Open Field Instructor - Positions Application
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AS A TRIP LEADER
The Road Less Traveled operate's teen summer travel programs of varying lengths. Dates of employment can range anywhere from June 1 to the end of July or middle of August, depending on your trip assignment. You may lead one, two or possibly three sessions of a program over the course of a summer. We will make every effort to employ you for as long as you wish, but we request flexibility with trip assignments and dates, keeping in mind the students experience is a direct result of its leadership. Our commitment is to making the strongest leader teams possible. If you are a first year staff with RLT, it may be mid to late spring or later before final placement is determined.
Field Instructor & CO-Instructor
The Road Less Traveled offers three field staff positions: Instructor, Co-Instructor and Intern (see below). Co-Instructors and Interns work in conjunction with the trip leader in a variety of supportive roles. Most first year staff are Co-Instructor. If, however, you feel you have the qualifications and would like to apply specifically for our trip Instructor position, please indicate that on your application.
Leader Training
The Road Less Traveled's comprehensive leadership training session is held each year in mid-June on 60 acres of land in Southwest Michigan. Our carefully chosen leaders come together for an unparalleled intensive 10 day state of the art introduction to our philosophy, policies, procedures and protocols.
Training starts with an online pre-training module with sessions covering American Camping Association Standards.
Onsite training topics include RLT's vision of service in the world, cultural considerations, health, safety, sanitation, food management, team building skills, stages of group development, communication, leadership styles, gender considerations, country-specific health topics, transportation guidelines, vehicle safety, and medical protocols.
Prior to embarking on their programs, each leader team is fully briefed on detailed trip logistics, country specific emergency procedures, satellite phone usage, evacuation procedures.
Directors Jim and Donna Stein personally lead training along with a core group of past leaders with significant experience that include Callie and Emma Stein, Lucas Boyd, Michael Zheng, Max Gibson, and Caroline Lowe. Their goal is to ensure each leader is fully prepared to lead utilizing the solid foundation that has been created over the past three decades to provide the exceptional leadership for which we are known.
Our leader training has been described as the most comprehensive, professional, detailed, progressive, supportive training leaders have ever attended.
See Safety and Accreditation for more information.
The Benefits
Your salary with The Road Less Traveled includes all food, lodging and transportation from the beginning through close of your trip. We also offer pro-deals on outdoor equipment from a variety of well-known manufacturers. Salaries are based on qualifications and experience, and our goal is to hire as many returning staff as possible.
The Hiring Timeline
Our hiring season generally runs from September until early May. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Job Qualifications
The following are characteristics/qualifications that each staff person is expected to match regardless of position:
- Education: Minimum of Bachelor's degree or in the process of completing a degree
- Maturity: Must be 21 years of age by June 15th and possess mature judgment necessary for the ongoing demands and safety requirements of the program
- Legal right to work in the United States. Please note: We are not able to assist obtaining work Visas
Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness EMT: Wilderness First Responder is an 80-hour nationally recognized curriculum that includes standards for urban and extended care situations. This course is offered all over the U.S. by a number of companies. SOLO, WMI, WMA, and Aerie are all great companies that offer this course. You must have at minimum a Wilderness First Responder certification by the beginning of staff training.
PLEASE NOTE: Though curriculum taught from the above companies is very similar, there are differences in vocabulary at times. The Road Less Traveled has adopted NOLS WMI terminology. It will be used at Staff Training for review of skills. If you do not take your course with NOLS WMI, we expect you to compare and familiarize yourself with this specific terminology here. In particular, we have found the AVPU Scale vs. A+O (1-4) causes confusion for those outside of WMI NOLS.
- Lifeguard training or Swiftwater rescue: These are preferred certifications but not mandatory.
- Current unrestricted drivers license: Includes no major convictions including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving, hit and run, homicide or assault with a motor vehicle, drag racing, operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent, license suspended or revoked within the previous seven year period for accidents and/or moving violations. Driving record should reflect no more than three moving violations and/or chargeable accidents during the previous seven years. Ability and/or experience in driving a 15-passenger van with an 8-foot utility trailer is mandatory for domestic expeditions.
- Experience: Previous experience working with and or teaching young people age ranging in age between 12-19 is mandatory. Knowledge of and experience in group dynamics, teaching or facilitating groups, supervision of meal planning, food preparation and cooking, and managing logistics. Ability to teach program specific skills, environmental awareness, and related scientific, cultural, and historical knowledge pertaining to the regions through which you will travel and their relationship to each other.
- Confidence: Self-assurance is required to live and relate with adolescents and other leaders in close-knit situations.
- Personality/Motivation: Must be self-motivated and act as a role model, possessing personality characteristics that will accelerate and maintain a healthy rapport with participants and other staff.
- Flexibility/Patience/Organization: Must have the patience to respond to stress, crisis, change, and non-glamorous tasks in positive and productive ways at all times. Must have the ability to organize and assure a smooth flow of activities.
EXPEDITION INTERNSHIPS (SUMMER)
We also employ a small number of expedition interns during the summer. Interns are graduates of our courses and are outstanding individuals with an exceptional level of leadership skill and an innate understanding of our philosophy and mission. They truly represent the RLT experience. Interns have completed their first year of college and will act as a third staff member on programs and must be certified in Wilderness First Responder (WFR) before the start of the summer.
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED LLC® is An Equal Opportunity Employer
