Overview

Ever dreamed of a career in the outdoors? Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of young people? Break away from the conventional workday and kickstart your career in experiential education with our 12-week Challenge Course Apprenticeship. This program serves People of Color and members of communities not historically represented in the outdoor education field.
We will teach you everything you need to know to become an experiential educator and ropes course facilitator at our Challenge Course in McLaren Park, San Francisco. Under the mentorship of our staff, you’ll learn how to tie knots, belay students, facilitate teamwork-building games, and safely run high and low ropes elements, all while making a positive impact on Bay Area youth. After successfully completing the Apprenticeship, you’ll have all the skills and experience you’ll need to be promoted to an Instructor. As a bonus, you’ll receive $80 to put toward a First Aid course.

Tagged as: Climbing Skills, Instruction and Guiding, Support Staff, Teaching/Education

Qualifications:

Compensation & Schedule
Starting hourly wage is $21/hr
This is a 12-week, part-time, non-exempt, hourly position, typically 2.5-3 days a week (~20 hrs/week). There are opportunities to promote to Instructor directly after completion of the apprenticeship (dependent on developing required skills) and continue work throughout the season.
Paid Training: 8 hrs/day Mon-Fri, Jan 27 - Feb 7, 2025
Most program days take place at the McLaren Park Challenge Course in southeast San Francisco

Required Skills:

19 years old or older
Able to work Monday (half day) and nontraditional hours (most programs run from 8am-4pm)
Because we work with you, staff must be willing to authorize a federal & Live Scan background check and provide current TB screen/test results (cost paid or reimbursed by OBCA)

About Outward Bound California

Outward Bound California uses challenging outdoor experiences to teach social-emotional skills like teamwork, leadership, confidence, and compassion. We offer a wide range of programs, including high/low ropes activities at our San Francisco Challenge Course and multi-day rock climbing/backpacking trips in the High Sierra or Joshua Tree. Our programs help our participants (ages 12+, including adults and veterans) embrace challenges and reflect on how they want to contribute to their communities and the world.

We are a part of the Outward Bound USA network of outdoor education programs, with a 60-year history in the US as a leading provider of outdoor education. OBCA is a non-profit and is committed to increasing access for those who have traditionally been excluded from outdoor spaces. We work towards this goal with our 40 community partners and by offering scholarships to more than half of our students.

Application Instructions

Please apply on our website. No cover letter required.