Outdoor Education Facilitator

American Youth Foundation; Michigan; On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite housing

Meals provided

Professional development opportunities

Health insurance premium

Job summary

American Youth Foundation is seeking Seasonal CSP Facilitators to lead outdoor, experiential programs for diverse youth groups at Miniwanca in Shelby, Michigan. Facilitators live on-site during the program season, with housing and meals provided, and engage participants through hikes, environmental education, and team-building activities.

Ideal candidates are at least 21 with some college, friendly and organized, and holding First Aid/CPR certification.

Qualifications

• 21 years of age with at least one year of higher education or equivalent experience.
• Friendly, professional, and flexible, with a strong enthusiasm for working with young people.
• Work experience with youth.
• Ability to handle stressful situations while maintaining resiliency in a fast-paced setting.
• Organized, self-motivated, and committed to learning and growing.
• First Aid and CPR certification (training provided on site if necessary).
• Strong work ethic, demonstrated flexibility, and willingness to give and receive feedback.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate groups of youth in outdoor settings: lead hikes, challenge courses, environment-based education, debriefs, team-building, and evening programming.
• Prioritize risk management to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.
• Support programs: ready spaces, hang climbing ropes, prepare materials, and assist kitchen/facilities when needed.
• Facilitate small and large groups across ages, curricula, and programs.
• Participate in staff training covering experiential pedagogy and AYF facilitation frameworks.
• Assist with facility opening and closing at program start/end.
• Complete an individual project as approved by Program Directors.
• Support independent and collaborative projects to advance AYF and staff development.
• Fully participate in community activities and staff training.
• Follow AYF guidelines and policies as described in the staff manual.
• Support the organization’s mission and vision with integrity, dependability, and accountability.
• Other duties as needed.

Skills

Youth program leadership

First Aid CPR

Flexible and professional

Team collaboration

Education

Some college or equivalent experience

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

AYF offers year-round experiential education programs for school and community groups, focused on helping individuals achieve their personal best, foster positive communities, and build respect for themselves, others, and the environment through outdoor-based learning. CSP Facilitators engage directly with youth, leading experiential programs with a diverse range of participants across age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, neurodiversity, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Facilitators receive broad, interdisciplinary training and orientation across all aspects of year-round programming, facilitating a broad spectrum of ages, curricula, and programs. The American Youth Foundation is dedicated to supporting the professional growth of its facilitators, providing valuable learning experiences to develop their skills as effective educators, and aims to inspire facilitators to reach their full potential, explore their unique strengths, and grow as confident leaders in their careers.

Job Locations

• Miniwanca – Shelby, Michigan (Oceana County)
• Miniwanca necessitates the ability to move through rugged terrain.
• CSP Facilitators live onsite during the program season.
• Housing provided; Facilitators share a home and workplace with several fellow facilitators.
• Community meals provided while in programming.

Job Type

Seasonal

Job Benefits

• Onsite housing and meals (when in program) included
• Professional development opportunities
• $180 monthly health insurance premium is available for those paying for health insurance out-of-pocket (for Spring and Fall Contracts)

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

• Facilitate groups of youth in outdoor settings: lead hikes, challenge courses, environmental education curriculum, debriefs, team-building activities, and evening programming to promote experiential learning.
• Prioritize risk management to create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants.
• Support programs: ready program spaces for use, hang climbing ropes, prepare materials for facilitators, and support kitchen and facilities operations when necessary.
• Facilitate small and large groups across a broad spectrum of ages, curricula, and programs.
• Participate in staff training covering topics such as experiential pedagogy and philosophy, high and team challenge course facilitation, waterfront/boathouse management, ecology and environmental education facilitation, meal procedures, evening activities, and AYF facilitation frameworks.
• Assist with facility opening and closing at the start and end of the program season.
• Complete an individual project as approved or determined by Program Directors.
• Support possible independent and collaborative projects to advance AYF, staff development workshops, off-site team activities, and school site visits.
• Fully participate in and be present at all community activities, including staff training activities.
• Follow all guidelines and policies as described in the AYF (American Youth Foundation) staff manual.
• Support the organization’s mission and vision with integrity, dependability, and accountability.
• Other duties as needed.

Requirements

Skills and Qualifications

Required

• 21 years of age with at least one year of higher education or equivalent experience (or currently a Junior/Senior in college).
• Friendly, professional, and flexible, with a strong enthusiasm for working with young people.
• Work experience with youth.
• Ability to handle stressful situations while maintaining the mental, emotional, and social resiliency needed for the job in a fast-paced, interactive environment.
• Organized, self-motivated, and committed to learning and growing professionally.
• First Aid and CPR certification (training provided on site if necessary).
• Strong work ethic, demonstrated flexibility, and a willingness to give and receive feedback.

Preferred

• Basic facilitation experience in an outdoor, experiential, or classroom setting.
• Experience facilitating groups of youth in settings involving challenge courses, outdoor and experiential education, or summer camp.
• Experience with ropes courses, lifeguarding, outdoor skills, environmental education, wilderness programming, or wilderness emergency response (WFA/WFR).
• Driver’s license and clean driving record.

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.