North Carolina Mountains Assistant Instructor

~ Founded in 1967, North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) is a charter member of the leading outdoor education network in the world. ~

Our wilderness courses, from the mountains of North Carolina to the shores of south Florida to the peaks of South America, deliver our mission to change lives through challenge and discovery.

Position Overview

The Assistant Instructor position is an entry-level instructional role, providing familiarity with OB procedures, policies, and the local course area. The Assistant Instructor works under the direct supervision of the Instructor, Lead Instructor and Course Director and is responsible for supervising students, teaching OB curriculum and facilitating all course activities throughout the course.

The Lead Instructor position is for staff that have 1.5 - 3 years of prior experience in the primary role of leading extended wilderness expeditions with groups. 

At the North Carolina Outward Bound School, we are dedicated to the goal of building a vibrant, culturally diverse community of staff who are committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. In this effort, we strongly encourage women, people of color, people with disabilities, and veterans to apply. 

Time Commitment: 

Summer is our busiest time at Outward Bound. Almost all of our field staff begin working with our summer and fall programs (May - October). To blossom as an Instructor requires a commitment of two or more summers.

We hire staff for the following seasons:

North Carolina Mountains (staff are encouraged to work multiple seasons and may have the opportunity to work during our winter season in the Everglades course area based on their skill set.)

•   Spring Season: March – May
•   Summer Season: Mid-May – August
•   Fall Season: September – October

Responsibilities

• Assists the Instructor in the delivery of Outward Bound mission, educational framework and required course components.
• Participates in course planning, including the development of educational and technical curricula, route planning, food and equipment organization/packing, and more.
• Manages student group and all emergencies in Instructor’s absence.
• Provides clear, effective and timely communication with the Instructor, Course Director and other staff.
• Locates and uses communication systems in the event of an emergency.
• Adheres to all local operating procedures, safety policies and emergency procedures outlined in the NCOBS Policy Manual and LOPP’s. 
• Participates in required staff training. New Staff average 35-days of training in their first year.
• Consistently strives to give and receive timely, honest feedback with co-workers and supervisors.
• Commits to own professional growth as well as improving technical and interpersonal skills. 

Qualifications

• 21 years of age or older.
• Current Wilderness First Responder and CPR certifications.
• Must be willing to commit to multiple years of work. To blossom as an Instructor requires a commitment of two or more years.
• Bachelor degree and/or 2-3 years’ experience in the outdoor education/experiential learning field or any similar combination of education and experience.
• Outward Bound or other wilderness expeditionary experience preferred. (OB, NOLS, College Outing/Orientation trip or equivalent)
• Excellent leadership, organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Flexible, adaptable and open to change.
• Strong personal motivation, initiative, follow through and commitment. 
• Able to effectively plan and deliver engaging experience-based educational lessons to achieve desired outcomes.
• Able to work effectively with students of different ages and backgrounds.
• Have a level of competence in backpacking skills and experience that enables the individual to focus on the students’ performance and not their own. Suggested 20+ days, some of which should be extended expeditionary travel.
• Confident in basic navigation using map and compass.
• Can assess and choose safe route through 3rd class terrain.
• Excellent self-care and ability to oversee self-care of students in a backcountry setting.
• Knowledge of environmental hazards and weather patterns. 

Climbing Skills:

• Able to teach basic climbing skills, such as movement over rocks, knots and hitches, and belay technique.
• Able to climb (top rope) 5.5 or better top rope.
• Ability to belay and rappel without guidance. 
• Experience with managing students at a rocks site.
• Experience with ropes courses as a student or staff is preferred. 

Canoeing Skills:

• Personal whitewater paddling experience and comfort on class ll and lll white water.
• Ability to perform basic tandem canoe strokes in both bow and stern and execute basic maneuvers.
• Competence in identifying & assessing river hazards.
• Ability to frame and facilitate a paddling experience with students.  

Physical Requirements:

• Must be sufficiently fit to participate in all site and course activities and maintain ample energy, strength and focus to aid students and instructors. This includes:
  • Extended time on your feet – sometimes for up to 16+ hours a day, or possibly more in the case of an emergency.
  • Ability to carry a 40 – 65 pound pack on and off trail for up to 12+ hours in a day.
  • Ability to complete 7-mile running event over mountainous terrain. (Finishing in 75 minutes is an encouraged benchmark.) 

Compensation 

• Pay is per diem and based upon the NCOBS field staff pay scale (starting rate is $70 per day).
• Recognition of previous experience awarded with commensurate pay. 
• Rustic but comfortable housing is provided; laundry, showers and internet are available for your use on base.
• Access to seasonal staff benefits (professional development opportunities and funds, pro-deal purchase program, etc.)
• When working, staff receive field food on course and are fed out of the common kitchen while on base. While not working, staff can receive food and housing in exchange for completing two hours of service per day. There is a cook present for the summer months who prepares lunch and dinner daily. Breakfast food items are provided, as well. 

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to upload your cover letter, resume, and relevant technical experience.
• Please include three references within your resume. 
• Supplemental documents can be uploaded as appropriate.
• Qualified candidates will be contacted to set up an interview.
• Applications are due by January 15th, 2018.

Most of our hiring is done between November and January for work that begins the following spring.  Hiring may also be done on a rolling basis depending on the needs of the school. 

~ North Carolina Outward Bound School prohibits discrimination against, and harassment of, any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, age, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, qualified individuals with a disability on the basis of the disability, or any other category which may be protected under applicable local, state or federal law. NCOBS promotes respect for all people, and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics nor on differences based on gender identity or expression. ~