults ranging in size from 6-15 participants along with a co-leader. Our programs highlight the natural beauty of the New River Valley and Southwest Virginia through canoeing, kayaking, climbing, camping, caving, hiking, biking, environmental education, and other outdoor programs.
Assistant Outdoor Adventure Trip Leaders will be responsible for assisting Trip Leaders with programs with groups of 6-15 participants, 11 years old and up, by providing sound judgment and decision-making skills to ensure the safety of each participant, instruct/facilitate programs and activities, manage group dynamics, and foster a safe and energetic atmosphere where participants can gain an appreciation for the natural world. Scheduled trips may include day and/or overnight trips, during the week and/or weekends.
Assistant Outdoor Adventure Trip Leaders must be comfortable assisting Trip Leaders in leading others in an outdoor setting, operating 15 passenger vans with trailers, and be comfortable staying some overnights in a rustic camping situation with little to no facilities or amenities.
Shift: Hours vary per program. Mostly weekends, some weekdays.
The Town of Blacksburg is an EEO Employer M/F/D/V
Essential Functions
- Assists Trip Leaders in leading groups of 6-15 participants on day and overnight trips in an outdoor setting
- Assists in the instruction/facilitation of outdoor adventure programs and activities
- Assists with the management of group dynamics and fostering a safe and energetic atmosphere
- Operates 15 passenger vans with trailers in a safe and proper manner
- Provides sound judgment and decision making skills to ensure the safety of each participant
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Applicants must demonstrate basic technical skills in canoeing, kayaking, climbing, camping, caving, hiking, and environmental education and be in good physical condition
- Experience driving a 15 passenger van towing a trailer is preferred but not required
- High school diploma or GED certification required and 2-3 years of experience in outdoor adventure activities
- Applicants must have a valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record and be at least 18 yrs or older
- Applicants should have or be able to obtain a current CPR and Basic First Aid certification, (Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certifications are preferred but not required)
- Other outdoor certifications are a plus
Physical Requirements
- This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 50 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force
- Work regularly requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling and lifting
- Work has standard vision requirements
- Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas and instructions by means of the spoken word
- Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound
- Work requires operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities
