Part-Time Youth Program Instructor

The Mountaineers is a community of outdoor recreationists and conservationists founded in 1906 to explore the peaks and waterways of the Pacific Northwest. Today, we have more than 16,000 members and seven branches in Western Washington, where we deliver most of our outdoor education programming. Thanks to the work of generations of volunteers and our internationally recognized publishing division, we continue to enjoy an outstanding reputation in the fields of outdoor education, recreation, and public lands conservation and advocacy.

Our dedicated volunteers and staff get people outside to experience the power of the natural world. We advocate for access and protection of recreational lands so that future generations can enjoy these places too. Our core value of community reflects the belief that a diverse and inclusive outdoors inspires unity, respect, and passion for the places we love. We believe that all people should feel belonging in the outdoors.

Our 65 staff, divided between our program centers and our nonprofit publishing division, Mountaineers Books, and 2,500+ volunteers work together to achieve our mission to enrichment lives by helping people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

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This position is responsible for providing excellent program instruction for The Mountaineers youth programs. Program Instructors may instruct for After-School Programs, Partner Programs, Break Camps, or Youth Clubs Programs. Most of our youth programs are single-day programs designed to expose youth to and build outdoor skills. Occasionally, programs may run for multiple days or include overnight instruction. Programs most commonly run during the workweek, early evenings, and weekends.

Applicants with weekday availability (M-F) will be prioritized for this particular hire.

Belayer for Indoor and Outdoor Rock Wall during Youth Programs

• Inspect equipment prior to use
• Ensure all equipment is set up before group arrival
• Explain safety expectations to participants
• Belay
• Ensure safe, encouraging, and welcoming climbing environment at all times for climbers of all skill levels, primarily beginners

Lead Instructor for After-School, Youth Clubs, and Partner Programs

• Teach curriculum in 1-2 hour blocks to youth and teens, ages 6-18. Curriculum may include:
  Map & Compass Navigation, First Aid, Climbing, Outdoor Cooking, Leave No Trace, Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, Other outdoor skills
• Lead and/or co-lead day hikes, snowshoe outings, and day climbing trips to various climbing & hiking areas in our region
• Manage physical and emotional group safety during programs
• Create a welcoming and inclusive environment for participants who may be brand-new to the outdoor skills being taught
• Collaborate with other program instructors, volunteer instructors, and assistants to present programs
• Assist with set-up, clean-up and curriculum development, as needed
• Collaborate with Volunteer leaders or assistants
• Accommodate parent chaperones that may be present on activities/trips

• The Program Instructor is expected to actively contribute to the creation of a positive learning environment by conducting themselves in a professional, friendly, and supportive manner.
• Cultural competency and demonstrated ability to work with people of all races, ages, genders, abilities and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to pass a national criminal background and sex offender check (applicants will be disqualified from consideration for any felony conviction involving a minor, a sexual offense, or violence).
• Must have (and maintain) an acceptable driving record to drive Mountaineers vehicles
• Minimum Wilderness First Aid certification, or ability to become certified once hired
• Weekday availability (M-F) preferred, especially availability for Mid-Winter Break Camp (February 17-20) and Spring Break Camp (April 13-17).

While we do not anticipate that candidates will have the full slate of qualifications listed below, these are the qualifications that will make someone successful in the position. Candidates should see this role as…