Connecticut StateDepartment of Administrative Services

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Wilderness School Seasonal Instructor

Recruitment #220303-4038VR-001

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Introduction




Do you enjoy working outdoors and mentoring 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.

We are currently recruiting for up to twenty-eight (28) Wilderness School Seasonal Instructors. Anticipated start date for these positions will begin April 8, 2022 and end on or before November 17, 2022. 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 note: 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 in this job class.

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 support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jasmyn Raymond, Jasmyn.Raymond@ct.gov.

This position may be subject to Federal requirements for COVID 19 Vaccination Immunization.

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@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.



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The State of Connecticut is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages the application of women, minorities and persons with disabilities.

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