Overview
Rippleffect is a non-profit youth and community development organization, serving over 4,000 youth annually. We operate out of two campuses, Cow Island, a beautiful 26-acre eco-campus in Casco Bay, Maine, where we run many of our youth and adult programs. We also have a mainland high ropes course facility, the Rippleffect Outdoor Community Center (ROCC), that is a central piece in Rippleffect’s vision to provide equitable access for all Maine youth, starting in our backyard of Portland. Our mission is to promote youth development and leadership through adventure, healthy communities and living sustainably. Check out our website to read more: https://www.rippleffectmaine.org
Rippleffect offers day and overnight camp programs, wilderness treks, and youth leadership programs. Additionally, we offer spring and fall orientation programs for school and community groups as well as adult programs and events. Applicants’ summer schedules will primarily be made up of our Cow Island and expeditionary based Classic Cow Overnight Camps, Trek programs, and may include our Aucocisco Day Camp programs. Program assignments are based on previous experience, performance in Rippleffect training, and the make-up of Rippleffect program offerings. Applicants should expect a wide variety of work offerings that will include full weekdays, 5-11 day overnight programs, and the occasional weekend work.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Manage and mentor groups of 7-14 youth (ages 8-18) while facilitating a diverse curriculum, including leadership development, sea kayak & outdoor skills training, environmental education, and more.
• Work with a co-guide and program leadership team to plan and facilitate quality outdoor programming in compliance with Rippleffect policies.
• Lead meaningful overnight and day outdoor experiences and expeditions.
• Manage the inherent risk of the job and maintain industry safety standards for participants in the field. • Complete all necessary paperwork.
• Attend and complete all required staff training.
• Work a minimum of 8 out of 9 weeks of our summer programming (from 6/23-8/22).
Minimum Qualifications:
• We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are committed to and have a passion for working with youth. These individuals must also have a passion for living and working outdoors.
• Wilderness First Responder and CPR certifications are required upon start date.
• Certifications must be completed at least 50% in person.
• Experience leading youth in an outdoor setting. Strong preference given to those who have led multi-night wilderness expeditions.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to constantly work in an outdoor setting, including but not limited to: rain, winds, heat, humidity, and cold temperatures.
Qualifications:
• Ability to care for a group of youth for an extended period of time in the outdoors (5-11 days). •Ability to carry weights up to 60 pounds and participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity, including but not limited to: camping, sea kayaking, backpacking, climbing, ropes course.
• Ability to move across varied terrain for the full duration of the work period.
Required Skills:
• Comfort in and around a marine environment.
• Experience or ability to learn and lead Rippleffect specific programs and offerings.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of participants while managing group conflict resolution and behavioral management.
• Ability to navigate program-to-program transitions as seasonally relevant to the position.
• Applicants must be open minded, flexible, and possess a growth-mindset.
About Rippleffect
Rippleffect is an outdoor education program based in Portland, Maine and on our Casco Bay Cow Island base camp. A non-profit, Rippleffect serves over 5,000 youth through four seasons of outdoor adventures in an array of programming. Through partnerships with local schools, our after-school program, summer camps, kayaking and back packing expeditions, rock and ice climbing, and alpine mountaineering, we serve as an access point for youth in our community.
