Overview
Community and Experiential Advisors is a full-time, local position (non-remote work) that is primarily responsible for supervising students within Alzar School’s residential life program. This includes the coordination of student meals, the facilitation of a variety of student activities, instruction of Alzar School’s residential life curriculum, and the monitoring of academic study halls. Moreover, this staff member will play a critical role upholding community norms and standards, as well as maintaining a safe learning and living environment at the school. CEAs will work within the school’s medical program, administering medications to students and facilitating student visits to clinics and hospitals, when necessary.
Academically, the CEA will help coordinate, plan, and co-teach 4 – 6 classes of our Six Foundations weekend lessons each semester. Additionally, they are also expected to instruct classes based on Alzar School’s Residential Life and Leadership curriculum on campus and on expedition.
Additionally, CEA’s will each have a designated auxiliary role, which will allow them to collaborate with specific programs within the school. The CEA can expect to spend approximately 4 hours per week working within their auxiliary roles. Auxiliary roles that CEAs may participate in include: the medical program, instructional technology, social media and the blog, the outdoor program, among a host of other options.
Finally, CEA’s (along with our faculty) lead our various outdoor expeditions. The school has 4 major (7-day) expeditions per semester. The Community Life and Experiential Advisor can expect to lead between 3 – 4 of these expeditions per semester (approximately 6-8 weeks during the year on expeditions).
Most CEA’s can expect to have either Friday and Saturday or Sunday and Monday as days off, with (usually) two other half days off throughout the week. It is important to note, however, that because Alzar School’s schedule often includes expeditions and international travel, that there may be irregular weeks, where CEAs do not follow the schedule listed above.
Between semesters, CEAs receive two and a half weeks of time off during winter break.
Qualifications:
- demonstrated passion for working with high school students
- adaptable, able to take challenges in stride
- strong communication and interpersonal skills
- robust experience either 1) backpacking or 2) whitewater rafting and/or kayaking or 3) transferable skills from another outdoor sport
Required Skills:
We invite applicants from a variety of backgrounds to apply, and firmly believe that a diverse faculty enriches our staff community and connections with students. Some applicants may possess skills in certain areas and less experience in others, for example: academic, outdoor, residential, leadership, or cultural, amongst others. We look forward to the opportunity to review your application!
Preferred Skills:
Candidates should possess or be willing to acquire, the following additional skills and knowledge:
Experience working with teenagers
Wilderness First Responder or higher level of training
Knowledge and experience with professional outdoor programming methods and practices.
The physical ability to perform strenuous outdoor recreational activities in remote and rugged mountains or water based environments.
Proficiency with a variety of computer software and applications.
About Alzar School
Alzar School is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to “build leaders who positively impact the world.” We do this through various programs and learning opportunities, principally as a semester high school for 10th-11th grade students. In addition to the semester we offer a growing slate of programs including gap semesters, short summer courses, a center in Chile (Base Patagonia), and a commercial raft company (Confluences River Expeditions). We believe that experiential learning happens powerfully at the intersection of academics, outdoor adventure, and cultural exchange. As a school community, we value diverse experiences, perspectives, identities, and skill sets.
