Part-Time Tacoma Program Instructor

Who We Are

The Mountaineers is a community of outdoor recreationists and conservationists founded in 1906 to explore the peaks and waterways of the Pacific Northwest. Today, we have more than 16,000 members and seven branches in Western Washington, where we deliver most of our outdoor education programming. Thanks to the work of generations of volunteers and our internationally recognized publishing division, we continue to enjoy an outstanding reputation in the fields of outdoor education, recreation, and public lands conservation and advocacy.

Our dedicated volunteers and staff get people outside to experience the power of the natural world. We advocate for access and protection of recreational lands so that future generations can enjoy these places too. Our core value of community reflects the belief that a diverse and inclusive outdoors inspires unity, respect, and passion for the places we love. Our 45 staff, divided between our program centers and our nonprofit publishing division, Mountaineers Books, and 2,500+ volunteers work together to achieve our mission to enrich lives by helping people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Learn more at mountaineers.org.

Position Description

This position is responsible for providing excellent program instruction for our Mountaineers youth programs. The Program Instructor will be responsible for lesson planning and delivery for After School Climbing Club, Partner Programs, and assist or lead trips and skills sessions for year-round youth clubs. This position may lead single-day or multi-day experiences designed to expose youth to basic outdoor skills, including rock climbing, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, wilderness first aid, 10 Essentials and Leave No Trace, and more.

Program Delivery

• Teach curriculum and/or lead trips for a variety of age groups. Curriculum may include:
• Map & Compass
• First Aid
• Climbing
• Outdoor Cooking
• Leave No Trace
• Hiking, snowshoeing, backpacking, or xc skiing
• Work closely with volunteer instructors and assistants
• Set-up, clean-up and curriculum development as needed
• Train volunteer assistants as needed
• Lead or co-lead day hikes, snowshoe outings, and day climbing trips to local crags

Candidate Requirements

• Proficiency climbing and belaying in a single pitch environment
• Ability to pass criminal background check
• Experience working with youth
• Outdoor education experience
• Ability to safely lead bolted routes up to 5.7
• Current First Aid & CPR certification

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee will be require to stand for extended periods of time while leading youth, and must be able to hike on uneven and hilly terrain continuously for up to eight miles. The employee is occasionally required to bend, squat, run or climb as part of duties leading youth.

This position is for a part-time employee, averaging 10-15 hrs/week. Hours vary between weekdays, weekends, daytime and evenings.