Menogyn Fall Trail Guide at YMCA OF THE NORTH in Grand Marais, Minnesota

Job Description:

The Camping Department ofYMCA of the North islookingtohire adiverseteam ofenthusiastic,responsibleand adventurousTrail Guides (Instructors)whoare excited aboutyouth development,outdoorrecreation, wilderness traveland adventure education.TheYMCA of the North is a leader inoutdoorrecreation,outdoorand adventureeducation, youth developmentand wilderness travel.

Trail Guides (Instructors)are first and foremostyouth development professionals and mentors. Trail Guides (Instructors) usethecontext ofwilderness canoeandbackpack expeditionstobuild confidence, leadershipandself-awarenessin participantsas well asbuildcommunitywithin groupsandwithournaturalenvironment.Our ideal applicantshaveexperience inyouthdevelopmentandoutdooreducationas well as a passion forspending timeoutdoors.Applicants shouldbe readyto spend most of theirtimeoutdoors-canoeing and backpackingwith youth.Weareprepared tohelpTrail Guides (Instructors) developtechnicalwilderness,canoeing and backpacking skillsif they do notcomewithexperience in these areas.

Trail Guides (Instructors)solo or co-leadsmall groups of 4-7participants onovernightwildernesscanoe,backpackand rock-climbingexpeditionsthat range in length from1nightto 40 nights.Trail Guides (Instructors)can expect to spend most of theirtimeoutdoors -leading groupson canoe tripsin the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico Provincial Park. We also send groupsto wilderness destinations all over the northern US and Canada.Backpackingtrips travel tothe Beartooth Mountains in Montana,WillmoreWildernessPark in Alberta, CA, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,as well asthe Wind River and Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming. Canoeing groups also travel toAtikaki, Woodland Caribou andWabakimiProvincial Parksin Manitoba and Ontarioand the Canadian and Alaskan Arctic.

Trail Guides (Instructors)can expectto learn and grow fromchallenging but rewardingwildernesscanoe and backpack experienceswith, primarily,youthparticipants.Trail Guides (Instructors)will alsobe expectedsupportgeneraloperationsat our basecampsincluding maintenance,issuingfood and gear, driving groups tocanoe and backpack tripdestinations and camp traditions likegames, group singing and campfires.

If you are excited about youth development onwilderness canoe and backpack expeditions,a Trail Guide (Instructor) position is for you!Apply if you are looking for a rewarding and challenging outdooradventure!
Benefits and Pay:
Free seasonal YMCA MembershipYMCA Program Discounts$90/day (depending on qualifications) + food and lodgingSubsidized Wilderness First Responder and Lifeguarding certifications

1. Job Summary:
The Trail Counselor is responsible for leadership in group facilitation and wilderness camping for groups of teenagers, families, or adults as well as program support.
2. Essential Functions:
Provide professional and culturally sensitive leadership to diverse groups of campers on overnight wilderness trips and during pre-trip preparation
Provide inclusive instruction in wilderness camping, canoeing, and backpacking
Participate in camp programs, such as campfires, group singing, and games
Guide and influence the trail group's social interaction and personal growth
Observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, and apply the necessary behavior-management techniques
Promote the core values Caring, Equity, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility
Enforce safety and health regulations and emergency procedures
Comfortable leading a group of teenagers for at least 7 days in remote and backcountry wilderness areas
Complete all paperwork including camper evaluations, parent letters and trip reports etc. in a timely, high-quality manner
Participate in routine camp maintenance, facility upkeep and other duties as assigned

3. Relationships:
This position reports to both the Program Director and Executive Director. Trail Counselors need to maintain professional, positive working relationships with the entire camp team including kitchen staff, office and support staff and other trail counselors.

4. Qualifications:
Required:
Requiredcertifications provided by YMCA or other certified organization may be acquired after hire but must be completed before an employee supervises youth in the backcountry:
Lifeguard certification. The YMCA recognizes and accepts certifications from the following institutions: American Red Cross, YMCA, Star Guard, and Boy Scouts of America
Basic Life Support/CPR for the Professional Rescuer (renewed annually). Must include adult, child, and infant 1 and 2 person and use of an AED.
o The YMCA recognizes and accepts certifications from the following institutions: American Safety and Health Institute BLS, American Red Cross BLS or CPR for the Professional Rescuer, American Heart Association Basic Life Support.
Wilderness First Responder (WFR).
o The YMCA recognizes and accepts WFRcertifications from a variety of institutions if they meet certainrequirements. A full course must be at least 70 hours with a practical in-person component, must be called a Wilderness First Respondercertification, and the institution providing the certification must have a medical director who is an MD and advises on the curriculum.
Minimum age of 18 years
If applicable, valid DOT Medical Examiners Certificate
o Valid US Drivers License and ability to pass both external driving background check and camp driving evaluation as well as a Physical Exam
o Minimum age of 21
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Experienceor education in wilderness risk management, camp counseling, outdoor education, outdoor recreation, youth development, orrelatedfield
Training or experience in wilderness camping, canoeing, backpacking, and/or trip planning
Demonstrated good judgment without direct supervision
Ability to operate in an emotionally demanding environment without access to front-country support systems
Strong organizational and communication skills
A sense of adventure
Rock Guide Counselor position: requires documented climbing experience
Preferred:
1season of experience leading wilderness trips, camp counseling or a related field
Leadership experience with groups of youth
Wilderness camping experience

5. Work Conditions:
Ability to communicate and work with groups of campers, adults and families
Emotional awareness, health and stability to create a supportive, empowering and affirming environment for young people
Visual, auditory, and decision-making ability to calmly and effectively identify and respond to environmental, human and other hazards related to remote travel.
Ability to lift and carry canoe and backpack weighing up to 100 lbs in rough and hilly terrain for extended periods of time.
Ability to live and work outside in a wide variety of conditions including extreme weather.

6. Additional Notes:
At all times the Trail Guide must keep the safety and enriching experience of the campers in the forefront of their thoughts and actions.
This job description represents the major functions of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive. The Trail Guide is also responsible for taking direction from the Executive Director and Program Director or their representatives in completing projects or performing duties deemed necessary for the Branch or Association success.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Pledge
The Y of the North is committed to the work and everyday practices of eliminating disparities and eradicating of unjust systems to become a multicultural, anti-racist and anti-oppressive organization. YMCA of the North team members and volunteers must exemplify the associations mission, vision and values of caring, equity, honesty, respect and responsibility.
The YMCA of the North continues to develop plans and strategies to ensure team members and volunteers reflect the demographics of the communities we serve. We will continually conduct institutional racism and oppression review of our policies, procedures and practices in recruitment and selection; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; promotions; transfers; layoffs; terminations; and the ongoing development of a multicultural, anti-racist and anti-oppressive work environment and culture that promotes equity and respect for the human dignity of all. We value and respect this diversity and choose to be inclusive through our acceptance of all.