Wilderness School Seasonal Instructor

The Wilderness School offers high impact wilderness programs intended to foster positive youth development. Designed as a journey experience, our program is based upon the philosophies of experiential learning and is considered therapeutic for the participant. Studies have documented the Wilderness School impact upon the self esteem, increased locus of control (personal responsibility), and interpersonal skill enhancement of adolescents attending the program. The Wilderness School base camp is located in East Hartland, Connecticut in the north-central part of the state. The expedition course area follows the Appalachian Trail corridor of the Taconic and Berkshire Mountain ranges of Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as the adjoining areas of the Housatonic River Valley.

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF), Wilderness School, in East Hartland, CT is currently recruiting for twenty-eight (28) Wilderness School Seasonal Instructors. These positions will begin on April 1, 2019 and end on/or before November 22, 2019. Preferences will be given to candidates that have the requirements listed in the position below. The hours will vary according to the duties of the position.

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.

All applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.

If selected to interview, please bring the following at the time of interview:

State Employees:

• Last two (2) service ratings.

Non State Employees:

• Three (3) supervisory references with contact information.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Cynthia Sailor at cynthia.sailor@ct.gov, 860-550-6484.

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

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; and 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; and 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; may be assigned as an Expedition Instructor as needed; conducts base camp officer of the day/back-up duties as required.

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.

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

1. Incumbents in this class must possess the following:

A. Current Wilderness First Responder or equivalent (WAFA or WFA may be considered).
B. Current American Heart Association (AHA) Healthcare Provider or American Red Cross (ARC) Professional Rescuer CPR.
C. Current Wilderness School Medication Administration Training (provided).
D. Current ARC Lifeguard certification and Waterfront training, or equivalent preferred.
E. Current American Canoe Association (ACA) certification or equivalent preferred.
F. Driver's license preferred.

2. 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.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.