Overview
Canoemobile focuses on introducing youth and young people from historically marginalized communities to their local outdoor spaces. Canoemobile experiences include day trips in the Twin Cities Metro Area and extended national tours✎ EditSign ranging from 2-12 weeks in length. Caneomobile Outdoor Leaders (OLs) will lead outdoor based field trips that incorporate: canoeing, environmental education activities focused on STEM, natural resources, and historical and cultural interpretation, and team-building. Canoemobile OLs are caring adults who deliver programming that centers social emotional learning.
We recognize that as an industry, there is much to do to increase representation in our field to reflect the communities we aim to serve. We also know that diversity of identities and experiences results in better solutions for our communities. For this reason, we especially encourage folks from communities who experience systemic barriers — including people of color, women, LGBTQI+, and people with disabilities — to apply for this position.
SCHEDULE & TRAINING
Wilderness Inquiry’s Canoemobile program has seasonal full-time and part-time employment opportunities annually from March to November. Canoemobile OLs are hired on a rolling basis with majority leaders starting at the end of May. For more information, please contact [email protected]
May 23rd – 26th, 2023: All-staff Wilderness Inquiry foundational training
May 30th – June 2nd, 2023: All-staff Wilderness Inquiry field training
June – September: Main programming season consisting of extended overnight trips with optional local Canoemobile day programming.
September – October: Opportunities to continue with local Canoemobile day programs as well as transition to regional and national Canoemobile tours✎ EditSign.
Qualified applicants will also be asked to participate in Canoe Stern Training & Assessment and Driver Training, if applicable, scheduled at various times before and after the All-Staff training. All new Outdoor Leader hires are contingent upon successful completion of required training.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Group facilitation & environmental education
Caneomobile Outdoor Leaders are responsible for leading participants through a cohesive day of Wilderness Inquiry programming. A leader’s goal is to connect participants with the natural world and each other by providing engaging activities and education. An Outdoor Leader is successful when they:
Work collaboratively with other staff to build a safe, engaging, and welcoming learning environment.
Connect and adapt the curriculum to support the learning objectives of the day.
Demonstrate flexibility and creative problem-solving.
Create a socially/emotionally supportive learning environment
Demonstrate an understanding of the variety and complexities of relationships youth and young people may have with the outdoors based on race, gender, experiences, and backgrounds.
Technical skills & safety
Pre-trip & post-trip duties
Qualifications:
Wilderness Water Safety or Lifeguard (or ability to obtain)
Active Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder, or higher certifications (or ability to obtain)
1 or more seasons or years of professional experience in outdoor recreation or education, leadership or guiding, group facilitation, or other related experience
Experience working with youth from diverse social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds
About Wilderness Inquiry
Wilderness Inquiry’s mission is to connect people from all walks of life to the natural world through shared outdoor adventures. Through the medium of outdoor adventure travel, we inspire personal growth, enhanced awareness of the environment and community integration. Wilderness Inquiry is all about access, inclusion, and opportunity. We believe exploration of the natural world is a birthright we all share, and we act on that belief. We operate in a manner that facilitates full participation by everyone, including people of all ages, background, and abilities.
