Instructor - Twin Cities Center

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. 

LOCATION

Twin Cities Basecamp

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 be recognized as one of the 100 Best places to work by Outside magazine for consecutive years.

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.

Why Voyageur Outward Bound School, Twin Cities Center?

Adventure, community and impact await you as an Instructor with Voyageur Outward Bound School! Imagine spending your days leading middle and high school students from all over the country on epic week-long canoeing or backpacking expeditions, where they'll explore their limits, discover their inner strength, and grow into leaders. You'll teach them vital life skills like resilience, problem-solving and teamwork, all while immersing yourself in the awe-inspiring nature of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

When you're not out on the trail or paddling down the river, you'll live in a vibrant, rent-free house in the heart of the Twin Cities with an incredible community of fellow adventurers. It's the perfect blend of natural exploration and city living! With supportive teammates by your side, you'll have the chance to make lifelong connections, share stories and grow both professionally and personally.

This is more than a job; it's a transformative experience for you and the students you lead. If you're passionate about the outdoors, ready to create unforgettable moments and eager to make a lasting impact, we want you on our team!

CATEGORY

Field Positions

DESCRIPTION

Summary

This position is for a multi-day, Expedition Instructor. Two expedition activities are run from the Twin Cities base: backpacking with a rock-climbing element and canoeing. Programming focuses on self-discovery, problem solving, team development, collaboration, and communication in small group settings. This is a seasonal position that begins mid May and typically ends in August. Candidates are required to attend a 3-week pre-employment training before the season begins that includes wilderness travel training, technical skills training, OB curriculum and educational philosophy.

On-the- job training continues when the Instructor (I) begins working in the field under the supervision of a Course Director and Lead Instructor. Working as part of an instructional team, Instructors are expected to supervise, teach and facilitate students in the field and are expected to support and follow VOBS safety policies and procedures meant to mitigate the risks inherent to participating in a wilderness or nature based expedition.

VOBS serves a wide range of student populations. The majority of our students are youth and young adults between the ages of 14 and 25. The Twin Cities base works primarily with community partners and students from marginalized communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Delivery & Implementation

• Collaborate with VOBS staff to design and implement a nature based, experiential expedition that serves students and is in line with Outward Bound mission and educational philosophy
• Willingness to role model the values Outward Bound seeks to teach to students, including character, leadership and service
• Participate in course planning including: course logistics including development of educational and technical curricula, route planning, and food and equipment planning and pack-out

Community Development

• Committed to actively participating 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.
• Assist in managing student behaviors, group dynamics, and facilitating group processes
• Leadership and mentorship opportunities with community youth and peers

Student Supervision & Safety

• Assist in identifying, assessing and managing environmental, physical, social and emotional risk during all course activities
• Adhere to local operating procedures, safety policies and emergency procedures as outlined in the field staff manual
• Assist in managing student emotional and physical safety in times of duress, such as field emergencies

Other Duties as Assigned

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES

• Demonstrated competency in expedition skills including canoeing, backpacking, campcraft, map and compass navigation, expedition logistics and decision-making
• Demonstrated experience teaching the above skills to students
• Demonstrated experience leading others
• Demonstrated ability to assess students’ ability and backcountry hazards and use that information to mitigate the risk of participating in expedition style travel in a natural environment.
• Personal initiative, motivation and resourcefulness; adaptable and positive in a dynamic, team-oriented work environment

SKILLS

• Critical Thinking
• Complex Problem Solving
• Judgement & Decision Making - demonstrate sound judgment in adverse situations
• Social Perceptiveness
• Active Listening -Ability to listen to what others are saying
• Active Learning - Strong commitment to professional development and personal growth.
• Instructing/Teaching -ability to communicate in a way that is easily understood by others.
• Service Ethic
• Time Management

WORK CONDITIONS

• Must be able to participate in all site and course activities and maintain ample energy, strength and focus to aid students and instructors, with or without reasonable accommodations
• On feet most days – sometimes for up to 16+ hours a day, or possibly more in the case of an emergency
• Constantly works in outdoor weather conditions, occasionally during poor weather
• Ability to work a flexible and varied schedule, including weekends

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Occasionally must carry equipment weighing up to 75 pounds
• Ability to participate in vigorous to moderate physical activity including but not limited to backpacking, paddling, backpacking, running, carrying canoes overland, swimming, rock climbing, kayaking
• Ability to lift, crawl, bend, carry and pull

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• 21 years of age as of start date of employment
• Valid Driver's License (held for 5 years) that passes screening criteria
• The following certifications (or the ability to obtain them after hiring) are required: Wilderness First Responder and CPR, Water Safety or Lifeguard Certification
• Team building, top-rope rock climbing, and high ropes course facilitation experience (preferred)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Per Diem starting rate is $100 per day.
• Board provided while on contract
• Food stipend when scheduled to work and VOBS is not providing food
• Pro deals (the opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at discounted rates)
• Paid sick time (accrued at the rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked)
• Eligible for a 403b retirement plan with 2% employer match.
• Employee Assistance Program

DATES AND TIMELINE

• Position start date is mid-May and goes through mid to late August.
• Hiring happens on a rolling basis beginning in November and positions will remain open until filled
• All field staff schedules are dependent on student enrollment. As a result, Instructors will receive their specific work assignments after training. Instructors must maintain flexibility during the peak season (May-August) and some opportunities for year-round work may be available