Outdoor Seasonal Instructor

Outdoor Instructors are core members of the GirlVentures instructional team and serve as frontline program staff responsible for supervising and mentoring youth participants.

Instructors lead and support multi-day outdoor courses lasting 7–14 days in campground and backcountry settings. Programs include backpacking, climbing, kayaking, leadership development, and environmental education.

Instructors work as part of a team that includes a Course Director, Co-Instructor, and a high school-aged Assistant Instructor participating in GirlVentures’ Leadership Development Program.

This is a seasonal residential position requiring overnight work during courses.

What This Job Is Like

Working as a GirlVentures Instructor is rewarding and demanding. Instructors should expect to:

• Live and work outdoors with youth for 7–14 consecutive days
• Take responsibility for participant safety and group wellbeing in dynamic outdoor environments
• Facilitate conversations about leadership, identity, and community with diverse groups of youth
• Work long, active days that include hiking, teaching, cooking, and supporting group dynamics
• Collaborate closely with a small instructional team while modeling leadership and adaptability

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor youth participants during multi-day outdoor programs
• Facilitate GirlVentures leadership, outdoor skills, and social justice curriculum
• Support backpacking, rock climbing, and sea kayaking program components under the direction of the Course Director
• Prepare course materials including curriculum supplies, food packing, and gear organization (with logistics staff support)
• Maintain safety and risk management protocols during all program activities
• Model leadership, teamwork, and personal responsibility in residential outdoor settings
• Mentor and support the high school Assistant Instructor
• Maintain positive relationships with program partners, guides, and staff
• Participate in course debriefs, evaluations, and student assessments

Required Qualifications

• Experience working with middle or high school youth in educational, mentoring, or outdoor settings
• Experience leading groups in outdoor environments
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification (must be current before the summer season; partial reimbursement may be available)
• Ability to live and work outdoors for 7–14 consecutive days
• Strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and youth development
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and ability to safely drive youth in a large SUV

Preferred Qualifications

• Climbing and/or kayaking instructor certification
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Experience facilitating leadership, identity, or social justice programming
• Class B Commercial Driver’s License with passenger endorsement
• Experience navigating alpine terrain both on and off trail

Physical Requirements

Ability to hike up to 8 miles per day while carrying a backpack weighing up to 40 lbs, and to live and work in campground or backcountry environments for extended periods.

Spanish bilingual preferred