Outdoor Recreation Overnight Assistant Guide

We believe everyone in our community deserves to live a healthy and happy life. Mountain Recreation provides a dynamic and engaging environment for both participants and staff—one that promotes skill development, movement, life skills, and fun! We’re looking for enthusiastic applicants who excel in teamwork, demonstrate strong communication, and exemplify our core values in every interaction.

Job Overview

We are seeking qualified individuals interested in introducing youth to outdoor leadership, natural science education, and outdoor recreation through overnight programs in the Colorado National Monument and the White River National Forest. Overnight Guides must be passionate about working with youth of various ages and diverse backgrounds. As role models for positive growth, instructors will provide the support, safety, and guidance needed for youth to foster an appreciation for nature, learn the skills necessary for overnight outdoor experiences, and thrive in a group learning environment.

See Outdoor Recreation Day Camps Lead on https://mountainrecreation.org if interested in leading youth backpacking and camping programs.
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POSITION DETAILS
Job Title: Outdoor Recreation Overnight Assistant Guide
Location: District-wide • Edwards Field House (Edwards, CO), Eagle Pool & Ice Rink (Eagle, CO), Gypsum Recreation Center (Gypsum, CO)
Schedule: Part-Time; Seasonal
o Option 1: Early-May – Late-September
o Option 2: Early June – Mid-August
o Option 3: A combination of Option 1 and 2

Work Environment: Work will be both indoors and outdoors, with hours varying to meet the demands of the position. This may include evening hours, weekends, holidays, and multi-day trips. Flexibility is required to successfully complete duties. Outdoor work may involve extreme weather conditions. The position requires continuous mental and visual attention, along with physical exertion such as frequent walking, bending, and the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted. Duties may also involve pushing, pulling, and kneeling to transport equipment and supplies. The nature of the role is physically demanding and may be stressful, requiring constant safety awareness and attention to diverse participant needs under continuous demand.

Supervision Required: Works under the general guidance and direction of the Mountain Recreation Outdoor Recreation Supervisor and Outdoor Recreation Coordinator.
Supervision Exercised: May directly supervise part-time and other seasonal employees, volunteers, chaperones, instructors, and campers.

Salary: $15.50/hour; DOE. Opportunity for overtime pay on overnight trips. Staff in this position are eligible for a $1/hour incentive for Spanish/English bilingual skills upon passing a language competency test. Seasonal employees in good standing may also qualify for an end-of-season bonus of up to $200. Additionally, through the WFA/WFR Incentive Program, eligible employees can receive partial reimbursement for certification costs (eligibility requirements apply).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
General Statement of Duties: Assist the Overnight Lead Guide in leading groups of youth ages 7-10 and 11-14 in outdoor recreation activities such as backpacking, camping, environmental education, and rock climbing. Overnight programs typically range from 3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nights, with group sizes of 10-12 youth.

Examples of Duties:
• Program Facilitation & Supervision: Assist the Lead Guide in facilitating and supervising multi-day camping and backpacking trips for youth in front and backcountry settings, including preparation, implementation, cleanup, and debriefing with other field staff.
• Skill Building & Confidence: Help campers attain confidence in outdoor recreation skills such as campsite set-up, wilderness travel, camp cooking, group decision-making, etc.
• Program Documentation: Refer to weekly program folders for schedule, designated activities, rosters, and Risk Management documents.
• Leave No Trace & Responsible Recreation: Teach Leave No Trace principles and responsible recreation to youth.
• Behavior Management & Team Building: Explain and uphold rules and expectations for youth while facilitating team bonding activities.
• Risk Management: Manage risk in the field to provide a safe, positive, and enjoyable experience for campers and fellow staff.
• Environmental Education: Teach environmental education, including cultural and natural history interpretation when appropriate.
• Record Keeping: Maintain field records, trip reports, and accident/incident reports.
• Communication & Customer Service: Communicate effectively with participants and the public, providing accurate information and responding to patron and parent questions and concerns.
• Logistical Support: Provide logistical support and assist with purchasing materials and supplies for programs as needed.
• Equipment Setup & Maintenance: Set up and break down equipment and supplies; assist with the general upkeep and care of equipment, vans, and facilities.
• Transportation: Drive 15-passenger vans to transport participants to various sites and drive truck and trailer combinations to transport equipment.
• Incident Response: Respond to accidents and incidents according to policies and procedures.
• Leadership & Mentoring: Provide leadership, role modeling, and direction to other staff and/or volunteers.
• Training & Development: Attend staff training to receive important tools for working with youth, leading outdoor activities safely, and engaging in team bonding.
• Mandatory Reporting: Act as a mandatory reporter and comply with mandatory reporting guidelines.
• General Maintenance: Maintain and care for program facilities, equipment, and supplies.
• Special Event Support: May assist with special events for partner organizations to serve mixed-age groups.
• Recreation Instruction: Instruct various recreational classes as needed or directed by Mountain Recreation and in partnership with SOS Outreach.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
You are welcome at Mountain Rec for who you are, no matter where you come from, what you look like, or what keeps you active. Recreation is for everyone—and so is our workplace. The more voices we have represented and amplified in our organization, the more we will all thrive, contribute, and be forward-thinking! So, bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It is in our differences that we will find the power to keep revolutionizing the way we PLAY.

