Application Closed. Our next round of hiring is anticipated for the Fall of 2024.
Position Description
Ever dreamed of a career in the outdoors? Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of young people? Break away from the conventional workday and kickstart your career in experiential education with our 12-week Challenge Course Apprenticeship.
We will teach you everything you need to know to become an outdoor educator and ropes course facilitator at our Challenge Course in McLaren Park, San Francisco. Under the mentorship of our staff, you’ll learn how to tie knots, belay students, facilitate teamwork-building games, and safely run high and low ropes elements, all while making a positive impact on Bay Area youth. After successfully completing the Apprenticeship, you’ll have all the skills and experience you’ll to be promoted to an Instructor. As a bonus, you’ll receive $350 to put toward a Wilderness First Aid course. This program serves People of Color and members of communities not historically represented in the outdoor education field.
Compensation & Schedule
Starting hourly wage is $20.60/hr. This is a 12-week, part-time, non-exempt, hourly position, typically 2.5-3 days a week (~20 hrs/week). There are opportunities to promote to Instructor directly after completion of the apprenticeship (dependent on developing required skills) and continue work throughout the season.
Paid Training: Jan 29 - Feb 9, 2024 (8 hrs/day Mon-Fri)
Program Season: Tues-Sat, Feb 13 - Nov 8, 2024. Staff meet for a half day on Tuesdays. Student programs run Wednesday-Saturday, 8am-4pm. There is also an unpaid summer break of programs from June 10-15 & July 29-August 3, 2024. Availability of work is dependent on the number of booked programs.
Benefits
$350 to put toward Wilderness First Aid certification course
Paid Sick Time (72 hrs)
401K (with employer match) after 1-year of employment
Pro Deals (the opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at discounted rates)
Access to Employee Assistance Program (free access to Mental Health Counseling, Legal/Financial Resources, Work/Life Resources, and Life Coaching)
Access to professional development funds, youth development training, and recertification reimbursements
Location
Most program days take place at the McLaren Park Challenge Course in southeast San Francisco
Who We Are
Outward Bound California (OBCA) is a non-profit that uses challenging experiences in outdoor settings to create social-emotional learning opportunities for our students. We are a part of the Outward Bound USA network of outdoor education programs.
At the Challenge Course, we offer 1-day experiences for students aged 12+, including adults. We serve a variety of participant groups including schools, community organizations, and companies. To learn more about our course elements, check out the video tour.
OBCA is deeply committed to increasing access for students and schools that have traditionally been excluded from outdoor spaces. We do this through our 40+ community partnerships and offer partial or full scholarships to over 2/3 of our students.
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
Outward Bound California does not expect every applicant to have every skill and qualification listed here, and we are committed to the professional development of our employees. A strong candidate who is interested in growing and learning in this role will possess at least 75% of the following qualifications. If this is you, then we strongly encourage you to submit an application for consideration.
Qualifications
Passionate about working with youth, especially teens and middle schoolers
Have a deep understanding and personal commitment to equity and inclusion in the outdoors
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
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 8, 2024)
Comfortable working outdoors, regardless of weather or season
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
Can be on feet most days - sometimes for up to 8 hours a day
Comfortable working outdoors, regardless of weather or season
First Aid & CPR/AED (must meet EMSA requirements for childcare providers [i.e. requires an in-person assessment])
Other Requirements (by Start Date)
19 years old or older
Able to work Tuesdays and nontraditional hours (most programs run from 8am-4pm)
Able to pass a federal background & Live Scan check, MVR check (if you have a driver's license), and provide current (within the last 4 years) negative TB screen or test results upon hire (cost of all screening paid for or reimbursed by OBCA)
Bonus if you…
Have Saturday availability
Have prior experience with experiential, outdoor, environmental education or youth development
Speak Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese
Have held a valid US or Canadian driver’s license for at least 3 years
Responsibilities
Collaborate with Site Manager and Instructors to plan 1-Day challenge course program activities
Assist in facilitating 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 Apprentice’s professional goals
Uphold Outward Bound’s zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect. Protecting our minor students against abuse and neglect is of the highest priority
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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