BOLD & GOLD Fall Wilderness Instructor

Seattle YMCA; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

YMCA membership

Mental health resources

Paid time off

Transit pass

Pro deals

Job summary

YMCA of Greater Seattle is seeking a Wilderness Instructor to co-lead backcountry expeditions in the Pacific Northwest. You will supervise safety for up to 10 participants while engaging them in backpacking, rock climbing, paddling, and hiking, following a set itinerary and teaching leadership skills.

You will help participants develop confidence, teamwork, and resilience through experiential education in parks and wilderness areas across Washington.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience working with teens in an organized setting.
• Current WFA and CPR Certification.
• Current Washington State Food Handlers Permit.

Responsibilities

• Lead 1-5 day wilderness-based courses including backpacking, paddling, hiking, or climbing.
• Build strong rapport with participants, partners, and staff; foster positive group development and learning.
• Model cultural humility and celebrate diversity; work with people of different identities and abilities.
• Ensure a physically and emotionally safe and inclusive environment for youth and staff.
• Transport participants in 14-passenger minibuses to program areas and manage wilderness risks.

Skills

Outdoor leadership

Backpacking

Risk management

Communication

Cultural humility

CPR/First Aid

Job description

Overview

EQUITY STATEMENT

The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner.

Job Summary

Do you want to make a difference in the world and have fun while doing it? As a Wilderness Instructor, you and a co-lead will be responsible for the physical and emotional safety of up to 10 participants while engaging them in activities such as backpacking, rock climbing, paddling, and hiking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Instructors work from a set itinerary, manage the risks of backcountry travel, and facilitate a variety of workshops and activities that help participants develop their own leadership style.

BOLD & GOLD

BOLD & GOLD is dedicated to inspiring courage and confidence in diverse groups of youth through outdoor adventures. As a program of the Camping & Outdoor Leadership branch of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, BOLD & GOLD offers year-round partnership programs and summer expedition experiences. Partnership programs engage with schools, non‑profits, and community‑based organizations to design and implement transformative outdoor experiences. BOLD & GOLD experiences take place in Mt Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, National Forests, Washington State Parks, and local green spaces. Activities include backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing, and skills workshops. The goal of BOLD & GOLD is to increase confidence, courage, emotional intelligence, wonder, and community awareness in our participants. BOLD & GOLD believes these traits are the foundations of leadership and works to inspire participants to develop their own leadership style. BOLD & GOLD prepares young people to be the next generation of leaders through multicultural experiential education in the natural world.

Find out more at https://www.seattleymca.org/programs/camp-and-outdoor-leadership/bold-gold

Compensation

$135 - $165 / day

What you'll get from working at The Y:

• Individual membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle
• Free access to mental health resources
• Rapidly‑accruing paid time off (PTO)
• Subsidized ORCA Transit Pass
• Access to discounted gear and equipment through pro deals

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead 1-5 day wilderness-based backpacking, paddling, hiking, or rock climbing courses with an emphasis on multicultural leadership.
• Build strong rapport with participants, partners, and staff, foster positive group development, create structure, and draw learning from experiential activities.
• Model cultural humility and celebrate diversity, effectively working with people of different identities, backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
• Ensure both a physically and emotionally safe and inclusive environment for youth and staff.
• Transport participants in 14‑passenger mini‑buses to and from program areas.
• Manage the unique risks of wilderness‑based programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

BOLD & GOLD is based out of the Cascade People’s Center (CPC), located in Seattle, WA. BOLD & GOLD programming takes place in outdoor locations (e.g., national park, national forest, state park land, local green spaces) across Washington State.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Employees must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 50lbs, safely travel over varied terrain (trails, tree roots, boulder/rock fields, shoreline, mud, snow, ice) up to 10 miles per day, be comfortable spending multiple hours and/or days in a wilderness setting, communicate both verbally and non‑verbally with other staff, partners, and participants. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a seasonal exempt position and staff are paid a daily rate. There will be staff training days in early September. Instructors can expect to have intermittent days of work (usually about 10 – 30 working days) between September and end of October.

