Overview
Come join our close-knit community of passionate outdoor educators as a challenge Course Instructor. You will facilitate day programs at our Challenge Course in McLaren Park, San Francisco with Bay Area youth (grades 6-12) and community members. You’ll plan the flow of the day, set up and break down the challenge course, and safely facilitate students through high & low ropes elements, ground games, and team-building activities. We’ll teach you how to deliver programs that instill courage, teamwork, confidence, and self-awareness in our participants. Make a difference in the Bay Area as we get folks outside and build community together!
Compensation & Schedule: Starting wage is $23.80/hr with opportunities to promote to lead positions (up to $29.80/hr). This is a part-time, non-exempt, hourly position, typically 2.5-3 days a week (~20 hrs/week). Staff meet for a half day on Monday. Student programs run Tuesday-Friday (with occasional Saturdays). Staff shifts vary depending on the group’s timing, but are most often 8am-4pm. Our season begins in late January with two weeks of required paid training. Our season ends in November with opportunities to return for the following season.
Paid Training: 8 hrs/day, 4 days per week, Mon-Fri, Jan 26 – Feb 5, 2026
Program Season: Mon-Sat, Feb 9 – Nov 18 2026
There is an unpaid summer break of programs from June 8-12 & July 27-31, 2026.
Availability of work is dependent on the number of booked programs.
Benefits (Part-Time): Paid Time Off, Unpaid Time Off, San Francisco’s City Option Medical Reimbursement, 401K after 1-year of employment, Pro Deals, Free youth development training, professional development funds, and recertification reimbursements, Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP), free of charge for staff and family members, All required training is paid
Location: Most program days take place at the McLaren Park Ropes Course in southeast San Francisco.
Qualifications:
Prior belay experience
Prior experience in experiential, outdoor, or environmental education programs
Required Skills:
First Aid & CPR/AED
20 years of age or older
Able to work Monday (half day) and nontraditional hours (8am-4pm)
About Outward Bound California
At Outward Bound California (OBCA), we use challenging outdoor experiences to teach social-emotional skills like teamwork, leadership, 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 and Joshua Tree. Our programs encourage our participants (ages 12+, including adults and veterans) to 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 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.
