Summer Staff Kidder Creek Adventure Guide/Wilderness

Mount Hermon Association Incorporated; Etna (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Mount Hermon Association Incorporated is seeking an Adventure Guide/Wilderness to lead and support campers and staff on rivers, ropes courses, and wilderness treks. The role involves facilitating activities and ensuring a faith-centered, safe experience aligned with MHA’s mission.

The position requires CPR/WFA, River Guide School, Swift Water Rescue, and ropes/lead training, while prior camp experience and a willingness to work in outdoor environments are essential.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of college experience preferred.
• CPR/WFA certification required prior to summer.
• River Guide School and Swift Water Rescue certifications required before summer.
• Experience with ropes courses, rock climbing, backpacking, or river guiding preferred.
• Must be 18+ and eligible to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead adventure trips on the river, at camp ropes courses, and in wilderness areas.
• Maintain equipment with regular inspections and timely reports of damage.
• Transport campers to activities and ensure safety during all adventures.
• Assist with food preparation at river, wilderness, and camp sites.
• Host Outback adventures and debrief with campers, relating experiences to Biblical truths.

Skills

Adventure guiding

River guiding

Outdoor leadership

Gospel sharing

Team player

Education

Some college

Driver's license

Tools

CPR/WFA certification

River Guide School

Swift Water Rescue

Ropes/lead training

Job description

Position Objective:The Kidder Creek (“KC”) Adventure Guide/Wilderness is responsible to assist and lead campers and staff on the river and to facilitate ropes course activities, rock climbing, backpacking, biking, and other adventure/recreation activities to ensure that campers have an adventure experience in a manner consistent with MHA’s mission, vision and values.General Qualifications:The Kidder Creek (“KC”) Adventure Guide/Wilderness is a Ministerial position. Ministerial staff render their work, stewardship, relationships and behavior as evidence of being followers of Jesus Christ while embracing and affirming Mount Hermon Association, Inc.’s (“MHA”) Christian mission, vision, beliefs, culture code and standards of conduct. They are responsible for defining, cultivating and leading MHA’s Christian community, conference programs and retreats. All staff are expected to join gatherings, which includes prayer, worship, and Bible-centered teaching.Key Job Accountabilities:Guide adventure trips as assigned on the river, at camp on ropes courses and in the national forest and wilderness areas around KC Camp.Care for and maintain all river, adventure and recreation equipment, conduct daily and regular inspections and provide timely reports of damaged or broken equipment.Transport campers to and from wilderness, adventure, river and camp activities.Ensure the safety of all campers in adventure and river activities while guiding/facilitating.Assist with food prep while at the river, in the wilderness, and at The Outback.Host outback adventure, wilderness backpacking, and River groups and assist with KC programs when adventure activities are not operating.Lead debriefs with campers and relate activities and experiences to applicable Biblical truth.Adventure guides may be asked to rotate into guide/counselor positions for camp programs.Other duties as assigned by supervisorsOversee and implement a variety of adventure, recreation, and guiding activities as assigned, with enthusiasm, including 1-2 trips into the wilderness throughout the summer.Ensure camper safety at all times.Share in the responsibilities of keeping camp areas clean and orderly (including cabins, living areas, workspaces and supplies).Actively participate in and contribute to the broader program with enthusiasm.Actively engage and help build the summer staff community with attitude, words, and actions.Ensure smooth execution of the program specifically by being on time, prepared, and willing to assist with immediate and/or unforeseen needs.Perform housekeeping & kitchen duties during rotation weeks including, but not limited to, dishes, bathrooms, trash, etc.Ride the transportation bus as a chaperone one weekend.Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisors.Supervisory Responsibilities:NoneEducation/Certifications/Licenses:At least 1 year of college experience preferred.Current valid driver’s license and a clean driving record required.Must be CPR/WFA (Wilderness First Aid) certified prior to summer.Must have successfully completed KC’s River Guide School and Swift Water Rescue (or equivalent course from another provider) prior to summer.Must take and pass rock training during KC’s staff training.Must take ropes lead training and pass ropes guide/lead during KC staff training.Food Handler’s Card.Work Experience:Prior experience working with elementary, junior high and high school students.Experience with ropes courses, rock climbing, backpacking, hiking and/or river guiding preferred.Prior camp counseling experience preferred.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Ability to articulate the gospel of Jesus Christ as communicated in Scripture.Ability to demonstrate a personal, committed and thought-through faith in Christ.Positive role model, listener, enthusiastic leader, and friend.Ability to follow-through, be creative, and adjust to challenges of the program.Ability to engage in a variety of outdoor activities and demonstrate sound judgment.Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing job assignments and schedules with short notice.Physical Demands:The physical environment requires the employee to work both inside and outside in the heat/cold, wet/humid and dry/arid conditions.Requires sitting, standing squatting, stooping, twisting and hiking long distances on varied terrain, swimming, climbing and shouting.Requires employees to ascend and/or descend ladders, stairs, cables and trees using hands and feet.Requires lifting and transporting 15-60 lbs. of gear and equipment up and down stairs and over uneven terrain.Physical environment requires the employee to talk and hear from close and long distances in adverse conditions.Specific vision requirements of this job include close vision, distance vision, use of both eyes, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades; depth perception, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.Additional Requirements/Skills:Must be at least 18 years of age due to the requirement for onsite community living.Willingness to drive campers in camp vehicles. Must agree to and comply with MHA’s employee driving guidelines for MHA owned vehicles and use of personal vehicles for business purposes. Adherence to the basic principles as expressed in MHA’s Mission, Vision, Values and Commitment statements.Adherence to company dress code and professional standards for personal grooming and appearance.Satisfactory completion of background investigation as well as ability to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States