Cycling Specialist

American Youth Foundation; New Hampshire; On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Meals provided

Job summary

The American Youth Foundation seeks Cycling Specialists to join a staff team supporting 3–6 day cycling trips for youth aged 13–16. You will lead cycling safety instruction, manage bike maintenance, and accompany groups on trail segments across front- and back-country environments.

Housing and meals are provided, and you will be on-site during training and camp sessions. Staff live in shared housing on-site or in tents while on trail, with 24-hour availability for emergencies.

Qualifications

• Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid and CPR (training available onsite).
• Minimum age 21 or significant relevant experience may qualify candidates under 21.
• Extensive experience in bicycle touring, mountain biking, or bikepacking.
• Experience fixing and maintaining bicycles in the field (flat repair, spokes, wheel truing).
• Willingness to learn camping skills.
• 1–3 years working or volunteering with youth in recreational/educational settings.
• Demonstrated leadership and accountability.
• Ability to work with diverse groups and maintain professional boundaries.
• Strong commitment to youth development and safety.

Responsibilities

• Accompany trip groups on cycling trips and provide cycling safety and technique instruction, plus bike maintenance.
• Facilitate and teach cycling skills to campers.
• Help manage behavior and enforce community standards of respect.
• Ensure camper safety at all times and respond to emergencies on trail.
• Build relationships with campers to foster inclusivity and positive dynamics.
• Maintain professional boundaries with campers and supervisees.
• Coordinate daily with supervisor and attend staff meetings; follow trip routes and trail safety guidance.
• Contribute to logistics and gear care when in-camp.
• Participate in all camp programming and provide staff coverage as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Wilderness First Responder

CPR

Bicycle touring

Mountain biking

Bike maintenance

Youth leadership

Camping skills

Team communication

Job description

Description

American Youth Foundation Mission

We dare people to discover and celebrate the very best in themselves and others; inspire them to explore diverse perspectives and complex challenges; and embolden them to live courageously, engaging their full capacity.

Job Summary

Cycling Specialists are part of a team of leaders facilitating 3–6-day cycling trips with youth aged 13–16. Rather than working with one group for the whole session, the Cycling Specialist accompanies groups of campers and their leaders on the cycling portion of their trip schedule. Trips take place in a mix of front- and back-country environments, on a mix of gravel trails and paved roads. Trip groups can be single-gender or coed and range in size from 4–10 campers with two adult leaders, and are supported by a vehicle that carries gear between campsites. Extensive training in element-specific safety, skills, and protocols is provided. When not on trail, Cycling Specialists fold into the logistics team and participate in all-camp programming and activities alongside campers and other staff.

Job Locations

• Merrowvista – Center Tuftonboro, New Hampshire
• The Merrowvista site necessitates the ability to move through rugged terrain.
• The Cycling Specialist lives onsite during staff training and the two camp sessions, in shared housing when onsite and in tents when on trail, including weekends and evenings, to be available 24 hours/day in case of emergency response.
• Housing and all meals are provided.

Job Type

Seasonal

Company Culture

The AYF believes that how we act and interact reflects who we are as a community. In practice, at the AYF we value investing in youth, stewarding the environment, encouraging participants and staff to explore and develop their values and beliefs, belonging in community, and growing together.

Recognizing the full value of all, the American Youth Foundation affords equal opportunity for employment and program participation to all individuals on the basis of merit and/or eligibility without regard to race, color, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Position Responsibilities

• Accompany trip groups on cycling trips and provide expertise on cycling safety and technique, as well as bike maintenance.
• Facilitate and teach cycling skills to campers.
• Help manage individual and group behavior on cycling trips: resolve conflict and enforce community standards of respect for all.
• Ensure the safety of campers at all times, following and implementing all safety standards, and assist campers in need throughout the day and night when on trail.
• Build relationships with campers to foster friendly, nurturing, and age-appropriate group dynamics.
• Maintain proper social boundaries with campers, ensuring all conduct and conversations are above reproach.
• Communicate daily with supervisor, attend staff meetings, and follow guidance and instruction from Coordinators, Managers, and Directors, especially pertaining to trip routes, logistics, and trail safety.
• Contribute to the logistics team when in-camp, including assisting with bike maintenance and care of gear.
• Participate in all camp programming: early morning and evening activities, meals, and daily reflections.
• Assist with camp programming and provide staff coverage when needed.
• This is not meant to be a complete list of all responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• Wilderness First Responder, or Wilderness First Aid and CPR (training available onsite for employees needing certification).
• Minimum age: 21 years old (proof of significant relevant experience may make candidates under 21 eligible).
• Extensive experience in one or more of the following: bicycle touring, mountain biking, or bikepacking.
• Experience fixing and maintaining bicycles in the field (e.g., fixing flats, broken spokes, truing wheels).
• Possess or be willing to learn camping skills.
• 1–3 years working or volunteering with youth in recreational or educational settings.
• Academic or professional experience from which leadership experience and/or skills have been gained.
• Support the organization’s mission and vision with integrity, dependability, and accountability.
• Interact effectively with individuals and groups respecting social and cultural diversity. Establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships and interpersonal skills that contribute to a positive community.
• Demonstrate passion for serving youth, encouraging campers to explore through play and creating a space where youth feel included and a sense of belonging.
• Fully participate in and be present at all camp community activities, including staff training activities.
• Maintain effective mental, emotional, and social interactions in our youth-centered residential summer camp program.
• Ability to handle stressful situations appropriately, maintaining mental, emotional, and social resiliency needed for the job in a fast-paced, interactive environment.
• Use effective and appropriate self-care practices for maintaining overall wellness.
• Follow all guidelines and policies as described in the AYF (American Youth Foundation) staff manual.

Preferred:

• Professional or academic experience in the field of outdoor or experiential education or a related field.
• A personality and character that exudes leadership, flexibility, trustworthiness, creativity, energy, inspiration, and positivity.
• Professional experience leading multi-day cycling trips.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required for this position. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.