TRAVEL

BOLD & GOLD employees must be able to commute to the Cascade People’s Center, 309 Pontius Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109. Parking is not available onsite, but there is paid public parking located around the building. The area is serviced by several public bus routes. All travel required for work will be done in YMCA vehicles. This is an Authorized Driver position, read more in the Position Requirements.

Code of Conduct for Applicants

Qualifications

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Two or more years of experience working with teens in an organized setting, including facilitating activities that address issues facing adolescents.
• Excellent judgment and decision‑making skills.
• Strong group facilitation, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Knowledge of developmental needs of teens; demonstrates an understanding of the needs of teens and the ability to evaluate their needs individually.
• Experience making the transference of a wilderness experience relevant to the everyday lives of underserved youth.
• Personal or professional experience in backpacking, rock climbing, paddling, and/or hiking.
  1. Be able to hike and/or backpack over a variety of terrain and teach techniques for approaching that type of terrain.
  2. Have experience and knowledge of basic backcountry equipment or techniques such as stove use, bear hangs, water purification, and/or shelter craft.
  3. Have experience and knowledge of reading maps and using them for navigation.
  4. Effectively manage physical risks for yourself and participants including terrain, weather, and wildlife interactions.
• Other applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position will be considered.
• CurrentWFA and CPR Certification*
• Current Washington State Food Handlers Permit*
• This position requires driving:
  • 21 years of age or older
  • Current Driver’s License with a minimum 3 years safe driving experience and a driving record which meets or exceeds YMCA standards
  • Maximum one minor violation
  • No speeding violation of more than 20mph over the limit
  • YMCA Pre‑employment Drug Screening
  BOLD & GOLD uses 14‑passenger mini‑buses to transport passengers and equipment to trailheads and campsites. This includes driving on interstates, city streets, and rural roads

* Required by start date

Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

This position requires driving.

This safety‑sensitive role requires transporting clients as "authorized drivers" for The Y. Potential offers will be contingent upon meeting the following conditions: Being 21+, having a valid driver's license for at least three years, and possessing a driving record that meets Y standards (i.e., no more than two moving violations within the last three years; no significant incidents, such as reckless driving, DUI / DWI, tickets 20+ miles above the speed limit, etc., within the last 5 years). You must also pass a drug screen that will test for impairing substances, including marijuana.

YGS Driving Record Standards

Within the last three (3) years: No more than two (2) vehicle related suspension(s) and/or reinstatement(s). No more than two (2) moving violations and/or accidents. Moving violations include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Speeding
• Improper Lane Change
• Failure to Yield in Right‑of‑Way
• Failure to Obey Traffic Signal
• Failure to obey Traffic Sign

Within the last five (5) years: No Major Violations which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, BUI (Boating), Administrative Per Se, or Refusing to Test
• Driving with an open container of alcoholicolumn
• Reckless Driving
• Hit and Run – property damage only (Incidents resulting in injury fall under Permanent Disqualification)
• Racing
• Driving with a suspended/revoked license/insurance
• Speeding over 20 mph
• Fleeing and/or eluding police
• Any other felony driving conviction(s)

Driving records that result in permanent disqualification from driving duties:

• More than 3 DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, BUI, Administrative Per Se, or Refusing to Test for entirety of driving history.
• More than 3 Driving with a suspended/revoked license
• Hit and Run resulting in bodily injury or death
• Manslaughter/felony death by motor vehicle

Preferred Education and Experience

• Current WFR or W-EMT Certification.
• Knowledge of and previous experience with diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.). Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.
• Experience with anti‑racism practices.

MISSION STATEMENT

Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.

OUR VALUES

• Respect
• Responsibility
• Honesty
• Caring
• Passion for Excellence

YGS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law.

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