Passage Way (Therapeutic Lifestyle) Instructor

Northwest Passage; Frederic (WI); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwest Passage in Wisconsin is seeking a PassageWay Instructor to provide instruction on practicing components of a therapeutic lifestyle for youth as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team. You will supervise and support residents in a residential setting, engaging in eight PassageWay elements and documenting progress.

The role runs Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, with a focus on safety, relationship-building, and adaptive activity planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in outdoor/experiential education, human services, or health education preferred.
• Comfort working in outdoor educational and leadership settings.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with colleagues and clients.
• A commitment to professional skill development and growth.
• Prior experience working with youth in a residential or mental health setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead eight therapeutic lifestyle components with youth (Nature, Recreation, Relaxation, Nutrition, Exercise, Relationships, Service, Spirit).
• Supervise youth in residential, outdoor, and community settings.
• Integrate routines and rhythms to provide a safe and structured environment.
• Ensure that youths’ basic needs are met including nutrition, exercise, hygiene, and rest.
• Cultivate connections with youth from diverse backgrounds and model effective relational, communication, and conflict-management skills.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in outdoor and/or experiential education, human services field, or physical education/health education preferred

Job description

At Northwest Passage, we focus on mental health and wellness through the adoption of our PassageWay Elements: Nature, Recreation, Relaxation, Nutrition, Exercise, Relationships, Service, and Spirit. These elements are central to our approach, combining traditional mental health treatment with arts, education, nature-based therapy, and experiential opportunities. Since 1978, we've been dedicated to providing high-quality care in a community dedicated in hope, recovery, and wellness. Our facilities in Northwest Wisconsin offer a peaceful environment for our clients and staff, with easy access to activities and resources near Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, and Eau Claire.

Northwest Passage proudly serves individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, and we are committed to providing an environment where all feel welcomed and supported. Northwest Passage looks to build our team with candidates who are dedicated to providing exceptional care and support to all of our clients, demonstrating resilience, determination, collaboration, teamwork, and a strong work ethic. At Northwest Passage, you will foster hope through your involvement in the healing process. Guided by the PassageWay Elements, we strive to create a positive environment for growth and wellness for both our clients and staff.

Position Description

The PassageWay Instructor is responsible for providing instruction on practicing components of a therapeutic lifestyle to youth as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team. The position provides direct care, supervision, and support to youth in a residential treatment setting. This includes supervising and engaging in activities consistent with a therapeutic lifestyle, tracking and reporting on resident’s progress, and serving as a positive role model.

The schedule is Monday-Friday 7:30 am-3:30 pm.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Work with residents across a broad range (K-12) to improve their overall physical and emotional health through the development of eight therapeutic lifestyle components consistent with the PassageWay: Nature, Recreation, Relaxation, Nutrition, Exercise, Relationships, Service, and Spirit
• Lead fitness programs that include traditional approaches to fitness, as well as yoga, canoeing, kayaking, cross country skiing, rock climbing, and other outdoor activities.
• Provide close supervision of youth across residential, outdoor, and community settings.
• Integrate routines and rhythms to provide a safe and structured environment.
• Ensure that youths’ basic needs are met including nutrition, exercise, hygiene, and rest.
• Cultivate connections with youth from diverse backgrounds and model effective relational, communication, and conflict-management skills.
• Build a curious, attuned stance to understand the emotions, needs, and experiences that drive youth behaviors.
• Effectively respond to youths’ behaviors by being proactive, identifying patterns, meeting needs, supporting regulation, and purposefully using behavior response strategies such as praise and reinforcement, problem-solving, and limit-setting.
• Utilize least restrictive measures necessary to maintain safety, emphasizing connection and co-regulation.
• Build on youths’ strengths and assist them in developing a positive sense of self.
• Maintain awareness of personal responses to youth behavior and use strategies to maintain self-regulation.
• Assist youth in understanding of their emotional experience and their ability to tolerate, express, and manage their emotions through co-regulation and skill-building.
• Develop an understanding of mental health concepts, psychotropic medications, and client symptomology.
• Advocate for appropriate goals, wants, and needs of residents.
• Transport youth to off-campus activities using Northwest Passage vehicles, including 15-passenger vans.
• Complete all required documentation within expected timeframes and adhering to professional standards.
• Attend and engage in all required meetings and trainings.
• Maintain a clean and safe treatment environment.
• Understand and adhere to agency policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in outdoor and/or experiential education, human services field, or physical education/health education preferred.
• Confidence and comfort in outdoor educational and leadership settings.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with colleagues and clients.
• A commitment to professional skill development and growth.
• Prior experience working with you in a residential or mental health setting.

Values

In addition to responsibilities and qualifications, ideal candidates will show an understanding of and an ongoing dedication to actively applying Northwest Passage's values, which are embedded into each role:

• Quality & Adaptability
• Respect & Compassion
• Leadership & Courage
• Vision Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Savings with Discretionary Employer Match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Employer-Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Employer-Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Supplemental Health Benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance)
• Employee Assistance Program (mental health benefit)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs)
• Longevity Benefit
• Relocation Assistance
• Northwest Passage is a qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program for student loan forgiveness
• Tuition Assistance/Loan Reimbursement (available through an application and approval process)
• Unmatched real-world experience in the fields of mental health, experiential programming, and nature-based programming

Northwest Passage is an equal employment opportunity employer.