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No other emails or phone calls, please. We appreciate all responses, but due to the expected high volume of resumes received, we can only contact those applicants whose qualifications best match the position requirements.
Assistant Instructors (AI) work under the direct supervision of Instructors and Course Directors and are responsible for facilitating the mission of Outward Bound while managing risk appropriately on courses. An AI, along with their co-instructor, intentionally design courses, builds rapport with students, facilitates hard conversations, and empowers students in interpersonal and outdoor skills. Assistant Instructors assist in facilitating the outcomes of character development, leadership skills, and an ethic of service to others and the environment to students. We are seeking committed staff to attend May trainings and work courses from June – August/September. May trainings are a time for staff to practice and demonstrate educational, interpersonal, and outdoor skills while receiving coaching from trainers in institutional standards and best practices. After a successful completion of training, staff are guaranteed a minimum of 40 days of work.
Who We Are
Northwest Outward Bound School is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing lives through challenge and discovery. With 50 years of innovation in expeditionary learning, we believe that when people discover a strength of character, an aptitude for leadership and desire to serve, it has a positive impact on their lives and the lives of those around them. Our courses take students from all backgrounds on 5-65 day learning expeditions in the natural environments of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
Position Responsibilities
Training: Able to attend, fully participate, and complete 15+ days of tuition free educational, student management, interpersonal, and outdoor skill training in early May.
Safety: Ability to appropriately manage physical and emotional safety on course, able to manage student group in hazardous terrain (i.e. rough water or uneven terrain), and manage emergencies in Instructors absence. Able to use effective communication in times of crisis including SAT phone use in the event of an emergency. Able to role model and promote a culture of safety during work and while staying on basecamp.
Course Delivery: Participate in course planning, including development of educational and outdoor skill curricula, route planning, food and equipment organization and packing. Ability to effectively assess students needs and facilitate lessons, activities, discussions to meet student needs and course outcomes.
Educational Knowledge and Skill: Able to proficiently plan and deliver engaging experiential based lessons to achieve desired outcomes. Assist with delivery of NWOBS mission and facilitation of character development, leadership, and an ethic of service to others and the environment.
Interpersonal Knowledge and Skill: Able to work effectively with students 12 - 18+ years in age, students who have never camped before, and students from marginalized communities. Able to work with staff that have different styles and experiences. Able to take initiative and carry out tasks individually and work cooperatively as a team. Provide clear, effective, and timely communication to Students, Instructors, Course Directors, Logistics Coordinators, and Administration.
Outdoor Knowledge and Skill: Able to skillfully manage students in course activities and hazards. Experience managing students in 2 or more course activities including; rock climbing, backpacking, challenge course, alpine mountaineering, white water rafting, sea kayaking and canoeing.
Who Are You
Must be 21 years of age or older.
Possess a current Wilderness First Responder Certification or willing to obtain one before date of training.
Experience working with students from broad range of identities, particularly students with marginalized identities, and facilitate a positive group environment on course, on base, and in any other NWOBS context.
Awareness of personal biases and the impact that your behavior may have on those around you, or the willingness to uncover and grapple with personal biases.
Experience working in a team setting with one or more colleagues.
Ability to have open, honest, and difficult conversations, including the ability to give and receive feedback.
Ability to facilitate activities, lessons, and discussions, including presenting engaging lessons that meet learners' needs and reflect their experience beyond their course.
A demonstrated commitment to engaging in equity, inclusion, and diversity efforts (either within a professional or personal setting).
1+ years of extensive and comparable outdoor/experiential experiences in risk management, educational, and outdoor skills.
Must be sufficiently fit to participate in all duties as assigned and maintain ample energy and focus to aid students and staff.
Excellent decision making skills.
Strong personal motivation, initiative, commitment, follow through, and passion for NWOBS mission.
Starting daily rate $70+ and ability to advance in pay scale after 50 days of work.
Staff development through NWOBS trainings, staff expeditions, sponsored external trainings, and mentorship.
Room & board: laundry, showers and internet are available for your use on base. Staff receive field food while on course, and are fed out of the common kitchen while on base. While not working, staff can receive food and housing in exchange for completing one hour of work/trade per day. There is a cook present for the summer months who prepares lunch and dinner daily. Breakfast food is provided and is self-served.
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