Overview
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!
POSITION DESCRIPTION
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.
Qualifications:
21 years of age as of start date of employment
Valid Driver's License (held for 5 years) that passes Outward Bound USA screening criteria
Wilderness First Responder and CPR (available to staff on-site at a reduced price starting in late April)
Wilderness Water Safety or Active Lifeguard Certification (Water Safety class provided to staff at a reduced cost during staff training cycle)
Required Skills:
Demonstrated competency in expedition skills including canoeing, portaging, backpacking, campcraft, map and compass navigation, expedition logistics and decision-making
Demonstrated experience teaching the above skills to students
Demonstrated experience in 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 resourceful
Preferred 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 with varied learning styles
Service Ethic
Time Management and Organization
About Voyageur Outward Bound School
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 50 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 three sites: Twin Cities Center in St Paul, MN, Homeplace Wilderness Basecamp in Ely, MN and Big Bend Basecamp in TX.
