Wilderness Education Guide

Rippleffect is a non-profit youth and community development organization, serving over 4,000 youth annually. We own Cow Island, a beautiful 26-acre eco-campus in Casco Bay, Maine, where we run many of our youth and adult programs. Our mission is to promote youth development and leadership through adventure, healthy communities and living sustainably. Check out our website to read more: https://www.rippleffectmaine.org. Rippleffect offers day and overnight camp programs, wilderness treks, and youth leadership programs. Additionally, we offer spring and fall orientation programs for school and community groups as well as adult programs and events. Applicants’ schedules will vary based on previous experience, performance in Rippleffect training, and type of program offerings. Applicants should expect a wide variety of work offerings that will include weekday, overnight, and weekend work. 

Job Overview

Rippleffect is seeking individuals who have experience working with youth in varied outdoor education settings for our Wilderness Education Guide position. Rippleffect is excited to expand our guide team to support our growing program offerings. Our year-round program offerings include:

• Sea Kayaking
• Environmental Education
• Backpacking
• Leadership Development
• Challenge Course Elements
• Wilderness Expeditions
• Growth of Mind, Body & Spirit
• Climbing

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage and mentor groups of 7-14 youth (ages 8-18) while facilitating a diverse curriculum, including leadership development, sea kayak & outdoor skills training, environmental education, and more.
• Work with a co-guide and program leadership team to plan and facilitate quality outdoor programming in compliance with Rippleffect policies.
• Manage the inherent risk of the job and maintain industry safety standards for participants in the field.
• Adhere to all Maine state and CDC guidelines as it pertains to mask use, physical distancing, travel restrictions, and other Covid-19 mitigation practices and protocols. This may include Rippleffect policies and expectations that exceed state/CDC guidelines.
• Complete all necessary paperwork.
• Attend and complete all required staff training.

Compensation — Guide pay range is $125 to $145 per day. We also provide workers’ compensation insurance, equipment discounts and high quality staff training. Possible additional compensation for Single Pitch Instructors, or equivalent.

Training — Rippleffect provides a $40/day training stipend. Guides are conditionally hired until they have satisfactorily passed all necessary skills assessments during training. Training is from August 29th through September 9th excluding the weekend.

Duration —Per Diem work late August through late October, with the potential for work extended through the end of October. Scheduled hours are directly correlated to our enrollment and community contracts.

*Please reach out to Sarah Strohmeyer at [email protected] if you have any questions about your qualifications for this position!*

Contact — Sarah Strohmeyer, Community Partner Program Manager – [email protected] 

To Apply — https://rippleffect.campmanagement.com/apply/re

Minimum Requirements

• We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are committed to and have a passion for working with youth. These individuals must also have a passion for living and working in the outdoors. 
• Wilderness First Aid and CPR are required upon start date. Wilderness First Responder is strongly preferred.
• All applicants must be at least 17 years of age.
• Ability to constantly work in an outdoor setting, including but not limited to: rain, winds, heat, humidity, and cold temperatures. 
• Ability to carry weights up to 60 pounds and participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity, including but not limited to: camping, sea kayaking, backpacking, climbing, ropes course.
• Ability to move across varied terrain for the full duration of the work period.
• Comfort in and around a marine environment.
• Experience leading youth in an outdoor setting.
• Experience or ability to learn and lead Rippleffect specific programs and offerings.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of participants while managing group conflict resolution and behavioral management.
• Applicants must be open minded, flexible, and possess a growth-mindset. Understand that this job is as demanding as it is gratifying and may require personal lifestyle adjustments. Overnight and weekend availability is required.
• Strong preference will be given to applicants:
• Staff that will commit to multiple seasons
• USCG licensed boat captains, 
• registered Maine Sea Kayak & Recreation Guides, 
• ACA coastal kayak instructors or equivalent BCU. 
• SPI Certification