Culture Camp Specialty Instructor

specialty instructor

the specialty instructor provides focused cultural, artistic, or subsistence instruction during culture camp through short-term workshops, demonstrations, or single-session engagements. Specialty instructors are cultural knowledge holders, artists, or practitioners who support the camp by sharing specific skills, teachings, or experiences with youth participants. Unlike core instructors, this role is not responsible for daily supervision or camp operations but instead contributes targeted learning experiences that enhance the overall program.

Specialty instructors work alongside core instructors and camp staff, who maintain responsibility for youth supervision, transitions, and daily camp structure.

essential functions:

• design and deliver a focused workshop, demonstration, or cultural teaching session
• share knowledge in a way that is accessible, engaging, and age-appropriate
• provide instruction in a specific area such as:
  • traditional arts
  • subsistence skills
  • cultural practices
  • storytelling
  • language elements
• coordinate with camp leadership on timing, materials, and expectations
• assist in preparing materials or tools needed for instruction
• maintain safe practices when demonstrating tools, materials, or techniques
• respect cultural protocols and boundaries in all teachings
• support a respectful learning environment during sessions
• participate in basic setup and cleanup related to their workshop

• model tlingit values like respect, responsibility, humility, and reciprocity in all interactions with campers and staff.
• mandatory reporter.
• performs other duties as assigned.

role limitations:

• specialty instructors:
  • are not responsible for direct supervision of youth outside their session
  • do not manage camp schedules, behavior systems, or transitions
  • work under the direction of:
    • core instructors
    • camp leadership
  • must defer behavioral or safety concerns to camp staff immediately

knowledge, skills and abilities:

knowledge of:

• working with tribal programs, education programs, or youth programs is preferred.
• safety protocols and hygiene standards and ability to follow them.
• the tlingit history of yakutat, tlingit arts and subsistence lifestyle is preferred but not required.
• cultural knowledge of tlingit practices, or willingness to learn and respectfully integrate traditional teachings into daily camp life.

skill in:

• strong written and oral communication.
• strong teamwork and collaboration skills across multiple program areas.
• dependability and a strong work ethic.
• leadership, with the ability to guide and support young people respectfully.
• strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• strong interpersonal and people skills, including the ability to work with parents, youth, elders, and staff in a respectful and welcoming manner.
• problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• self-motivated and dependable, able to work independently or collaboratively.

• working well with others, to include public

ability to:

• handle multiple tasks and work under short time frames and attend to
• ability to adapt activities to meet a range of developmental needs and interests of older youth.
• serve as a positive role model
• be flexible, patient, and have a team-centered attitude.
• comfortable working with youth of all ages and backgrounds.
• meet physical demands to assist with set-up, clean-up, and carrying supplies between locations.
• provide support where needed and proactively offer support to instructors, cooks, and leadership staff.
• maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with care and professionalism.
• flexibility to adapt to shifting schedules or needs during culture camp operations.
• safely transport themselves to and from the situk river camp site.
• work independently with brief verbal instructions, as well as prioritize.

work environment/physical demands:

the work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity. The employee must be able to read, write, speak and hear.

reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

supervisory and management responsibility:

this position has no formally assigned supervisory responsibility or authority.

minimum qualifications:

• high school diploma or ged required.
• must be 18 years of age or older.
• experience working with teens or youth in an educational, recreational, mentorship, or cultural program setting.
• must be able to pass a national criminal and state background check.
• this position has been designated as having regular contact or control over indian children and will require an additional fbi criminal background check.
• valid alaska driver's license.

disclosures:

we welcome applications from all…