Wilderness Awareness School’s award-winning summer camps serve over 1900 youth each summer. We provide a variety of opportunities for kids to explore the natural world and have fun adventures with friends. Nature, survival, and scout skills and games are all used as our medium for creative play and exploration. Camps are one week long and may be day camps or overnight camps depending on the age group of campers.

Responsibilities:

Lead instructors are responsible for collaborative facilitation of camps, and will work with a small group of instructors and a camp director to run the activities of camp. In addition, each instructor will lead a small group of campers in exploring the natural world utilizing Wilderness Awareness School’s model of mentoring. The goal of our instructors is to inspire campers and to facilitate the spark for deepening their connection with nature and each other. In addition, lead instructors support assistant instructors (volunteers) in learning more about working with youth in nature through role-modeling and one-on-one guidance.

Qualifications and Expectations:

  • Creativity and passion for mentoring youth in a natural flow learning environment with open and flexible structure
  • Current certification in Wilderness First Aid and CPR
  • Driver’s license and/or ability to arrange transportation to various camp locations
  • Background check is required
  • Minimum age of 18
  • Work at least 5 weeks of camps, in addition to staff training and program planning time, unless by special agreement with Summer Programs Director
  • Must demonstrate good judgment and discernment (You are the primary risk manager.)
  • Must have good communication skills, ability to work as part of a team, and ability to communicate effectively with children, parents, staff and park staff
  • Prepared to participate effectively in a culture that promotes both giving and receiving feedback to promote professional growth, personal development, diversity and creativity
  • Dedicated to professionalism – on time, ready to go, clean appearance, timely response to phone and email communications, upholding agreements, serving with integrity
  • Uphold Wilderness Awareness School mission and policies

Preference will be given to applicants who have:

  • Experience as a naturalist instructor working with youth ages 4-12 in an outdoor setting
  • Experience with the 8-Shields Model and Coyote Mentoring method
  • Knowledge of Pacific Northwest hazards, mammals, tracking, edible/medicinal plants, navigation without map/compass, field ecology, trees, survival techniques, and birds/birdsong.
  • Participated in Wilderness Awareness School’s Anake Outdoor School, Community School / Wild Within, and/or Kamana Naturalist Training program.

Summer Season Dates: June 16 – August 23, 2019

Required Staff Training Overnight – Sunday June 16 – Friday June 21
(Some experienced staff: Program planning meetings during the week of June 10 – 14)

Locations:

Parks around the Seattle/Puget Sound, WA area, including in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains at our Duvall base camp. Instructors should expect to be scheduled for multiple different locations throughout the summer and need to provide their own transportation.

Camp Hours (includes staff planning and debrief time):

All day camps (ages 6-12) are 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday
All half-day camps (ages 4-6) are 8:00 am – 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday
Overnight camps (ages 11-18) typically Sunday – Friday;
(Please note that returning staff fills most overnight camp positions.)

Compensation/Benefits:

  • First-year lead instructors earn $14.25 per hour ($570 per day camp week)
  • Raises based on years experience and higher levels of responsibly
  • Paid summer camp training and planning time
  • Possible opportunity to participate in the Art of Mentoring training at cost
  • Be a part of an amazing team of connected people doing great work ☺

How to apply:

  • Complete our Employment Application (Find form on our web site under “About Us”)
  • Send an email with the following two items to wasnet@wildernessawareness.org:
    • Cover letter introducing yourself and explaining your interest in this position
    • Resume detailing education and experience.

Applications due by February 1st for consideration in the first interview group.

(Applications accepted on a rolling basis after Feb 1st until all positions are filled.)

Jared Archbold
Youth Program Assistant Director
jareda@wildernessawareness.org

Wilderness Awareness School
POB 219, PMB 137
Duvall, WA 98019