Wilderness Leadership Instructor — Empower Youth Outdoors

Seattle YMCA; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

YMCA membership

Mental health resources

Rapidly accruing paid time off

Subsidized ORCA Transit Pass

Access to discounted gear and pro-deal

Stay bonus for completing agreement

Job summary

Seattle YMCA's BOLD & GOLD program seeks Wilderness Instructors to lead 5–15 day expeditions across WA parks, guiding youth through backpacking, rock climbing, and leadership activities. You and a co-lead ensure safety and foster inclusive, culturally aware leadership development, while transporting participants and managing backcountry risks.

Seasonal, with field weeks June–August. Join the Cascade region team, based in Seattle, and contribute to transformative outdoor experiences for diverse

Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience working with teens in an organized setting.
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
• Strong group facilitation, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Knowledge of developmental needs of teens and ability to tailor approaches.
• Experience translating wilderness experiences to underserved youth.
• Personal or professional experience in backpacking, rock climbing, paddling, and/or mountaineering.
• Ability to hike/backpack over varied terrain and teach related techniques.
• Experience with basic backcountry equipment or techniques such as stove use, bear hangs, water purification, shelter craft.
• Experience reading maps and navigation.
• Ability to manage physical risks for participants and staff.
• Other education, training, and experience relevant to the role will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead 5–15 day wilderness-based backpacking, paddling, rock climbing or mountaineering courses with emphasis on multicultural leadership.
• Build strong rapport with participants and staff, foster group development, create structure, and draw learning from activities.
• Model cultural humility and celebrate diversity, working with people of different identities and backgrounds.
• Ensure a physically and emotionally safe and inclusive environment for youth and staff.
• Transport participants in 14-passenger minibuses to and from program areas.
• Manage the unique risks of outdoor climbing and mountaineering programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Teen program experience

Group facilitation

Cultural humility

Safety awareness

Backcountry travel

Leadership development

Education

WFA/CPR Certification

Washington State Food Handler Permit

Leave No Trace 101 Certification

Job description

Seattle YMCA's BOLD & GOLD program seeks Wilderness Instructors to lead 5–15 day expeditions across WA parks, guiding youth through backpacking, rock climbing, and leadership activities. You and a co-lead ensure safety and foster inclusive, culturally aware leadership development, while transporting participants and managing backcountry risks.

Seasonal, with field weeks June–August. Join the Cascade region team, based in Seattle, and contribute to transformative outdoor experiences for diverse