Job Description

Position Overview

This position is responsible for providing excellent program instruction for our Mountaineers youth programs. Program Instructors will primarily instruct with Mountain Workshops, but may also assist with other youth programs or in the Gear Library. Mountain Workshops are single-day or multi-day partner programs designed to expose youth to basic outdoor skills. The curriculum is designed to match the goals of the visiting group  and  impart on the youth participants a desire to explore and conserve the outdoors. Mountain Workshops happen during the workweek, early evenings, and weekends.

Key Responsibilities

Program Delivery

Belayer for Indoor and Outdoor Rock Wall during Mountain Workshops

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

Lead Instructor for Mountain Workshops

• 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 local crags (Exit 38)
• 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
• Train volunteer assistants, as needed

Quality Service

• 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.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in outdoor education
• Experience working with youth, including those historically excluded or underrepresented in the outdoors, and/or customer service experience
• Proficiency belaying with an belay device in a top-rope environment
• Personal experience hiking, backpacking, and/or snowshoeing preferred
• Ability to pass criminal background check
• Current First Aid & CPR certification preferred
• Ability to safely lead 5.6 sport climbs preferred

Cultivating an inclusive staff is central to The Mountaineers focus on advancing equity. Our core values are Adventure, Advocacy, Community, Education, and Volunteerism, and we believe a diverse and inclusive environment inspires unity, respect, and passion for our work and one another. We’re interested in hearing from people who can work with colleagues of varied experience and background. The Mountaineers is an equal-opportunity employer, and candidates from all backgrounds are considered, and as an organization that values equity and inclusion, we highly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, and veterans to apply.

Work Environment

This role is based in Seattle, WA at The Mountaineers program center in Magnuson Park. Program instructors occasionally work programs at other locations in the greater Seattle area.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary.
• Ability to lift and move 20 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to travel to offsite programs. Must have a valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation.
• Ability to hike for 4 or more hours continuously.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to stand for extended periods of time while leading youth, and must be able to hike on uneven and hilly terrain continuously for up to six miles. The employee is occasionally required to bend, squat, run or climb as part of duties leading youth.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Special Benefits

This position is for a temporary, part-time, non-exempt, as-needed employee, averaging 4-12 hours per week (subject to change with demand). The pay is $17.27 per hour.

Requirements

Applications through this website will not be viewed or considered.  Apply here to be considered.

Why work here

The Mountaineers was formed in 1906 to explore the wild areas and peaks in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. With 15,000 members and branches from Olympia to Bellingham, The Mountaineers enjoys an outstanding reputation in its field and in the community.

Our dedicated staff, members, and volunteers are deeply committed to successfully accomplishing our mission. Each year 1,600 volunteers deliver outdoor skill courses to 2,500 students and lead 2,000+ recreational trips and courses. In addition, we advocate for access and protection of recreational lands. Last year we helped protect 30,000 acres of public land in Washington State. The organization has also published 500 outdoor recreation and conservation advocacy books. Our mission is to enrich the lives of people by helping them explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the wild lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The Mountaineers program centers have staff of 40 employees and an annual operating budget of seven million dollars, including Mountaineers Books. Please visit the other pages on our website for in-depth information about our organization, activities, programs, and mission.

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