Challenge Course Instructor

Description

Application Instructions

• Application closes November 29
• Instead of a cover letter, the application will ask some scheduling questions and "what about this position interests you?" 
• Interviews will start the week of December 1

Position Description

Come join our close-knit community of passionate outdoor educators as a challenge Course Instructor. You will facilitate day programs at our Challenge Course in McLaren Park, San Francisco with Bay Area youth (grades 6-12) and community members. You’ll plan the flow of the day, set up and break down the challenge course, and safely facilitate students through high & low ropes elements, ground games, and team-building activities. We’ll teach you how to deliver programs that instill courage, teamwork, confidence, and self-awareness in our participants. Make a difference in the Bay Area as we get folks outside and build community together!

Compensation & Schedule (Part-Time)

• Starting wage is $24.25/hr with opportunities to promote to lead positions (up to $29.80/hr).
• This is a part-time, non-exempt, hourly position, typically 2.5-3 days a week (~20 hrs/week).
• Staff meet to prepare for the week for a half day on most Mondays, with a full-day meeting about once a month. Student programs run Tuesday-Friday (with occasional Saturdays). Staff shifts vary depending on the group’s timing, but are most often 8am-4pm.
• Our season begins in late January with two weeks of required paid training.  Our season ends in November with opportunities to return for the following season.
• Paid Training: 8 hrs/day, 4 days per week between Mon-Fri, Jan 25 - Feb 5, 2027.
• Program Season: Mon-Sat, Feb 9 - Nov 18, 2027.
• There is an unpaid summer break of programs from June 7-11 & July 26-30, 2027.
• Availability of work is dependent on the number of booked programs.

Benefits (Part-Time)

• Paid Time Off - Accrue 1 hour for every 13 hrs worked.
• Unpaid Time Off - Employees can accrue up to 80 hours of unpaid time off each year.
• 401K after 1-year of employment.
• Pro Deals (the opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at discounted rates)
• Free youth development training, professional development funds, and recertification reimbursements.
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP), free of charge for staff and family members.
• All required training is paid.

Location

Most program days take place at the McLaren Park Ropes Course in southeast San Francisco. 

Who We Are

At Outward Bound California (OBCA) we use challenging outdoor experiences to teach social-emotional skills like teamwork, leadership, and compassion. We offer a wide range of programs, including high/low ropes activities at our San Francisco Challenge Course and multi-day rock climbing/backpacking trips in the High Sierra and Joshua Tree. Our programs encourage our participants (ages 12+, including adults and veterans) to embrace challenges and reflect on how they want to contribute to their communities and the world. To learn more about our ropes course elements, check out the video tour. 

We are a part of the  Outward Bound USA network with a 65-year history in the US as a leading provider of outdoor education. OBCA is a non-profit and is committed to increasing access for those who have traditionally been excluded from outdoor spaces. We work towards this goal with our 40 community partners and by offering scholarships to more than half of our students. 

OBCA strives to create an equitable and inclusive culture where our staff feel respected for their identities and lived experiences. We are looking for team members who can actively join us in the process of furthering our vision for equity and belonging. We recognize that the outdoor industry has historically excluded those with non-dominant identities and know that has led to underrepresentation in this line of work. We strongly encourage those who more significantly face the impacts of exclusion and oppression to apply.  

Requirements

Who You Are

Outward Bound California acknowledges BIPOC folks, trans and non-binary folks, and women may be less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe that they meet all of the qualifications listed in a job description. Your skills, experience, and education can come from personal interests, self-directed learning, community roles, and life experiences. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are interested in the position, even if you do not believe that you meet all of the qualifications.

An Educator

• Have prior experience in experiential, outdoor, or environmental education programs
• Familiar with belaying and spotting low and high ropes course activities
• Passionate about working with youth, especially teens and middle schoolers
• Have a deep understanding and personal commitment to equity and inclusion in the outdoors
• Lived experience or experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds including age, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic class and members of the LGBTQ+ community 
• Comfortable giving and receiving feedback
• Able to facilitate social-emotional learning
• Adaptable to the different learning needs of students

Physical & Mental Requirements

• Able to participate in all course activities while maintaining energy, strength, and focus to aid students and instructors
• Able to maintain composure, exercise sound judgment and decision-making, and assess and mitigate risk under periods of stress
• Able to lift and transport 20-50 pounds of gear several times a day
• Can be on feet most days - sometimes for up to 8 hours a day
• Comfortable working outdoors, regardless of weather or season
• Comfortable working outdoors and climbing to height

Additional Requirements (by Start Date)

• First Aid & CPR/AED
• 19 years of age or older
• Able to work Monday (half day) and nontraditional hours (8am-4pm)
• Because we work with youth, staff must be willing to authorize a federal & Live Scan background check and provide current TB screen/test results (cost paid or reimbursed by OBCA)

Bonus if you…

• Speak Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese
• Have held a valid US or Canadian driver’s license for at least 3 years

Responsibilities

Ropes Course Operation

• Facilitate students through a 1-day challenge course program 
• Fit personal safety equipment
• Belay participants and teach/monitor student belayers
• Set up and break down of course

Program Design & Delivery

• Plan and facilitate programs in conjunction with Outward Bound values and partner’s desired outcomes
• Assess students to ensure all activities are appropriate for experience level and social/cultural needs 
• Role model inclusive behavior and build a positive group culture
• Demonstrate cultural responsiveness and an ongoing desire to work with students from diverse backgrounds
• Create an emotionally safe environment for students and staff
• Consistently give and receive feedback with co-workers and supervisor to support a learning community

Safety & Risk Management

• Adhere to all operating procedures, safety policies, and emergency procedures outlined in the staff handbook
• Clearly establish limits and boundaries for student behavior and independence
• Respond to or manage a student group in emergencies as appropriate
• Able to safely and efficiently perform high angle rescue in training and as needed
• Practice proper self-care and energy management while working outdoors, regardless of weather or season
• Uses good judgment while making decisions regarding safe use of the challenge course
• Uphold Outward Bound’s zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect. Protecting our minor students against abuse and neglect is of the highest priority.

Outward Bound California recognizes that people holding certain identities often face barriers to access the training and skills in the job description. We encourage folks to apply even if they do not meet every qualification listed above.

Outward Bound California is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Outward Bound California also promotes respect for all people, and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.