Group Instructor Positions
January 29th, 2008 by AmyAn outstanding opportunity for dynamic instructors to lead wilderness expeditions and to inspire environmental stewardship, group responsibility, fun, and confidence in young adults. Each instructor has a specific job within the staff team, such as the naturalist, cultural historian, backcountry specialist, cook, or guitar player.
OVERVIEW
The Cottonwood Gulch Foundation is looking for dynamic individuals to lead, instruct, and support its summer wilderness courses in the Southwest. Expeditions explore the mountains, canyons, and high deserts of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado on camping, backpacking, and canoe trips. Each group also stays at our 540-acre nature preserve and permanent base camp in the Zuni Mountains of New Mexico. Program centers on adventure, personal growth, fun, and hands-on learning in disciplines such as ecology, archaeology, and traditional Native American art.
OUR MISSION
Since 1926, The Cottonwood Gulch Foundation has sponsored educational wilderness expeditions and outdoor programs in the American Southwest that promote personal growth, scientific, historic, and cultural discovery as well as a knowledgeable environmental ethic among all those who participate. The Cottonwood Gulch Foundation is an educational non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in the state of New Mexico.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Staff members are full-time instructors, mentors, and guides for expedition members, ages 10-19, on their two- to five-week expeditions. Group instructors lead hikes and camping trips and also take on specific duties according to their role in the group (to be determined with Director). Each staff team, with a designated senior group leader, has considerable leeway to tailor the activities, itineraries, and projects in the field to the needs, interests, and talents of their group. Risk assessment, planning backpacks, mentoring all students, and leading custom hands-on projects are shared jobs for the entire staff. Staff are expected to help care for the emotional and physical health and safety of all individual group members as well as uphold the Foundation’s mission and ‘share-and-share-alike’ philosophy to communal living.
QUALIFICATIONS
Successful applicants will have experience working with students, either in or outside of the classroom, and a strong record of backcountry decision-making. Applicants should show significant passion for an area of instruction within the general outlines of the expedition and be ready to lead projects in that area. All jobs require a driver’s license and record in good standing. Priority given to those ages 21-and-over, those certified as WFR or WEMT, and to creative and energetic educators with a profound curiosity for their surroundings.
BENEFITS
All staff receive a stipend for the summer (typically $2,000-3,000), transportation to and from New Mexico, full room and board, laundry facilities, health care coverage, a regular rotation of time off, an exceptionally fun working environment, and stars to sleep under every night. Become part of this long-standing community of educators, where 70% of our instructors return each summer.
HOW TO APPLY
Download an application at www.cottonwoodgulch.org/jobs or email a cover letter and resume to the Executive Director at mike@cottonwoodgulch.org. All positions open until filled with priority given to early applicants.