BOLD & GOLD Wilderness Instructor

BOLD & GOLD Spring Wilderness Instructor

Join to apply for the BOLD & GOLD Spring Wilderness Instructor role at YMCA of Greater Seattle.

The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner.

$135-$165.00/Day

Do you want to make a difference in the world and have fun while doing it? As a Wilderness Instructor, you and a co‑lead will be responsible for the physical and emotional safety of up to 10 participants while engaging them in activities such as backpacking, rock climbing, paddling, and snowshoeing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Instructors work from a set itinerary, manage the risks of backcountry travel, and facilitate a variety of workshops and activities that help participants develop their own leadership style.

BOLD & GOLD is dedicated to inspiring courage and confidence in diverse groups of youth through outdoor adventures. As a program of the Camping & Outdoor Leadership branch of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, BOLD & GOLD offers year‑round partnership programs and summer expedition experiences. Partnership programs engage with schools, non‑profits, and community‑based organizations to design and implement transformative outdoor experiences.

The summer expedition program runs single‑gender and all‑gender expeditions that engage youth through front country and backcountry trips ranging in length from 5 to 15 days. BOLD & GOLD experiences take place in Mt Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, national forests, Washington state parks, and local green spaces. Activities include backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, snowshoeing, fishing, yoga, art, music, and literature.

The goal of BOLD & GOLD is to increase confidence, courage, emotional intelligence, wonder, and community awareness in our participants. BOLD & GOLD believes these traits are the foundations of leadership and works to inspire participants to develop their own leadership style. BOLD & GOLD prepares young people to be the next generation of leaders through multicultural experiential education in the natural world.

• Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household
• Free access to mental health resources
• Rapidly‑accruing paid time off (PTO)
• Subsidized ORCA transit pass
• Access to discounted gear and equipment through pro deals

• Lead 1‑5 day wilderness‑based backpacking, camping, rock climbing, or outdoor skill based courses with an emphasis on multicultural leadership.
• Build strong rapport with participants and staff, foster positive group development, create structure, and draw learning from experiential activities.
• Model cultural humility and celebrate diversity, effectively working with people of different identities, backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
• Ensure both a physically and emotionally safe and inclusive environment for youth and staff.
• Transport participants in 14‑passenger mini‑buses to and from program areas.
• Manage the unique risks of wilderness‑based programs.
• Other duties as assigned

• Two or more years of experience working with teens in an organized setting, including facilitating activities that address issues facing adolescents.
• Excellent judgment and decision‑making skills.
• Strong group facilitation, communication, and conflict resolution skills. Knowledge of developmental needs of teens; demonstrates an understanding of the needs of teens and the ability to evaluate their needs individually.
• Experience making the transference of a wilderness experience relevant to the everyday lives of underserved youth.
• Personal or professional experience in backpacking, rock climbing, paddling, and/or snowshoeing.
• Be able to hike and/or backpack over a variety of terrain…