Program Staff

Join our outdoor education team as a Program Staff member specializing in archery, Rockwall, challenge course, forest ecology, and salmon ecology. We seek an enthusiastic individual passionate about environmental education and experiential learning. This position offers a unique opportunity to instruct diverse programs, foster a love for nature, and provide hands-on experiences for participants.

Job Overview

Position Title: Outdoor School Program Staff, Seasonal 

Compensation: $600 per week, 35 hrs a week, free shared housing, and exclusive outdoor gear discounts

Employment Term: January 15th, 2025, through June 15th, 2025 (with some opportunities outside of these dates)

What the work looks like (Responsibilities) : 

Cispus provides outdoor school programs for groups that rent our facility. You will be on the front lines, delivering educational programs to 5th or 6th graders from all over the state. This will involve taking students hiking, facilitating a challenge course experience, or even maintaining our vast trail network and aging campus. Each day will be different and never dull! 

This position works from 8 am to 5 pm, with some opportunities outside of that time.

Challenge Course Facilitation:

Facilitate challenge course programs, fostering teamwork and personal growth.

Instruct participants in challenge course elements and safety procedures.

Collaborate with team members to enhance the overall program experience.

Forest Ecology Programs:

Develop and lead forest ecology programs, incorporating hands-on learning experiences.

Educate participants about local flora, fauna, and ecosystems.

Foster an appreciation for the natural world through interactive activities.

Salmon Ecology Programs:

Conduct salmon ecology programs, focusing on salmon’s life cycle and importance.

Lead field trips to local waterways for hands-on exploration.

Collaborate with educators to integrate salmon ecology into broader environmental education.

Archery Instruction:

Plan and conduct archery programs, ensuring safety and adherence to best practices.

Instruct participants in archery techniques and skills.

Maintain and oversee archery equipment.

Rockwall Instruction:

Lead Rockwall climbing programs, emphasizing safety and proper climbing techniques.

Instruct participants in Rockwall climbing skills.

Conducted routine inspections and maintained Rockwall equipment.

This position will assist other departments as needed. To be at most 20% of time worked. 

Other duties include assisting in food preparation, dishwashing, groundskeeping, trail maintenance, and custodial tasks. We are a small non-profit, and we all help when and where we are needed. We expect you to do the same.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and complete physically demanding tasks.
• Capable of standing for multiple hours, setting up, and accessing all areas of the challenge course and climbing wall, up to 60 ft in the air.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Experience working with youth and adult groups.
• Prefer knowledge of and previous experience with diverse populations (language, age, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.). Additional language proficiency beyond English may be advantageous.
• Pets cannot stay in the provided housing due to USFS rules, including ESA.

Employment is contingent upon a background check.

We encourage you to apply if you are passionate about outdoor education, have a positive attitude, and enjoy working in a dynamic and natural setting. Join us in creating unforgettable experiences and fostering a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors through essential outdoor education!

Application Instructions:

Please submit the following to Moses Jouwsma, Programs Manager, at [email protected]:

Please include “Outdoor School Program Staff Application” in the subject line.

Resume & Three (3) References

Brief Message of Intent in the body of the email (Why are you interested in this position?)