Adventure Instructor ($800/week plus free meals and lodging)

Job Title: Adventure Instructor
Department: Adventure Programs
Compensation: $800 per week base rate, 10% boost for Spanish speakers, 3% raise for returning staff.  
Schedule: 6+ days per week
Dates of Employment: May 13, 2024 or May 20, 2024 – August 16, 2024
Reports To: Adventure Programs Manager
Housing Available: Yes
Location: Summit County, CO 80435
 

About Keystone Science School 
With the outdoors as a backdrop for learning, Keystone Science School inspires curiosity and critical thinking through the lens of science to change lives and strengthen communities. KSS offers a variety of adventure and traditional camp activities within a structured environment designed to allow each camper and participant to understand their potential. In all programs, campers and participants will create lifelong friendships, explore and learn about the natural world, and gain leadership and wilderness skills.  For more information go to keystonescienceschool.org 

With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with raised consciousness in order to impact how we work with clients, as well as how we work together as a team. 
 

Position Overview
Keystone Science School’s Adventures are designed to build a novice’s skill and excitement to explore the outdoors. Adventures are either 6-day or 12-day programs designed to build competency in outdoor living and leadership skills. Our adventure programs are each their own unique combination of front and back country camping/activities ranging car camping to backpacking. The unique locations for our Adventures cater well to place-based environmental education as students explore beautiful landscapes and ecosystems. We believe that students can utilize lessons learned on an Adventure in their future including: relationships with friends, projects at school, and future work opportunities.  
  
Adventure Instructors are responsible for planning and facilitating curriculum and activities during field-based programs. Adventure Instructors are familiar with the daily schedule, risk management practices, emergency action plans, and the overall energy of Adventure programs. They are responsible for guiding students in their personal growth and daily living skills. Adventure Instructors also manage logistics and packing for off-site programs on a rotating basis.  
The job duties of this position are performed personally, in cooperation with your supervisor, and/or in coordination with other staff. Additional work functions and duties may be assigned.

Job Duties

Main areas of focus:  

65% Teaching and facilitating programming/activities;  
10% Lesson planning and curriculum development;  
25% Support duties (e.g. facilitation of meals, set up/clean up, transportation, student free time).  
 
 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities  
Supervise up to 13 students in the front and backcountry on 6-12 day programs with other instructors;  
You can expect to work 6-7 days per week with one to two days off in between trips. Expect regular 18-hour work days and responsibility to respond to student needs 24 hours a day while on a trip. 
Teach students outdoor living skills such as packing, camp set-up/take-down, outdoor cooking, orienteering, and risk management;  
Maintain organization of storage areas and upkeep, clean, repair, and inventory gear as needed.
Teach students basic rock climbing safety and skills.
Plan, prepare, and teach age appropriate curricula and leadership.
 Document course progression/student concerns, participate in self and peer feedback system, and engage in a post trip debrief.
Able to carry pack weights of up to 60 pounds.
Commitment to own professional growth as well as improving technical and interpersonal skills.
Implement Adventure logistics including schedules, trip routes, emergency action plans, menus, etc.;  
Supervise and maintain high standards of health and safety, and follow Risk Management policies by engaging with incident prevention and response;  
Attend and help facilitate wilderness trainings for Instructors, and attend all staff meetings and trainings as assigned;  
Administer client medications, perform student health screens, and utilize first aid skills;  
Gather and submit pictures and videos to reflect the experience children have during KSS programs;  
Provide an electronics-aware experience for all children;  
Drive a 15-passenger van with a trailer and successfully complete Van Driver and Trailer Training;  
Abide by and uphold the policies and procedures set forth by KSS;