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JOB SUMMARY
The Outdoor Environmental Education Instructor is responsible for the delivery of school based educational programs taking place at YMCA Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya. The Outdoor Environmental Education program (OEE) is mainly residential, where the majority of the elementary and middle schools that we host participate in a three-day, two-night session (Monday-Wednesday, Wednesday-Friday). The OEE program is divided into three seasons: Fall (September-November), Winter (January-March) and Spring (April-June).
Employment Type: Seasonal/Part-time (less than 30 hours per week)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Provide leadership to participating groups in the OEE program.
- Be a positive role model for visiting school groups and fellow staff members by upholding and living the philosophies, policies, and procedures of the Y and Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya.
- Develop, implement, deliver and promote an experiential education curriculum. Teach a variety of hands-on outdoor classes (canoeing, team-building, outdoor living skills, orienteering, cross-country skiing, predator/prey games) and conduct meal-time activities.
- Lead group activities (campfires, capture-the-flag, night hikes, saunas), supervise selected recreational activities.
- Maintain all program areas and facilities.
- Increase students’ understanding of the natural environment and his/her personal responsibility to it.
- Maintain good public relations with the school chaperones, adults, and students.
- Identify and eliminate any risks that could cause accidents.
- Assist the OEE Director in hosting of school’s teachers and chaperones which requires an adult orientation, formal welcome, student orientation, public relations, and re-cap meeting. Keep the OEE Director informed as to the “tone” of the group.
- Provide a safe learning experience for participants in the OEE program by following appropriate lesson plans and group management procedures.
- Encourage respect for nature, personal property, camp equipment and facilities, peers, and adults.
- Manage the program equipment and supplies, teaching aids, facility, repairs, and equipment inventory. Submit program maintenance and supply needs to the OEE Director.
- Assist in evening and weekend coverage and hosting of weekend groups including special events such as the Ski Sale, Open Houses, etc. (2-3 per season).
- Attend regular camp management meetings and OEE staff meetings to prepare for upcoming schools and their needs.
- Assure own professional growth through reading, study, and conference attendance.
- Act according to facility protocol to ensure safety of all staff and children which includes:
- Adhere to policies related to boundaries with staff and children.
- Attend required abuse risk management training.
- Report suspicious and inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
- Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.
SKILLS AND TRAINING
- Demonstrated youth leadership experience, good overall leadership skills, a cooperative attitude and excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Degree in Outdoor Recreation, Environmental Studies, Education, or related field is highly preferred.
- The desire and ability to work with and understand the needs of school age students.
- Desire to work in a variety of weather conditions through the seasons.
- CPR and First Aid certifications are required within the first 60 days of employment
- Current lifeguard certification preferred; training provided.
- Physically able to lift up to 30 pounds.
- Considerable physical movement (hiking, canoeing, games, etc.) required.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes weekends and evenings required.
- Excellent, face to face communication skills tailored to the appropriate audience.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
For the most part, the work is done outside in all weather conditions. Moving about freeing to assist coworkers in other work stations is important. As an opener or closer, you may also need to walk around the building turning on or off equipment or lights and lightly clean up. As a safety responder, the ability to crouch, stoop, kneel, move quickly, and/or lift at least 30 pounds will be necessary.
COMPETENCIES
- Building Relationships: Connect people to the Y’s cause by developing inclusive relationships and collaboration. Create sustainable relationships within the Y. Assist members in becoming more connected to the Y and build small communities.
- Emotional Maturity: How we understand and conduct ourselves impacts our relationships. Demonstrate ability to understand and emotions effectively in all situations.
- Advancing Our Mission and Cause: As a cause driven leader you will support the Y, its members, participants, and staff by living the Y’s values of CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY in all interactions and aspects of job performance and demonstrate the desire to serve others and fulfill community needs.
- Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y’s cause
- Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment
- Functional Expertise: Executes superior technical skills for the role
- Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents, and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence
- Safety: Adhere to and enforce safety policies and procedures for the Association. You must be able to respond in a crisis situation as directed by leadership and outlined in the Policies and Procedures manual.
This job description represents the major functions of the job but is not intended to be all inclusive. The incumbent is also responsible for performing other duties as necessary for Association success.
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