Wilderness School Seasonal Instructor

Recruitment #210304-4038VR-001

Location

East Hartland, CT

Date Opened

3/6/2021 12:00:00 AM

Salary

Up to $478.93 per hour *See introduction for details on salary information

Close Date

8/31/2021 11:59:00 PM

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Introduction

Do you love working in nature and have a passion for working with troubled youth? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF), Wilderness School offers high impact wilderness programs intended to foster positive youth development. The Wilderness School is a prevention, intervention and transition program intended to assist our students to develop self‐esteem, internal locus of control and interpersonal skills. 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. For more information about the program and location please visit us at the DCF Wilderness School webpage.

DCF Wilderness School is currently recruiting for fifteen (15) Wilderness School Seasonal Instructors. Anticipated start date for these positions will begin April 5, 2021 and end on/or before November 18, 2021. Preferences will be given to candidates that have the requirements listed in the position below. Position hours (shifts) will vary according to the duties of the position.

Assignments for the seasonal positions and per diem rates (minimum and maximum):

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

Recruitment for these positions will be ongoing with varying start/end dates.

*Minimum and maximum per diem 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.

Selection Plan

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meets the preferred qualifications, so please ensure that your application is complete and details your experience as outlined in this job posting. Please include your resume within the "Resume Tab" of your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system. Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, attendance reports, supervisory references, college transcripts, etc. at the discretion of the hiring agency. You do not have to submit these documents with your application.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

Should you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Jasmyn Raymond at Jasmyn.Raymond@ct.gov.

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.

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; 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.

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

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.

Conclusion

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.