Wilderness Specialist

About Fiver Children’s Foundation (https://www.fiver.org/):

Fiver is not a typical after school program or summer camp. We take a slow and steady approach, over ten years, to build relationships and develop social, emotional and life skills that lead to positive decision-making for youth. We are committed to ensuring that all Fiver spaces, communications and interactions are: Inclusive, Warm, Youth-Centered, Honest, and Intentional. Through our one-of-a-kind ten-year commitment, Fiver provides experiences that challenge and builds relationships that nurture, so that youth from marginalized communities in New York can create their own positive futures.

Position Summary:

The primary responsibility of the Wilderness Specialist is to plan and implement the four-day backcountry backpacking trip for the LEAD campers. This trip is a key component of the Fiver program and therefore contributes to the development of core values including culturally relevant environmentalism. This task involves working closely with whatever agency Fiver has enlisted to provide trip leaders and trip planning assistance. In addition to mapping out the trip, the Wilderness Director will create the daily itinerary, identify goals of the trip, plan transportation, prepare emergency procedures, update the safety and evacuation plan, identify and order necessary gear and equipment, communicate with Camp Director, and coordinate menus with Food Services Director. The WS will attend all four LEAD trips. The WS will also teach the Wilderness Preparation curriculum during the four days leading up to the trip each session, in order to prepare the campers. The Wilderness Director will live at our beautiful 129 acre facility located in upstate New York (45 minutes south of Syracuse) for all four two-week camp sessions, and one week of training. As a member of the Fiver team, the WS will assist in other camp related responsibilities while on camp as assigned by supervisors. The WS will be directly supervised by the Camp Safety Director.

Additional Qualifications:

● Earned or pusuing a BA in outdoor/environmental education, environmental studies, education or a related field 

● 3 years experience working with children, camp experience preferred

● Previous experience planning and leading backcountry trips for teens

● Must be a dynamic, energetic, patient, compassionate team-player

● Must have WFR certification (Wilderness First Responder)

● Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age

In addition to gaining many transferable skills such as leadership, effective communication, time -management, strategic thinking, and more- all staff members will be given continuous support and training.

Location:

Located in beautiful upstate New York, Camp Fiver is a four-hour trip from New York City and is 45 minutes southeast of Syracuse. Truly a “home away from home,” Camp Fiver’s 129-acre refuge includes a lake, a river, woodlands, a learning center, dining hall, horse barn and more.

How to apply:

Email cover letter & resume to: careers@fiver.org

For selectivity reasons, this job posting will not appear on the employment webpage.