The goals of our Apprenticeship Program are to bolster our pipeline of new instructors with a key focus on recruiting people of color and members of communities not historically represented in the outdoor education field. Through the Challenge Course Apprenticeship Program, Apprentices gain a comprehensive entry-level understanding of outdoor education instruction and how to teach utilizing our Challenge Course.
For 12 weeks, they will have hands-on training working directly with students in a supervised capacity on our Challenge Course. Upon completion of the Apprenticeship Program, they will be prepared to promote to an Instructor level position (upon mastery of required skills). And will receive $350 to put toward a Wilderness First Aid course.
Insight Programs are full-day leadership experiences designed for students aged 12+ including adults, educators and veterans. The Insight Programs at Outward Bound California include ropes course, ground games, and initiatives to groups of participants (i.e., schools, community organizations, companies, etc.)
Who We Are
Outward Bound California (OBCA) is part of a national network of experiential and outdoor education programs, with a 50 year history in the US, serving over 40,000 students annually. OBCA uses unique experiences in natural settings to create social-emotional learning opportunities for our students to tap into their inherent potential as compassionate leaders and active participants in their communities.
We work with students on a range of programs, from 1-day experiences on our San Francisco Challenge Course to multi-day rock climbing, backpacking and mountaineering courses ranging from 7 to 65 days long. OBCA is deeply committed to opening up access for students and schools that have traditionally been excluded from outdoor spaces and programs and we do this through over 40 effective community partnerships. As a non-profit, more than 2/3 of our students receive partial or full scholarships to go on a course with us in the High Sierra, Southern California and in the Bay Area.
Equity and Inclusion Statement:
We believe that all people should have safe access to the outdoors and culturally relevant and responsive educational programming. OBCA is also striving to create an equitable and inclusive internal culture where all staff members feel represented and honored for their identities and lived experiences. We examine how power, bias, race and other aspects of identity impact our organization. We work to build a culture where we are always learning and improving toward a vision for equity and belonging for all staff. We are looking for team members who can actively join us in this process. We are also committed to reflecting the diverse communities with whom we work and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ identifying folks, and women to apply.
Who You Are
Passionate about working with youth, especially teens and middle schoolers
Lived experience or experience working with communities often underrepresented in the outdoors
Interested in learning how to facilitate social emotional learning
An effective communicator willing to give and receive feedback
Committed to creating inclusive spaces in the outdoors for communities diverse in age, racial, ethnic, physical ability, socioeconomic class and sexual orientation
Able to commit to 20 hours/week over 12 weeks
Interest in continuing to work the Challenge Course as an Instructor through the end of the season (Nov 5, 2022)
Additional Qualifications
At least 21 years old by April 12, 2022
Comfortable working outdoors, regardless of weather or season
Able to work weekends and nontraditional hours (earlier than 9am and later than 5pm)
Able to pass a federal background check, Live Scan background check, and provide current negative TB test results upon hire (cost of all screening paid for or reimbursed by OBCA)
Hold current Standard First Aid (8-hour training) & CPR
OBCA requires all field and program staff who have direct contact with our students to be fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC.
Physical & Mental Requirements
Sufficiently fit to participate in all course activities while maintaining ample energy, strength, and focus to aid students and instructors
Able to lift and transport 20-50 pounds of gear several times a day
Able to work outdoors, regardless of weather or season
Bonus if you…
Have prior experience with in experiential, outdoor, environmental education or youth development
Speak Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese
Hold a current Driver’s License
Responsibilities
Collaborate with Site Manager and Instructors to plan 1-Day challenge course program activities
Assist in instructing program activities
Learn basics of ropes course operation: personal safety equipment, belaying participants, spotting low elements
Create a safe and fun experience for all students
Role model inclusive behavior and build rapport with students and colleagues
Gain knowledge around program safety and Outward Bound policies and procedures
Other duties and responsibilities may be added to meet intern’s professional goals
Benefits, Compensation and Location
Compensation & Schedule
Starting hourly wage is $16.57/hr
This is a 12-week part-time program with opportunities to move up to Instructor and Lead Instructor directly after completion (dependent on mastering required skills).
This position works 2.5 days a week (20 hours/week)
Program operates Tuesday-Saturday, January 20, 2021 through November 5, 2021
Paid training week begins January 20 - 29, 2021 (8hrs/day)
Benefits
$350 to put toward Wilderness First Aid certification course
Highly energetic and supportive work environment in a mission-driven organization
Opportunity to enroll in supplemental, subsidized accident and injury insurance
Access to EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
Access to borrow OBCA school gear for field work
Access to free youth development training
Location
Most program days take place at the McLaren Park Ropes Course in southeast San Francisco. This position also operates out of our Bay Area program base in the Presidio, a national park in San Francisco. The basecamp consists of two buildings with offices, warehouse and kitchen
Outward Bound California is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Outward Bound California also promotes respect for all people, and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics.
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