State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Wilderness School Seasonal Instructor (4038VR)

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$0.01-$478.93 Hourly / $0.00-$0.00 BiWeekly /
$1.00-$999,999.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Children and Families Wilderness School as a limited duration employee performs instructor tasks and assigned duties of a seasonal nature.

GUIDELINES FOR JOB CLASS USE

Work areas covered by this class shall include the assignments and per diem rates (minimum and maximum) as listed below:

Lead Expedition Instructor $184.45 to $246.97
Expedition Instructor $171.10 to $233.10
Base Camp Instructor $133.82 to $185.85
Logistics/Climbing Instructor (Base Camp) $133.82 to $185.85

Minimum and maximum hourly rates will be subject to the following criteria: Returning Seasonal Instructors may receive a 3% incremental increase for each season of service up to the maximum rate.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the supervision of an employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May supervise other seasonal employees.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

LEAD EXPEDITION INSTRUCTOR:

  • Functions as the team leader for assigned expeditions; 
  • Responsible for the overall safety and risk management of all participants; 
  • Supervises and leads groups of up to ten students during the 20-Day, 8-Day or 5-Day Expedition; 
  • Provides skills instruction in backpacking, wilderness camping, map and compass, flat water and white water canoeing, rock climbing and rappelling, first aid, nutrition, personal hygiene and ecology; 
  • Provides small group and individual counseling for adolescents of varying backgrounds; 
  • Facilitates interpersonal skill development for students; 
  • Supervises all course activities; 
  • Conducts Orientation programs for students, families, and referring agencies; 
  • Attends summer staff training as required; 
  • Completes all course reporting in a timely manner; 
  • Leads 1-Day courses for groups as available.

EXPEDITION INSTRUCTOR:

  • Responsible for the safety and risk management of all Expedition program participants; 
  • Supervises and leads groups of up to ten students during the 20-Day, 8-Day or 4-Day Expedition; 
  • Provides skills instruction in backpacking, wilderness camping, map and compass, flat water and white water canoeing, rock climbing and rappelling, first aid, nutrition, personal hygiene and ecology; 
  • Provides small group and individual counseling for adolescents of varying backgrounds; 
  • Facilitates interpersonal skill development for students; 
  • Supervises all course activities; 
  • Conducts Orientation programs for students, families, and referring agencies; 
  • Attends summer staff training as required; 
  • Completes all course reporting in a timely manner; 
  • Leads 1-Day courses for groups as available.

BASE CAMP INSTRUCTOR:

  • Responsible for the safety and risk management of all one-day course participants; 
  • Leads hiking, canoeing and team-building one day programs, including Orientation, Outreach, DCF Prevention and Adolescent Services as well as adult Leadership and Communication programs; 
  • Assists in the supervision of students engaged in field activities; 
  • Attends summer staff training as required; 
  • Conducts base camp officer of the day/back-up duties as required;
  • May be assigned as an Expedition Instructor as needed.

LOGISTICS/CLIMBING INSTRUCTOR (BASE CAMP):

  • Supervises and instructs rock climbing and high ropes course activities;
  • Provides base camp support to groups engaged in field activities; 
  • Transports students, staff, supplies and materials to and from local course areas; 
  • Conducts equipment issue, repair, maintenance, and inventory duties; 
  • Attends summer staff training as required; 
  • Performs base camp officer of the day/back-up duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Expedition experience required for Lead Instructors and preferred for Expedition and Base Camp Instructors; group facilitation skills; youth work experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Bachelor's Degree is preferred. Professional level training and work experience as an Experiential Educator may be considered in lieu of Bachelor's Degree. Examples: Greenfield Community College Outdoor Leadership Program Certificate, National Outdoor Leadership School course completion, Outward Bound School course completion, or comparable significant experience as an Outdoor Education Professional or corresponding professional experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must possess the following:
    • Current Wilderness First Responder or equivalent (WAFA or WFA may be considered).
    • Current American Heart Association (AHA) Healthcare Provider or American Red Cross (ARC) Professional Rescuer CPR.
    • Current Wilderness School Medication Administration Training (provided).
    • Current ARC Lifeguard certification and Waterfront training, or equivalent preferred.
    • Current American Canoe Association (ACA) certification or equivalent preferred.
    • Driver's license preferred.
  • Incumbents who are assigned as Logistics/Climbing Specialist, in addition to the above, must possess the following: American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), Professional Climbing Instructor Association (PCIA) or equivalent rock climbing certification preferred.

APPOINTMENT

Permanent status cannot be attained while working in this classification.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Non-Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(99)-Unassigned or Unknown

BARGAINING UNIT

(04)-OTHER NON-BARGAINING

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

VR 99

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Wilderness School Seasonal Instructor in Salary Group VR 99 approved effective May 15, 2015. (Reviewed for content and revised to modernize format and add Acknowledgement section) Final No. 24-058

EFFECTIVE DATE

4/10/2024
CLASS: 4038VR; EST: 5/15/2015; REV: 4/11/2024;