Outdoor Program Job Descriptions

I. General.

Leaders must always be thought of as role models, yet they should never think of themselves as more important than the ones they have the privilege to serve. Christ-likeness must be their goal and seeing Christ developed in others their vision. The Outdoor Program at Spring Canyon offers the opportunity to lead others into the wonderful playground God has provided here in the Rocky Mountains. We strive to do this with professionalism and a servant’s heart, while also having a lot of fun. If you are interested in joining us, please review the following job descriptions and complete an application.

II. Senior Guide.

The senior guide is the primary point of contact and customer service representative for Outdoor Program students and instructors during their stay at Spring Canyon. This critical role provides technical leadership during the weeklong session to students, instructors, and junior staff. Senior guides must be able to operate effectively under difficult emotional and environmental conditions.

A. Duties
1. Leads small groups (5-25) into wilderness/mountain areas.
2. Monitors the safety and well-being of all students, instructors, and guides during the preparation for and during Outdoor Program activities.
3. Lead instructor for wilderness and outdoor activities, classes, and briefings.
4. Works with Outdoor Program Leader to plan and develop established and new trips.
5. Instructs and supervises junior guides and guides in training.

B. Qualifications
1. General

a. Have a personal and growing relationship with Christ.
b. Exemplary leadership skills. Proactive. High sense of duty and willingness to accomplish the mission.
c. Emotionally mature, responsible and willing worker.
d. Great desire to help others reach their potential in Christ as leaders.
e. Motivated by a concern for the growth of all members of the group (including the staff and self).

2. Group Management Skills

a. Able to plan and initiate group dialogue.
b. Capable of balancing directive and non-directive leadership techniques to reach group goals and foster the biblical basis for leadership—act as a servant leader.
c. Demonstrate good judgment and common sense in conducting Outdoor Program activities.

3. Backpacking and wilderness travel skills

a. Navigation (map, compass, GPS), route finding.
b. Follow Leave No Trace guidelines for minimum impact travel.
c. Backcountry cooking.
d. Stove operation, maintenance and care.
e. Emergency shelter construction, all seasons.
f. Knowledge of mountain weather, “reading” of danger signs.
g. Low angle snow travel techniques—step-kicking, glissading, self arrests, route selection.

4. Peak Climbing

a. Route finding experience.
b. Planning, evaluation, and safety factors.
c. Group travel—ascents and descents.
d. Mountain rescue techniques.

5. Rock Climbing

a. Thorough knowledge of safe rock climbing techniques, i.e. protection, anchors, belaying, rappelling, route selection, climbing terms, basic movement on rock.
b. High angle rock rescue techniques.
c. Proficient at setting up a rock climbing experience for a group of ten to fifteen people.

6. Be capable of teaching the skills in 3, 4 and 5 above.

7. First Aid— Have a current Wilderness Advanced First Aid and CPR card or equivalent. Training can be provided in this area for well-qualified applicants.

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III. Guide

A guide, although working under the direction of the senior guide, should be competent in the same areas as the senior guide, but with less experience in all or some of the areas. A guide must be able to take charge in the absence of the leader. Guides provide active leadership while gaining experience working with senior Outdoor Program leadership.

A. Duties
1. Teaches basic wilderness and backcountry skills to Outdoor Program students.
2. Leads Outdoor Program group activities under the supervision of a senior guide. Monitors individual safety and participation.
3. Assists senior guides and Outdoor Program Leader in carrying out the program.

B. Qualifications
1. Have a personal and growing relationship with Christ.
2. General: same as senior guide but with less experience. Willingness to learn all required skills.
3. Familiar with the Rocky Mountain High curriculum, briefings, and analogies.
4. Familiar with the group dynamics unique to the wilderness learning experience
5. Wilderness skills: same as senior guide but with less experience
6. Rock climbing skills
a. Knot tying (bowline, figure-8, water knot, etc)
b. Seat harness tie-in (follow-through figure-8)
c. Sitting and standing hip belay
d. Signals used in climbing
e. Basic movement on rock
f. Rappelling with figure-8
g. Monitoring student participation and safety
7. Be capable of assisting in teaching or teaching skills in 4 and 5 above
8. Have a current Wilderness First Aid and CPR card or equivalent. Training can be provided in this area for well-qualified applicants.

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IV. Guide in Training

The Guide in Training position is a learning role to prepare for increased responsibility in subsequent years. Guides in Training should be highly motivated and demonstrate the potential for advanced leadership and guide responsibilities.

A. Duties
1. Assists senior guides, guides, and the Outdoor Program Leader as needed.
2. Assist in camp vehicle maintenance.
3. Assist in facility maintenance (e.g. lawn maintenance, garbage removal, cleaning bathrooms and other facilities, stock firewood).
4. Keeps a daily log of events and records new insights concerning walk with God and wilderness skills learned.

B. Qualifications
1. Have a personal and growing relationship with Christ.
2. Show demonstrated potential for leadership. Be emotionally mature. Have a responsible attitude and be a willing worker.
3. Enjoy the out-doors and wilderness living.
4. Willingness to learn all outdoor and wilderness activities involved in the Outdoor Program, to include: rock climbing and rappeling, white water rafting, mountain biking, back country travel (camping and peak summit), wilderness first aid.

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V. Logistics Team Member

The Logistics Team manages all lodging, transportation, food and communications operations for the various groups participating in the Outdoor Program. The Logistics Team Member assists the Director of Logistics and the Outdoor Program Leader as necessary in all duties related to logistics operations.

A. Duties
1. Plan and package meals for RMH treks, FTA and Teen Program overnight trips.
2. Assist gear room manager with gear issue and gear room maintenance.
3. Assist kitchen staff with sack lunch preparation / cleanup.
4. Perform radio watch as required. Maintain radio equipment.
5. Assist in coordinating activities with outside vendors (e.g. numbers, equipment requirements, arrival and departure times).
6. Assist in camp vehicle maintenance.
7. Assist in facility maintenance (e.g. lawn maintenance, garbage removal, cleaning bathrooms and other facilities, stock firewood).
8. Assist in group transportation and emergency extractions.
9. Have a detailed knowledge and familiarity with all Outdoor Program equipment/gear.

B. Qualifications
1. Have a personal and growing relationship with Christ.
2. Enjoy working in a high responsibility, low visibility position where attention to detail is a must. This is a real servant’s position.
3. Be emotionally mature. Have a responsible attitude and be a willing worker.
4. Enjoy the out-doors and wilderness living.
5. Willingness to learn all outdoor and wilderness activities involved in the Outdoor Program, to include: rock climbing and rappeling, white water rafting, mountain biking, back country travel (camping and peak summit), wilderness first aid.

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