Outdoor Leader
OVERVIEW:
Outdoor Leaders are the backbone of our adventures at WI. Outdoor Leaders staff all WI events, from single day programming to extended trips. In the summer season, most extended trips are 3-6 days in duration, simultaneously we are running local single day trips. Our activities on these trips range from canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and land-based educational programming.
TIME/WAGE:
Outdoor Leaders are classified according to skill and experience—from assistant to senior trainer—and compensated on a per event basis. Depending upon classification, an Outdoor Leader may earn $55-100 per day. Typically, two to three staff conduct each trip for group sizes of 10-20 (although this can vary) on extended trips. For day trips, staff numbers will depend on the number of participants and needs for that particular event. Opportunities for advancement available upon demonstrated performance with Wilderness Inquiry. Staff housing and other stipends available.
SUPERVISOR: Operations Director
SUMMARY:
The primary responsibility of Outdoor Leaders is to serve WI trip participants and ensure the safety, quality and cost-effectiveness of WI experiences. Outdoor Leaders are responsible for the lives and well being of WI participants throughout a WI adventure. Life as a WI Outdoor Leader can be fun, exciting, and incredibly rewarding, but it is also a tremendous amount of responsibility and it can involve a lot of hard and challenging work.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provide leadership on WI trips.
• Using effective judgment to make decisions regarding trip implementation.
• Embrace a "servant leadership" ethic that places the participant first.
• Assess participant ability and expectations to safely and effectively meet their needs.
• Provide a high level of customer service for all participants.
• Effectively communicate WI policies and procedures to participants in person, via phone or through written means.
• Proficiently perform activities conducted on WI trips including cooking, canoeing, hiking, camping, etc.
• Provide emergency first aid and conduct and/or assist in back-country medical issues including evacuations.
• Work with logistics staff to pack-in/out gear and food for all wilderness trips.
• Care for equipment while in the back country.
• Complete post trip paperwork including evaluations.
• Safely drive a 15-passenger van pulling a loaded trailer in all weather and road conditions.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
The ability to plan, implement and follow through with responsibilities is essential. Must have an aptitude for wilderness leadership, excellent people skills, the ability to oversee projects independently or as part of a team, and strong communication skills. Must be interested in leading extended wilderness trips and/or day trips for people of all abilities, including people with disabilities. Must be willing to keep flexible hours. Must have significant outdoors experience. Must be able to lift and carry heavy loads over rough terrain for distances of up to 1000 feet. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
CERTIFICATIONS:
Certifications are highly recommended and may influence job placement:
• CPR
• Wilderness First Aid (WMI, WMA, SOLO, EMSRB, Red Cross) Preference will be given for Wilderness First Responder
• Wilderness Water Safety or Lifeguard/Professional Rescuer, Preference will be given for Swift Water Rescue
• Current Drivers License and safe driving record
For information on how to obtain certifications visit: URL{
TRAINING:
All new Outdoor Leader hires are contingent upon successful completion of various Wilderness Inquiry staff trainings, including: Staff Training, Driver Assessment, Voyaguer Canoe Assessment and Outdoor Education Interpretive Training.