Canoemobile Outdoor Leader

 

OVERVIEW:

At Wilderness Inquiry, we believe that everyone belongs. We work to ensure this belief holds true in our workplace, in our community, and in the outdoors. We pursue this belief through our mission and shared values of paddling together, seeking the exceptional, and finding a way.

Our Canoemobile program is a “floating classroom” that brings students out on local waterways in 24-foot Voyageur canoes to learn about science, history, geography, and culture. A Canoemobile Outdoor Leader has the opportunity to introduce thousands of youth to their local waterway by teaching life-long team-building skills through a guided Voyageur canoe paddle. Our on-water experiences are enriched with land-based learning activities developed and facilitated by organizations such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and hundreds of other government and nonprofits. In a typical year Canoemobile serves more than 30,000 youth and adults of all backgrounds and abilities. 

2021 General Canoemobile Schedule:

June to mid-September: Teams of 6-10 Outdoor Leaders work local day programs in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro area

Mid September to early-November: Teams of 6-8 Outdoor Leaders travel nationally, living and working together, bringing Canoemobile to communities across the country (Twin Cities and Greater MN programs will continue during this time)

We recognize that as an industry, there is much to do to increase representation in our field to reflect the communities we aim to serve. We also know that diversity of identities, experiences and ways of thinking result in better solutions for our communities. For this reason, we especially encourage applicants from communities who experience systemic barriers – including people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ and people with disabilities – to apply for this position.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

The primary responsibility of Outdoor Leaders is to serve participants and ensure the safety, quality and cost-effectiveness of WI experiences. Outdoor Leaders are responsible for the lives and well being of WI participants throughout a WI adventure. Life as a WI Outdoor Leader can be fun, exciting, and incredibly rewarding, but it is also a tremendous amount of responsibility and it can involve a lot of hard and challenging work.

Group Facilitation 

• Provide excellent leadership and facilitation for youth participants and potentially adults and families in an outdoor setting.
• Collaborate with your team to build a safe, engaging, and welcoming learning environment. 
• Possess flexibility and creative problem solving. 
• Dedicate time to learn about Wilderness Inquiry’s program curriculum. 
• Demonstrate an understanding of the variety and complexities of relationships youth and young people may have with the outdoors based on race, gender, experiences, and backgrounds. 
• Uphold Wilderness Inquiry’s Trail Community Agreements

On-Trail Technical Skills & Safety

• Provide, within scope, emergency first aid and address medical issues including those related to COVID-19. Outdoor Leaders must agree to follow and uphold all COVID-19 policies and practices required by Wilderness Inquiry.
• Use effective judgment and decision making regarding trip implementation.
• Assess participant ability and set realistic expectations to safely and effectively meet participant needs.
• Care for equipment and supplies.
• Proficiently perform activities conducted on Wilderness Inquiry trips, as applicable, including Voyageur canoeing, hiking, camping, and environmental education activities, like water quality sampling, fire-building, team-building, and more. Note that activities may differ and be more limited in 2021 due to COVID-19 protocols. 
• This position may require the ability to safely drive a 15-passenger van pulling a loaded trailer in all weather and road conditions after training.

Pre-Trip Prep & Post-Trip Paperwork 

• Lead and/or actively participate in event specific pre-trip meetings and post-trip debriefings with your team.
• Collaborate and coordinate with operations staff to pack-in and pack-out gear and supplies accordingly.
• Complete post-trip paperwork including evaluations, incident reports, and experience summaries.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• The ability to plan, implement, and follow through with responsibilities is essential. Must have excellent people skills, experience working with youth, the ability to oversee projects independently or as a part of a team, and strong communication skills. Must be able to lift and carry heavy loads over rough terrain for distances of up to 1000 feet. Must show commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive and welcoming outdoor learning environment. 
• Must demonstrate interest and ability in leading outdoor experiences for youth and families of all abilities, including people with varying needs. 
• An understanding of place-based education and facilitation strategies preferred. 
• Must pass a criminal background check.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Given the nature of this work and to increase safety for our staff and participants, Wilderness Inquiry currently has a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all staff. Needed accommodations can be discussed individually. 

CERTIFICATIONS:

• Basic First Aid & CPR certification required
• Life Guarding or Wilderness Water Safety certification preferred
• *Current Driver’s License and safe driving record dating back at least 5 year

*Accommodations may be made if applicant does not meet this requirement

For information on how to obtain certifications visit click this link.

TRAINING:

All new Canoemobile Outdoor Leader hires are contingent upon successful completion of paid Wilderness Inquiry staff training, including: Driver Assessment, Voyageur Canoe Assessment, and Program Content Training.

TIME/WAGE:

Canomobile Outdoor Leaders are classified according to skill and experience and compensated starting at $14/hr for local day programs. National tours are compensated through a non-hourly pay structure. Further details on compensation are available upon request. Opportunities for advancement available upon demonstrated performance with Wilderness Inquiry. Staff housing and professional service stipends available.