Colorado Residents: We are committed to fair hiring practices. In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. This position will require the applicant to verify the meeting of a minimum age requirement of 18 years old as such requirement is a bona fide occupational qualification pertaining to public safety and required by law.

Special Benefits

Salary: $15.50/hour; DOE. Opportunity for overtime pay on overnight trips. Staff in this position are eligible for a $1/hour incentive for Spanish/English bilingual skills upon passing a language competency test. Seasonal employees in good standing may also qualify for an end-of-season bonus of up to $200. Additionally, through the WFA/WFR Incentive Program, eligible employees can receive partial reimbursement for certification costs (eligibility requirements apply).

Benefits:
• Retirement Savings: 3.75% employer contribution to a 401(a)-retirement account.
• Paid Time Off: Accrued sick leave in accordance with HFWA.
• Facility Access & Memberships: Complimentary access to all three Mountain Recreation facilities and a free membership to the Gypsum Recreation Center.
• Program Discounts: 20% off facility programs for employees and immediate family members.
• Family Discounts: Discounted punch cards for immediate family members at the Gypsum Recreation Center.
• Outdoor Gear Perks: Access to pro deals on top outdoor industry brands through ExpertVoice.
• Scholarship Opportunities: Student scholarship programs available.
• Healthcare Options: Opportunity to enroll in Vail Valley Partnership’s One Valley Healthcare Plan—an affordable healthcare program for employees and their families.

Mountain Recreation believes that everyone, including our staff, deserves to be healthy and happy. We foster a culture of accountability and flexibility while offering world-class benefits.

For more details on employee benefits, visit: https://mountainrec.org/benefits-overview/

Minimum Requirements

COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
Considerable knowledge of:
• Knowledge of child development and experience in leading age-appropriate activities.
• Experience in outdoor recreation and/or program risk management.
• Knowledge of facilities and equipment in assigned program areas.
• A desire to make a positive difference in the community.

Skills and abilities:
• Demonstrate strong planning and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication skills
• Ability to work as a team player
• Customer service skills
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment while paying attention to detail
• Have a positive attitude, good sense of humor, and strong communication skills
• Comfort and passion for working with youth outdoors
• Establish and maintain positive, respectful, and cooperative relationships with all program contacts
• Lift, restrain, and run after participants
• Lift equipment and supplies
• Work cooperatively with others and create positive relationships with other staff and the public

Requirements:
Education and experience:
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Physically fit: backpacking trips in the summer average 5 – 8 miles per day at altitudes between 8,200’ – 13,000’ in varied weather; must be able to carry 70lbs. guide pack. Day hiking involves 2-4 miles and 2,000’ elevation gains; must be able to carry 30lbs. guide pack.
• Ability to pass federal background check.
• Knowledge of Leave No Trace practices.
• Comfortable with camping, hiking, wilderness travel, and team building experiences.
• Currently studying recreation or a related field or has recently graduated from a recreation or related field (preferred).
• Spanish language proficiency and cultural literacy (preferred).

Certifications:
• Valid First Aid and CPR certification (required)
o Preference will be given to those with a current Wilderness First Responder (WFR), then preference to an active Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR, or the ability to obtain one of these certifications prior to beginning employment.