Outdoor Instructor

As an Outdoor Instructor, you'll deliver thrilling outdoor experiences that ignite a love for learning and foster deeper connections. With our Outdoor School Programs, Teambuilding, and Group and Family Retreats programs, you'll lead guided hikes, ecological lessons, team building activities, recreational creative programming, and exhilarating high and low ropes elements. Rain or shine, you'll engage with students and guests of all ages, bringing the magic of nature to life. While creating unforgettable memories.

We encourage candidates from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and language proficiencies to join our team. Frost Valley YMCA embraces diversity and aims to showcase our collective heritage in the natural world. Together, we'll create an inclusive and empowering environment.

Frost Valley YMCA seeks to promote an awareness of the interrelatedness of the natural world through the usage of the natural sciences. We promote deeper connections for our students and guests with the outdoors, with each other, and with themselves.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Facilitate, plan, and implement programs with small groups of students and guests in the areas of ecology, challenge course, group work, outdoor education/recreation, creative and recreational arts, which are primarily based outdoors.
Show and teach students and other guests new skills, helping them gain confidence in themselves and in the outdoors.
Prepare, develop, and maintain program spaces and resources for use by staff and participants, which includes weekly cleaning and organization of spaces and lodges.
Serve as host and point of contact for school and team building groups during their stay.
Support other areas of programs including rope element set up and take down and facilitating the dining hall.
Participate in training and development opportunities.
This position requires weekend and evening work
Embrace the Frost Valley YMCA’s eight core values of respect, responsibility, caring, honesty, community, diversity, stewardship and inclusion.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Special Benefits

Rate of Pay - $15.25/hr - overtime paid at time and half
Housing and meals/groceries included- estimated value of about $10,000/year
(Shared and individual housing on-site with a private room)
Medical/Dental/ Vision insurance effective the 1st of the month, after completing 60 days
Company paid holidays, and 40 hours of sick time
Free access to onsite gym
Relocation reimbursement up to $300 to support your journey to Frost Valley
Receive Frost Valley branded items for that outdoor adventurer look
Outdoor pro-deals and Frost Valley store discounts to gear up for your own adventures

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Previous experience working with children and adults, either in classrooms, after school programs, nature centers, outdoor schools or camp setting
Commitment to working with guests from diverse backgrounds, have empathy and respect for their social and emotional lives
Effective leadership, teaching, facilitation and communication skills
A commitment to exceptional guest service, ensuring warm hospitality and attention to detail
A deep passion for the outdoors, fueled by awe and wonder
Bachelor’s degree in Education, Environmental Studies, Outdoor Recreation, related fields a plus OR equivalent life experiences
Hold current First Aid/CPR certifications, or ability to obtain upon hire
Excellent communication and organization skills, a strong and reliable leader
Successful working under pressure and safety-minded in decision-making
Available to work evenings and weekend
Ready for new and exciting challenges every day

Why work here

Are you a vibrant and passionate outdoor recreation focused individual? Then we would love to have you join our dynamic team! While working at Frost Valley in the Catskills in NY, you can explore the great outdoors, inspire young minds, and make unforgettable memories at one of the most exciting outdoor education, retreats, and camp centers!