Junior Mountaineers Expeditionary & Hut Overnight Camp Instructor

Junior Mountaineers Expeditionary & Hut Overnight Camp Instructor

Recruitment began on January 28, 2026

and the job listing Expires on February 28, 2026

Western Colorado University invites applications for the summer position of Junior Mountaineers Camp (JMC) Expeditionary & Hut Overnight Camp Instructor. Full-time summer positions are available. Work hours will be Sunday at 1pm through Friday at 5pm per overnight weekly camp.

Responsibilities: The position reports to the Junior Mountaineers Camp Director and is responsible for assisting the Lead Instructor with leading groups of youth (4th-6th grade, 6th-8th grade, 7th-9th grade, 10th-12th grade) in outdoor recreation activities including, but not limited to: hiking, backpacking, camping, nature-based art, outdoor survival skills, mountain biking, stand up paddle boarding, environmental stewardship projects, and outdoor education. Instructors will assist with coaching campers on outdoor recreation skills, managing risk/emergencies (illness, injury, weather) in the backcountry and front country, managing individual and group behavior, and coordinating the safe preparation/cooking/cleaning up of meals.

This is an on-campus, in-person position running from late May through August.

Qualifications: Valid driver’s license that meets WCU’s driving requirements, CPR/AED, First Aid, and Medication Administration (will be provided), and WFA Certification. Must be at least 21 years of age.

State Licensing Requirements:

• Ability to pass state‑licensed required CBI, FBI, Trails background checks
• Complete and submit annual health history
• Twelve months (1810 hours) of leadership experience with groups of youth ages 5 and older, since the age of 18 years OR six months (910 hours) of leadership experience with groups of youth ages 5 and older, since the age of 18 years and a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree in Outdoor Education or Recreation.
• Three (3) hours of hiking experience
• Four (4) hours of backpacking / camping experience
• Three (3) hours of mountain biking experience

Willingness to work long, irregular hours. Leadership and staff supervision experience.

Preferred Qualifications: WFR Certification. Experience leading/guiding outdoor recreation trips, teaching science/physical education/elementary education to youth ages 5-18. Six (6) hours of documented experience indicating knowledge and skill in hiking instruction and documented experience of hiking within the past two years. Red Cross lifeguard certification or eight (8) hours of documented experience indicating knowledge and skill in watercraft instruction and documented experience of engaging in the activity within the past two (2) years.

Eight (8) hours of documented experience indicating knowledge and skill in backpacking and camping instruction and documented experience of backpacking and camping within the past two (2) years. Knowledge of CDHS State Licensing Rules & Regulations.

Compensation: $15.16 per hour, approximately $1150 per overnight weekly camp