Youth Backcountry Instructor

Job Overview

Position Description:

The Youth Backcountry Instructor (YBI) will work under the direct supervision of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association’s Youth Programs Manager and Zephyr Point’s Program Manager to implement the Youth Backcountry Camp (YBCC) Program by supervising, teaching, and facilitating meaningful experiences for youth during multi-day backpacking trips. This Program focuses on backcountry skills, natural history, and character development through experiences that take youth into new and outdoor environments.

Job Duties:

Responsibilities

• With a co-instructor, lead four-day backpacking trips for up to 13 youth each week
• Facilitate program curriculum to participants by teaching basic backcountry skills, natural history, and stewardship ethics and leading character-building activities
• Manage the program’s outdoor gear stock
• Exercise sound judgment and decision-making to assess and mitigate hazards
• Effectively build rapport with participants, co-instructors, chaperones, and co-workers
• Role-model inclusive behavior and facilitate a positive group culture among diverse partner groups and youth
• Manage participants in emergencies and adhere to all risk management and emergency action policies and procedures
• Maintain high energy, a positive attitude, and attention to participants and chaperones
• Communicate program details and outcomes with parents and guardians
• Report on program outcomes after each YBCC trip
• Represent the Tahoe Rim Trail Association and Zephyr Point in a professional manner

Statement of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

The YBCC Program is committed to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in Tahoe’s natural spaces by serving fully-outfitted recreation experiences to youth from underserved and underrepresented communities. We believe that it’s important for these participants to see outdoor leaders who represent and can relate to their identities and backgrounds. We encourage candidates who identify as Latinx, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or with other communities historically excluded from outdoor spaces to apply.

To apply, please submit an application here: https://www.zephyrpoint.org/join-our-team/deadline-application/. Please contact Kerri Wasko (she/her), Zephyr Point Program Manager, for questions regarding the position at [email protected].

Special Benefits

Compensation and Benefits:

Staff will receive a $6,000 compensation package that includes housing at Zephyr Point’s lake-front facility, all meals Monday-Friday during the term of employment, reimbursement for required certifications, a travel stipend, and a salary stipend of $4,000. Local staff who don’t require lodging accommodations will qualify for a higher salary stipend in lieu of housing, meals, and travel stipend. An additional stipend will be given to staff who are fluent in Spanish. Staff living at the facility are expected to participate in Zephyr Point’s intentional living community. This involves living in a co-housing environment and participating in shared meal times, joining community-building activities, and working with other staff to maintain housing facilities.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• 21 years old or older by June 5, 2023
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
• Ability to pass a criminal background check, including Live Scan fingerprinting
• Experience working with youth ages 12-17
• Experience in a youth leadership role such as a mentor, camp counselor, coach, teacher, etc.
• Proficient soft skills necessary to support youth mental health and emotional challenges
• Strong decision-making skills, ability to work without direct supervision, and adaptability to changing, dynamic environments
• Ability to clearly, assertively, and effectively communicate orally
• Ability to manage self-care and energy in the backcountry in all conditions
• Experience recreating in the outdoors
• Passionate about environmental stewardship and connecting others to nature
• Committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion values

Required Certifications

Certifications must be obtained before the start of the position and valid through the employment end date. Some certification courses may be provided at Zephyr Point prior to the position start date.

• Wilderness First Aid certification or higher
• CPR
• Lifeguard

Preferred Qualifications

• Wilderness First Responder certification or higher
• CA Epinephrine Auto-Injector certification
• Youth Mental Health First Aid certification
• Leave No Trace Trainer certification or higher
• College degree or coursework in Outdoor Education or other related fields
• Basic knowledge of local ecology, geology, and natural and cultural history
• Backcountry skills, including stove use and water treatment
• Prior field experience leading outdoor programming
• Experience working with youth from underserved and underrepresented populations
• Fluency in Spanish
• Experience hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail

Required Physical Demands

• Ability to hike and camp in the backcountry for several days at a time at various elevations up to 10,000’ carrying up to 75 lbs.