BOLD & GOLD Course Director - YMCA of Greater Seattle

We have a strong commitment to equity
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.

Compensation: $185.00/day

Tell me about this job!
As a Course Director, you will be responsible for supervising one- and two-week wilderness-based expeditions. This includes managing logistics, mentoring staff, and ensuring the safe and successful delivery of these programs. Course Directors work with instructors to plan curriculum for expeditions, provide on-call support to groups in the field, support evacuations, communicate with families, and ensure the smooth day-to-day operations of the BOLD & GOLD summer program. 

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 throughfrontcountry and backcountry trips ranging in length from 5 to 15 days. BOLD & GOLD experiences takeplace 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, art, and team building. 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.  

Find out more at www.ymcaleadership.org. 

What you'll get from working at BOLD & GOLD 

• Individual membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle 
• 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
• Staff may be eligible for a stay bonus for completing their agreement 

What you'll be doing

1. Direct all aspects of wilderness courses including logistics, staff supervision, participants, risk management situations, and a positive group culture. 
2. Oversee the safe delivery of wilderness courses- with an emphasis on multicultural leadership, ranging in length from 5 to 15 days. 
3. Work within a leadership team to ensure all staff and participants have the equipment, tools and knowledge needed to be successful. 
4. Build strong rapport with participants, staff, and families, foster positive group development, create structure, and draw learning from experiential activities. 
5. Train and mentor staff in how to: 
6. Build emotionally and physically safe environments with groups of middle and high school participants. 
7. Help participantsbuild emotional intelligence and multicultural leadership skills through wilderness experience. 
8. Model cultural humility and celebrate diversity, effectively working with people of different identities, backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. 
9. Ensure both a physically and an emotionally safe and inclusive environment for youth and staff. 
10. Other duties as assigned. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

BOLD & GOLD is based out of the Cascade People’s Center (CPC), located in Seattle, WA. BOLD & GOLD courses begin and end at the CPC. BOLD & GOLD programming takes place in remote wilderness locations (national park, national forest, state park land) across Washington State. The Course Director role is primarily office based,aside from participation in staff training, driving, and other field-based support. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

Employees must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 50lbs, safely travel over varied terrain (trails, tree roots, boulder/rock fields, shoreline, mud, snow, ice) up to 15 miles per day, be comfortable spending multiple days and/or weeks in a wilderness setting, communicate both verbally and non-verbally with other staff, volunteers, and participants. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 
POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK 
This is a seasonal exempt position and staff are paid a daily rate. Course Directors will work approximately 40-50 hours per week on a Thursday-Monday schedule. Approximate schedule will be from May 21st – September 6th. This includes Leadership Team training and All Staff Training which occurs June 9th-June 18th.This position is part of the Outdoor Leadership risk management support system and will require on-call shifts as duties demand.  

TRAVEL 

BOLD & GOLD employees must be able to commute to the Cascade People’s Center, 309 Pontius Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109. Parking is not available onsite, but there is paid public parking located around the building. The area is serviced by several public bus routes. All travel required for work will be done in YMCA vehicles.This is an Authorized Driver position, read more in the Position Requirements.

Code of Conduct for Applicants

What we're looking for in an applicant

1. Experience making the transference of a wilderness experience relevant to the everyday lives of youth. 
2. Excellent interpersonal communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships with youth and adults from a variety of backgrounds. 
3. Ability to role model compassionate and confident leadership. 
4. High level of self-awareness and can work in a collaborative setting. 
5. Commitment to working with diverse groups of youth and staff. 
6. Possesses strong organizational skills, flexibility, and aproblem-solving mentality. 
7. Ability to mentor staff in technical backcountry skills, including backpacking, rock climbing, paddling, and mountaineering. 
8. Ability to mentor staff in interpersonal skills, including clear consistent communication, building positive group culture, and supporting participants through challenges such as homesickness, conflict, etc.  
9. Strong written and verbal communication skills.  
10. Experience with Microsoft Office suit (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook). 
11. Other applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position will be considered. 
12. Current WFR or W-EMT, and CPR Certification* 
13. Current Washington State Food Handlers Permit* 

This position requires driving: 

BOLD & GOLD uses 14-passenger mini-buses to transport passengers and equipment to trailheads and campsites. This includes driving on interstates, city streets, and rural roads.  

This safety-sensitive role requires transporting clients as “authorized drivers” for the Y. Potential offers will be contingent upon meeting the following conditions: Being 21+, having a valid driver's license for at least three years and possessing a driving record that meets Y standards (no more than two moving violations within the last three years, no significant incidents such as reckless driving, DUI/DWI, no tickets 20+ miles above the speed limit etc. within the last 5 years). You must also pass a drug screen that will test for impairing substances, including marijuana. 

*Required by start date 

Preferred Education/Experience

• Prefer knowledge of and previous experience with diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.). Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.  
• Experience with anti-racism practices. 

Our Mission

Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.

YMCA of Greater Seattle's Core Values

• Respect
• Responsibility
• Honesty
• Caring
• Passion for Excellence

YGS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law.

All job offers are contingent on the results of a background check. We participate in the Federal E-Verify system.