Overview

Duration: This position is a 2.5 month full position beginning mid-June to early September.
Stipend: Ranging from $16.66 to $18 an hour depending on qualifications. Hourly/ non-exempt.

Rite of Passage Journeys (“Journeys”) is a well-established and growing organization which focuses on building skills to honor life transitions through meaningful rites of passage while being in relationship with nature. Programs offered include wilderness based expeditions for all individuals who are 10 and older, including offerings for adults, leadership intensives designed to teach wilderness based rites of passage to others, and community programs to explore a wide variety of topics that support ceremonial opportunities to deepen connection with self, community, nature and spirit.
Join our basecamp team at Rite of Passage Journeys for our summer programs. While the following tasks outline your primary responsibilities, our lean staff necessitates flexibility to contribute wherever needed to ensure the smooth operation of our programs. This could involve stepping in to lead a ceremony, helping to prepare a guide team, assisting with emergency logistics, or providing last-minute backup for a guide in the field. There may be an opportunity to step in as a guide for a trip, if you shift to guiding in the field you would shift to exempt status and be paid by the day of summer guide standards.
This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience in an outdoor recreation organization. You will develop a strong foundation of youth/family support, guide training, and outdoor logistics. You will be one of the main supporters assisting the Executive Director, Program Director and Basecamp Manager.

Responsibilities:
● Coordinate with Basecamp Manager and Intern for food and gear inventory, organization, maintenance and distribution;
● Support Basecamp Manager and Intern in resupply of food and gear and possible meal prep;
● Assist Program Director with extra support with summer guides in preparing for trips;
○ Preparing program binders;
○ Supporting guides through prep days;
○ Assist in resupply logistics;
● Assist with trip resupply as necessary, requiring a good driving record and potential use of personal vehicle for travel to the Olympic Peninsula and/or surrounding areas of Mt. Baker Forest (with reimbursement for personal vehicle use);
● Support in day of ceremonial logistics and preparation for participants, families, and community members;
● Ability to support in upkeep of basecamp facilities, including outdoor kitchen, food, storage, gear storage, yurt, and surrounding grounds;
● Support summer staff in maintenance and upkeep of vehicles;
● Substitute guide if last minute field time is needed;
● Support Adult programs through meal prep or other needed logistics;
● Additional responsibilities as needed.

Tagged as: Administrative Staff, Backcountry Skills, Camp Staff, Full Time, Instruction and Guiding, Support Staff

Qualifications:

● At least 2 years of experience facilitating outdoor programs with youth and/or conducting rite of passage work, wilderness therapy, teaching, or professional mentorship.
● Possession of a min of Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification with preference given to Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) certification or be ability to acquire before beginning of summer season.
● Aquire a baseline knowledge of Rite of Passage Journeys summer programs.

Required Skills:

● Exceptional communication skills to work as a part of a dynamic team during a very engaging summer season.
● Understanding of risk management, experience navigating challenging environments, and responding to physical or emotional emergencies in the field.
● Resilience, dedication, stamina, and self-awareness necessary for leading youth on the trail.
● Ability to uphold morale, cultivate a sense of group belonging, and adeptly facilitate
conflict resolution among participants,

Preferred Skills:

● Capability to deliver safe, transformational, and engaging experiences for participants with
diverse identities and perspectives.
● Proficiency in facilitating ceremony, ritual, and council (sharing circles).
● Demonstrated understanding of and ability to teach backcountry skills such as backpacking gear,
cooking, tarp shelters, fire crafting, knots, and naturalist skills.

About Rite of Passage Journeys

Rite of Passage Journeys, established in 1968, fosters self-discovery, community and connection with the natural world. Our mission is to mentor youth, adults, and elders through life transitions, initiating soulful leaders for the next generation. This not-for-profit organization provides intentional rites of passage experiences and rite of passage education. Our experiences take the form of guided wilderness retreats and adventures, while our education consists of consultation and training for schools, organizations, churches and individual leaders. We offer a variety of programs designed for children, teens, and adults. Journeys is admired nationwide for its solid integrity and commitment to soul-work that honors deep human values and the earth. The qualities our programs nurture enable us to more fully embrace the challenges and beauty of our collective experiences as well as our unique individual calling.

Application Instructions

To apply, please email our office (info@riteofpassagejourneys.org) with your resume and cover letter. We encourage you to also include any questions in your email, and we can respond accordingly.