Little Sand Bay Sea Kayak Outdoor Leader

Overview

Our Little Sand Bay Sea Kayak staff introduce the skills and pleasure of paddling and hiking in, and around, the beautiful Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Typical programming is 4 days and 3 nights with some ranging up to 14 days, all beginning and ending at our Little Sand Bay Base Camp near Bayfield, Wisconsin.

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply. No prior Outdoor Recreation or guiding experience is required to apply. Wilderness Inquiry provides additional compensation for Outdoor Leaders who demonstrate language skills that meet the needs of our audiences. Please indicate on your application if you are fluent in more than one language; we are especially interested in Spanish, Somali, Oromo, Karen, Hmong, and ASL.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Group Facilitation
Provide excellent leadership for Wilderness Inquiry program participants.
Work collaboratively with a team of Outdoor Leaders to build a safe, engaging, socially/emotionally supportive, and welcoming learning program environment.
Demonstrate flexibility and creative problem-solving.
Demonstrate an understanding of the variety and complexities of relationships Wilderness Inquiry audiences may have with the outdoors based on race, gender, experiences, age, and backgrounds.
Accurately and professionally represent the Wilderness Inquiry brand to program partners, participants, media, and the public.
Use effective judgment and decision-making regarding trip implementation.
Uphold Wilderness Inquiry’s Trail Community Agreements.
Dedicate time to learn relevant curriculum, location specific interpretation, social-emotional learning practices, and group goals.

Technical Skills & Safety
Ensure program compliance with Wilderness Inquiry policies and risk management procedures.
Assess participant ability and expectations to safely and effectively meet individual and group needs.
Proficiently perform, or show a willingness to learn, activities conducted on trips including Sea Kayaking, North/Tandem canoeing, hiking, camping, navigating routes, cooking, etc.
Provide emergency first aid in an outdoor setting (contingent upon certification).
Maintain quality and cleanliness of Wilderness Inquiry program equipment.
Safely drive a 15-passenger van hauling a loaded trailer in all weather and road conditions (contingent upon driver eligibility).

Pre-Trip & Post-Trip Administrative Responsibilities
Actively participate in event-specific pre-trip meetings and post-trip debriefings with your team.
Collaborate and coordinate with operations staff to pack-in and pack-out gear and food accordingly.
Complete post-trip paperwork including evaluations, incident reports, expense entry, and trip summaries.

Tagged as: Instruction and Guiding

Required Skills:

Active certification in Basic First Aid & CPR (or ability to obtain by start date).
Demonstrated capability to lead, motivate, and manage groups of varying ages, abilities, and identities safely in an outdoor setting
Ability to provide excellent customer service
Ability to work as a team and conduct themselves in a way that contributes to a positive working environment with peers
Willing to keep flexible hours
Must pass a background check
Must be at least 18 years of age
All persons hired will be required

Preferred Skills:

Active Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification
A WFA or higher certification is required to be eligible to lead Island Camping Trips
Active Wilderness Water Safety, Lifeguard or other Professional Rescuer certification
Valid Driver’s License* and a safe driving record dating back at least five years
One or more seasons or years of professional experience in outdoor recreation or education, leadership or guiding, group facilitation, or other related experience
Experience