Summer Intern -- Ely, MN

EOE STATEMENT

Voyageur Outward Bound School is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks staff as diverse as the communities it serves. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

Outward Bound has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect. Protecting our minor students against abuse and neglect is of the highest priority.

We know that women and people of color may be less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We would encourage any interested applicant to apply, even if you don’t meet every one of our qualifications listed. 

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

We challenge you to change a life.

We challenge you to change your community.

We challenge you to change the world!

The need for leaders of character and compassion is great.

For over 60 years, Voyageur Outward Bound School (VOBS) has changed lives through challenge and discovery. We know that personal discovery leads to positive transformation. Our students grow character and compassion through nature-based adventure. Our vision is more resilient and compassionate people for a more resilient and compassionate world.

Voyageur Outward Bound School is a charter of Outward Bound USA, the leading provider of experiential education for youth and adults. We design and deliver intensive single-day and extended wilderness expedition experiences that build and develop character, leadership and service through shared experience.

VOBS delivers high impact programs across two sites: Twin Cities Center in St Paul, MN and our Homeplace Wilderness Basecamp in Ely, MN.

Our values are integrity, excellence, compassion, inclusion and safety. Our instructors are highly trained and experienced. We are proud to have been recognized as one of the 100 Best places to work by Outside magazine multiple times.

Collaboration with educational and non-profit organizations is critical to our mission. We partner with schools, colleges, non-profit organizations and families to serve their youth and young adults with programs that support specific educational goals.

Summary

The internship is an on-the-job training program for individuals aiming to become field instructors facilitating expeditions for VOBS. Depending on skill level, experience, scheduling, and availability, some interns will be promoted to instructor the same season. Most will complete the 9-week internship and will seek to be re-hired as a field instructor the following season. Internships begin with 10-12 days of in-the-field expedition training, 5-6 days of introductory technical skills, and another 5-6 days of student management skills training. This is followed by 6 weeks of practical work supporting the program.

The VOBS Ely Summer Interns will perform a wide variety of duties on any given day or week ranging from supporting a rock-climbing day for students, driving to the airport to greet a new student group, or staining one of the many buildings on our 40-acre wilderness basecamp. The intention is for the interns to have a diversity of work that will deepen their understanding and appreciation of the position of field instructor, program management, how the basecamp runs, and how to work with students. The internship is designed to be an educational experience with approximately 40% of the intern’s time spent in student contact and approximately 60% will be spent supporting courses, course delivery, and the base camp community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Trainee
• Participate in a wilderness training expedition and that is modeled on an Outward Bound student experience and thus, is deliberately challenging.
• Technical Skills: Whitewater and flatwater paddling, rock climbing, top rope anchor building, campcraft, and navigation.
• Facilitation Skills: Group dynamic and student management skills, conflict resolution skills, expeditionary leadership, and decision-making skills.
• Program Function and Logistics: Gain awareness and skills pertaining to how a large program runs ‘behind the scenes’.
• Student Program Support
• Greet, supervise, and inspire students at the airport on arrival days.
• Driving during student transport including to/from the airport, to/from trailheads, and to/from technical sites using passenger vans and equipment trailers.
• Assist with gear issue on student arrival days or gear switches when (i.e. canoeing to backpacking).
• Assist at technical sites including rock climbing, whitewater kayaking or canoeing, and high ropes sites.
• Supervise students who leave the field due to illness, injury, or behavioral incidents.
• Support instructors and students in the Intercept (at-risk) program during their final week at VOBS where they are working to transition home and preparing to reunite with their families.
• Basecamp Support
• Assist field instructors during course preparation including packing food and gear, and setting up camp before student arrival.
• Assist VOBS Facilities Manager in maintaining the basecamp. This includes a variety of tasks that help the basecamp run smoothly and run efficiently. This could include staining a building, cleaning, filling pot holes, yard work, kitchen work, etc.
• 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.

 POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge and Skills (*See EOE statement above--if not everything on this list applies to you, please do not be discouraged from applying!)

• Strong desire to learn and eagerness to serve the mission.
• Ability to be flexible and positive in a dynamic, team-oriented work environment.
• Exceptional communication skills.
• Passion for back country travel, community living, and youth development.
• Willingness to live in rustic conditions at Homeplace, VOBS wilderness basecamp, with a common dining hall and shared washhouse.
• Ability to participate in moderate to rigorous physical activity including, but not limited to, paddling, backpacking, running, carrying canoes overland, swimming, rock climbing, kayaking.
• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds.
• Minimum age requirement is 21 years.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Wilderness First Responder certification or ability to obtain this certification after hiring

Education and Work Experience

• Outdoor, group leadership, and/or experience (preferred, but not required).
• Outward Bound, NOLS, other extended expeditionary or travel experience (preferred, but not required).

Compensation

• $50 per diem
• Skills you will learn through this training program include, but are not limited to: whitewater and flatwater paddling, rock climbing, top rope anchor building, campcraft, navigation, group dynamic and student management skills, conflict resolution skills, and expeditionary leadership and decision-making skills.
• Paid Training and Professional Development Opportunities
• Room and board on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, a 1.1 million-acre wilderness.
• Eligible for ProDeal (professional discounts from a variety of outdoor companies).
• Accident insurance available.

Dates

• Applications should be submitted online
• Hiring happens on a rolling basis beginning mid-January
• There are two sessions of intern training programs each summer. Placement is based on skills/experience and availability/scheduling. Approximate dates for 2024:
• May 13 – July 31 (likely support or instructing work to follow thru 8/21)
• June 13 – August 21
• During busy seasons, some interns may be given the option to extend their work contract.