Adventure Instructor

The job duties of this position are performed personally, in cooperation with your supervisor, and/or in coordination with other staff. Additional work functions and duties may be assigned.

Job Duties

Main areas of focus:  

• 65% Teaching and facilitating programming/activities;  
• 10% Lesson planning and curriculum development;  
• 25% Support duties (e.g. facilitation of meals, set up/clean up, transportation, student free time).  

• Supervise up to 13 students in the front and backcountry on 6-12 day programs with other instructors;  
• You can expect to work 6-7 days per week with one to two days off in between trips. Expect regular 18-hour work days and responsibility to respond to student needs 24 hours a day while on a trip. 
• Teach students outdoor living skills such as packing, camp set-up/take-down, outdoor cooking, orienteering, and risk management;  
• Maintain organization of storage areas and upkeep, clean, repair, and inventory gear as needed.
• Teach students basic rock climbing safety and skills.
• Plan, prepare, and teach age appropriate curricula and leadership.
•  Document course progression/student concerns, participate in self and peer feedback system, and engage in a post trip debrief.
• Able to carry pack weights of up to 60 pounds.
• Commitment to own professional growth as well as improving technical and interpersonal skills.
• Implement Adventure logistics including schedules, trip routes, emergency action plans, menus, etc.;  
• Supervise and maintain high standards of health and safety, and follow Risk Management policies by engaging with incident prevention and response;  
• Attend and help facilitate wilderness trainings for Instructors, and attend all staff meetings and trainings as assigned;  
• Administer client medications, perform student health screens, and utilize first aid skills;  
• Gather and submit pictures and videos to reflect the experience children have during KSS programs;  
• Provide an electronics-aware experience for all children;  
• Drive a 15-passenger van with a trailer and successfully complete Van Driver and Trailer Training;  
• Abide by and uphold the policies and procedures set forth by KSS;  

• Adhere to all Personnel Policies and Procedures for the organization.
• Maintain professional standards of performance, demeanor, and appearance at all times; act as a "role model" both at and away from the organization.
• Maintain a creative, team-building approach to job performance and seek to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasks.
• Perform all tasks and responsibilities with attention to detail and in a complete and timely manner, complying with organization policies and standards and conforming to the scheduling requirements of the job and program.
• Maintain an awareness of the organization's mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodies.
• Exercise discretion and professional judgment at all times keeping with the responsibilities carried personally and by the organization for the care and welfare of the clients; act with honesty and integrity in all aspects of organization business.
• Actively strive to upgrade professional skills through engaging in appropriate professional training and experience.
• Actively strive to create and maintain a culturally sensitive, justice-centered and appropriate environment through communication and interaction that demonstrates respect for diversity, socio-economic and cultural differences and that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.

• Have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with children in a backcountry setting;  
• Have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with people with diverse backgrounds, opinions, beliefs, abilities, and experience;  
• Proven ability to develop and facilitate science, diversity & inclusion, leadership, and risk management lessons;   
• Ability to adapt instruction and lessons to meet a wide variety of learners utilizing different educational philosophies;  
• Ability to be creative, adaptable, and flexible while managing children in a variety of situations;  
• Strong work ethic and will work until the job is complete;  
• Growth oriented mindset and willingness to give and receive feedback;  
• Motivation to contribute positively to the KSS at-large community;  
• Interpret a variety of instructions provided in written or verbal form;  
• Multi-task efficiently while managing a high-volume workload in a fast-paced, changing environment;  
• Superior customer service skills, with the ability to be creative and think 'outside the box';  
• Strong command of communication, writing, and organizational skills;  
• Ability to work in a busy environment with many distractions;   
• Write incident reports and lesson plans with attention to detail.   

• Experience leading/guiding participants in a wilderness/backcountry setting (minimum of 5 overnight trips);  
• Prior experience working with school-age children: at least three (3) months (460 hours) of full-time or equivalent part-time satisfactory and verifiable experience with school-age children;  
• Experience with risk management practices of the outdoor education industry;    
• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR certifications, from an approved vendor, or the ability to obtain before the first day of employment;  
• Age 21+ with a minimum of 5 years driving experience, excellent driving record, and a valid driver's license;  
• Must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive background check;  

• Lifeguard certification from approved vendor
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and hike steep terrain with climbing equipment.  
• Ability to communicate verbally and teach in Spanish; 
• Previous experience driving with a trailer; 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) and Adobe;  
• Extensive experience on personal backcountry trips;