Lead Instructor - Canoe​/Backpack, Homeplace

POSITION SUMMARY

This is a seasonal position (arriving in May and continuing through August) working primarily in the field. Candidates are required to attend a pre-employment training before the season begins that includes wilderness travel training, technical skills training, OB curriculum and educational philosophy.

The Lead Instructor is a mid-level position and stands at the core of Outward Bound course delivery. They hold the responsibility for training and mentoring Instructors, creating and facilitating course curriculum, and upholding physical and emotional safety standards. Lead Instructors must have extensive prior knowledge of educational, technical, and interpersonal skills to meet the educational outcomes and safety expectations of an Outward Bound course.

The instructional team–typically one Lead Instructor and one Instructor–is responsible for using a wilderness expedition to deliver safe, impactful programs using Outward Bound’s educational framework, outcomes, and values.

VOBS serves a wide range of student populations. The majority of our students in the summer and fall are young people between the ages of 14 and 25. We have "classic" courses, our standard expedition format, ranging in length from 8 days to 22 days. Additionally, we have courses with specially designed curriculum such as our Pathfinder and Intercept programs. VOBS also works with intact groups, creating the opportunity to work a variety of programs throughout the summer.

• Under supervision of the Course Director and while training an Instructor(s), collaborate to design and implement experiential education programs that are in line with VOBS mission and educational philosophy and are tailored to the student group.
• Willingness to role model the values Outward Bound seeks to teach to students, including courage, inclusion, and integrity.
• Leads instructor in course planning including: development of educational and technical curricula, route planning, gear issue, meal planning, and food pack-out.

• Actively participate in building a community where all students and staff feel a sense of belonging.
• Provide clear, effective and timely communication with co-instructor, Course Director and other staff.
• Able to give and receive timely, effective oral and written feedback.
• Mentor Instructor in managing student behaviors and facilitating group dynamics and group processes.
• Role model a service mindset —supporting students, co-instructors, and the mission through teamwork, care, and professionalism.
• Contribute to living in a small community in a wilderness basecamp. Participating in the daily upkeep and maintenance of public space.

• Adhere to local operating procedures, safety policies and emergency procedures as outlined in the field staff manual.
• Mentor and supervise Instructor(s) on VOBS policies and procedures.
• Manage student behaviors, group dynamics, and facilitate group processes
• Support student emotional and physical safety in times of duress, such as field emergencies, inclement weather, or interpersonal conflict.
• Maintain big-picture vision and keep safety in mind during all decision-making processes.
• Participate as needed to support the basecamp’s on-call field response system. This could include paddling or hiking to evacuate an injured student from the wilderness, answering the emergency field line, and preparing food and gear for evacuation teams.

• Collaboration - Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds to effectively meet shared objectives, while encouraging the open expression of a diversity of ideas and opinions.
• Communication - Ability to clearly convey ideas, facts and information in a variety of settings using different mediums, while encouraging the open expression of a diversity of ideas and opinions.
• Conflict Management - Ability to manage and resolve conflict productively and with minimal negative impact by integrating a diversity of viewpoints, addressing harm, and fostering understanding and empathy.
• Continual Learning -The ability to…