Outdoor Education Guide

The Science Adventure School is a 4-day, 3-night program serving 6th grade students in West Virginia. Our goal is to integrate high quality, engaging, adventure sports-driven science and environmental curriculum with experiential education and student development. Outdoor Education Guides will play a crucial role in meeting that goal by guiding student groups for the duration of the week and facilitating activities and experiences.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Outdoor Education Guides will be expected to:

• Work in pairs to lead groups of 12-15 students. Each group will also have one public school teacher and one mentor student during some weeks.
• Safely manage their groups to mitigate the emotional and physical risks during adventure activities (zip-lining, rock climbing, archery, etc.) as well as facilitated experiential activities (low ropes courses, initiatives, discussions).
• Be high-energy, outgoing, and responsible for engaging students in activities throughout the week.
• Facilitate daily processing activities and discussions.
• Lead games, low ropes course activities, and portable initiatives throughout the week.
• Take initiative to help groups manage time, risk, travel around the site, and perform any other duties or assistance to students, teachers, or other staff to insure success of the program. You and your partner will serve as your one group’s guide for four days.
• Maintain positive attitude, professional language, well kept appearance, appropriate and professional behavior, and a willingness to take initiative.
• Assist with other camp duties as needed

Minimum Qualifications and Requirements:

The applicant must, at a minimum, have the following experience/qualification:

• Two years of leadership experience OR Post-Secondary Education or Certifications (i.e., college degree or ACCT certification) and/or equivalent experience
• Be comfortable and physically able to thrive in an outdoor/camp setting.
• The ability to pass a federal background check.
• Good risk management, communication, time-management, group management, and decision-making skills.
• Outgoing and friendly personality with the ability to connect and communicate effectively with youth.
• Be able to lift 50 pounds and participate in moderate physical activity including but not limited to climbing, hiking, and camping.
• Ability to work irregular and long hours during the programming days (Tuesday-Friday)

Preferred Qualifications:

The following qualifications are preferred, but are not mandatory:

• One-year experience working as an outdoor or experiential educator
• Hold a First Aid, WFA, or WFR and CPR certification
• Experience with youth and/or ESTEM schools and camps
• Experience/familiarity with belaying/rappelling/rock climbing

Time Commitment:

The Science Adventure School will begin staff training in early August. We expect that you will be available to work with us through the beginning of November with minimal time off throughout that time, except for a mandatory week off near the middle of the programming season. Staff will be expected to work Monday-Friday with weekends off. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be “on-duty” nights where staff are expected to remain on-site at camp to assist with evening programming. Although sufficient breaks will be scheduled throughout the week, expect to be working long days with students Tuesday morning through Friday afternoon. Hours vary, but while students are on-site, days frequently start around 7:00AM and end around 10:00PM.

How to apply:

If you are interested in working for SAS, you can fill out our application form on our website: https://scienceadventureschool.wvu.edu/get-involved/jobs/outdoor-education-guide