Outdoor Recreation Program Instructor – Day Camps

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’re looking for passionate and skilled individuals to take on a leadership role in our Outdoor Recreation department and its Day Camps Programs. Summer activities include mountain biking, rock climbing, nature art, survival skills, environmental stewardship projects, outdoor education,

skateboarding, hiking, and stand-up paddleboarding. This position is part of the Outdoor Recreation Programs Team and is responsible for facilitating recreation programs in an assigned area, delivering high-quality outdoor experiences for the community in partnership with SOS Outreach.

See Outdoor Recreation Overnight Guide on https://mountainrecreation.org if interested in leading youth backpacking and camping programs.
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POSITION DETAILS
Job Title: Outdoor Recreation Program Instructor – Day Camps
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 (involves overnight guiding)
o Option 2: Early June – Mid-August
o Option 3: A combination of Option 1 and 2

Work Environment: This position offers flexible hours to ensure the successful completion of duties. Work may be performed indoors or outdoors, sometimes in extreme weather conditions. The role requires sustained mental and visual focus for much of the time. Physical demands include frequent walking, bending, kneeling, and the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted, as well as pushing and pulling equipment and supplies. Given its physically demanding and high-stress nature, this role requires constant safety awareness and attentiveness to a wide range of participant needs, often 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 volunteers, guides in training, and campers.

Salary: $18.78 – $23.47/hour; DOE. 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 Day Camps Lead in guiding youth ages 7–10 and 11–14 through outdoor recreation activities, including mountain biking, rock climbing, nature art, survival skills, environmental stewardship projects, outdoor education, skateboarding, hiking, and stand-up paddleboarding. Day Camps run as 3–5 full-day or half-day programs, with group sizes of 10–12 youth.

Examples of Duties:
• Outdoor Recreation Facilitation: Assist Program Leads in safely facilitating outdoor recreation activities for youth in wilderness and front-country settings.
• Program Documentation: Refer to weekly program folders for schedules, designated activities, rosters, and risk management documents.
• Skill Development: Help teach outdoor recreation skills and facilitate team bonding activities.
• Behavior Management: Explain and uphold rules and expectations for youth while assisting Program Leads in managing individual and group behavior.
• Family Interaction: Greet and interact with families professionally during camper check-in and check-out.
• Risk Management: Implement risk management practices and support Program Leads in providing safe and effective programs.
• Curriculum Implementation: Assist in implementing curriculum based on program specialty, objectives, and guidelines.
• Participant Safety & Progress: Help oversee the safety, comfort, and progress of participants in various activities.
• Facility & Supply Management: Communicate with program staff regarding facility, equipment, and supply needs.
• Special Event Support: Assist with special events for partner organizations serving mixed-age groups.
• Safety Assurance: Ensure the safety of staff and participants while leading outdoor sports and activities.
• Customer Service: Provide exemplary customer service to internal and external guests.
• Equipment & Facility Care: Maintain and care for program facilities, equipment, and supplies.
• Collaboration with Partners: Collaborate with organizations such as recreation departments, school districts, towns, counties, special districts, nonprofits, and sports associations.
• Program Set-up & Clean-up: Set up, take down, and clean up after programs as needed.
• Accident & Incident Response: Assist in responding to accidents and incidents according to procedures.
• Staff Training: Attend staff training before programming begins to gain essential skills for working with youth, leading outdoor recreation activities safely, and team bonding.
• Mandatory Reporting: Serve as a mandatory reporter and comply with mandatory reporting guidelines.
• Recreational Instruction: Instruct recreational classes as needed or directed by Mountain Recreation in partnership with SOS Outreach.
• Additional Duties: Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

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 16 years old as such requirement is a bona fide occupational qualification pertaining to public safety and required by law.

Special Benefits

Salary: $18.78 - $23.47/hour; DOE. 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:
• Understanding of child development and ability to implement age-appropriate activities.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a team player.
• Desire to make a positive difference in the community.

Skills and abilities:
• Have a positive attitude, good sense of humor, and strong communication skills.
• Customer service skills.
• Comfort and passion for working with youth outdoors.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, respectful, and cooperative relationships with all program contacts.
• Ability to lift, restrain, and run after participants as needed.
• Capability to lift equipment and supplies.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and create positive relationships with staff and the public.

Requirements:
Education and experience:
• Must be at least 16 years of age or older; AND
• High school graduation or equivalency, or currently attending high school; AND
• Previous experience working or volunteering with children/youth; OR
o 1–2 years of experience in outdoor recreation and/or youth-serving programs; OR
o Any satisfactory combination of experience and education that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the above-described duties.
• Spanish language proficiency and cultural literacy (preferred).

Certifications:
1. Current CPR/First Aid/AED certification (required).
2. Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or the ability to obtain this certification prior to beginning employment (preferred).