Excursion Instructor - Mill Hollow

this position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Excursion Program utilizes the outdoors as a tool for experiential leadership, learning, and growth. By providing a distraction-free environment and a culture of openness and acceptance, we provide teen participants opportunities to break through perceived barriers, build confidence, and value diversity as they discover what they are truly capable of. Activities include backpacking, climbing, boating, yoga /stretching, backcountry cooking, and having FUN! The Excursion Instructor is dedicated to inspiring courage and confidence in diverse groups of adolescent youth through outdoor adventures. Instructors prepare young people, from middle school to high school, to be the next generation of thought leaders through multicultural experiential education in the natural world. Instructors coordinate and execute in-field aspects of wilderness based programming, which includes all trip logistics and preparations (supported by the BOLD & GOLD Coordinators) and the physical and emotional safety and development of up to 10 participants, while engaging them in activities such as backpacking, climbing , boating and curriculum activities.

This job announcement is not intended to be inclusive of all functions, responsibilities and qualifications associated with the position, however, representative of the essential job functions and typical criteria considered necessary to successfully perform the position.

• Facilitate the learning and mastery of outdoor skills during wilderness-based trips.
• Create value-forming experiences for participants. 
• Be prepared to lead cabin groups through a variety of overnight experiences – with the primary focus being excursion programming, such as overnight adventure camp, introduction to backpacking and rock climbing, and BOLD & GOLD trips – and support the resident camp programming by serving as a cabin counselor when needed.
• Create an inclusive and brave environment for all in the outdoors through an IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access) lens.
• Learn and implement conflict mediation, restorative practice, and YMCA youth development skills.
• Provide safe, meaningful, and fun experiences for youth during teen adventure programs.
• Maintain program equipment in good working order. Encourage respect for personal property, camp equipment, facilities, and the environment.
• Initiate safe, supportive, and fostering 1-on-1s with each participant throughout each trip.
• Role model and encourage challenges to be used as learning moments for the group.
• Enrich the program participant experience by helping youth to connect with one another and to the YMCA. 
• Nurtures youth through purposeful programming; plans activities that are intended to achieve program goals and outcomes, are culturally relevant, are developmentally appropriate, and are consistent with the Y’s values.
• Creates a positive rapport and shared interest with all youth; models relationship-building skills in all interactions.
• Provides opportunities for youth to lead, problem-solve, and make decisions and choices within the program and provides daily opportunities for youth to reflect on and respond to their experiences.
• Prepares food and equipment prior to all trips and ensures that it is cleaned and properly stored after each trip. 
• Assist in surveying participants and capturing weekly stories from groups along with the Coordinators.
• Attends and participates in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training, including weekly debriefing meetings with coordinators.
• Follows all policies, procedures, and standards as established by the law and/or the Y (e.g., safety or emergency procedures, behavior guidance strategies, child abuse prevention policies); makes ADA accommodations where appropriate; maintains the program site, equipment, and required program records.

*This is not an exhaustive list of job duties. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to

successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable

individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to plan, lead, prepare, and participate in backpacking, boating and rock climbing activities in a variety of outdoor settings.
• You must have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Ability to work in excess of a 40-hour week with irregular work hours.
• Ability to walk, stand, and sit (including on the ground, in water, and at heights) for long periods of
• time.
• Exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids.
• May be exposed to adverse outdoor weather conditions and air quality at elevations 8,000-13,000ft
• Ability to respond appropriately and effectively to emergency situations such as but not limited to fire evacuations, severe weather, a missing camper, or an injured camper.
• Employees must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 60lbs, safely travel over varied terrain (trails, tree roots, boulder/rock fields, shoreline, mud, snow, ice) up to 12 miles per day, be comfortable spending multiple days and/or weeks in a wilderness setting, communicate both verbally and non-verbally with other staff, volunteers, and participants.

• High school diploma or equivalent; one year or more of college preferred.
• Minimum age: 21 years old.
• Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certification (or ability to obtain in a training prior to the summer starting organized by the YMCA).
• Current Lifeguarding Certification or Waterfront Lifeguarding Certification is preferred .
• Meet the YMCA of Northern Utah Driver Requirements.
• Personal or professional experience in backpacking, rock climbing, boating, and / or mountaineering.
• Previous experience working with people across multiple dimensions of diversity (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.).
• Two years or more of experience working with teens in an organized setting, including planning and facilitating activities that address the issues facing adolescents, is preferred.
• Knowledge of developmental needs of teens; demonstrates an understanding of the needs of teens and the ability to evaluate their needs individually and as a dynamic group, is preferred.
• Experience planning, implementing, and supervising a variety of wilderness-based program activities is preferred.
• Previous experience with BOLD & GOLD preferred.
• Being multilingual is preferred.
• Current Single-Pitch Instructor Certification is preferred

Staff working 15 hours+ per week

• 100% off Childcare programming*
• Employee & Employer Retirement Contribution Options
• Professional Development Assistance

Staff working less than 15 hours per week:

• 50% off Childcare programming*
• Employee & Employer Retirement Contribution Options
• Professional Development Assistance

*Limitations and restrictions apply to some programs.

OUR YMCA CULTURE:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become.  We are genuine:  we value you and embrace your individuality.  We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing:  we support you in your journey to develop your full potential.  We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.