Wilderness Instructor - Snowshoeing

Overview

OUR 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.

Job Summary

Do you want to make a difference in the world and have fun while doing it? As a BOLD & GOLD Winter Wilderness Instructor - Snowshoeing, you and a co-lead will be responsible for the physical and emotional safety of up to 10 participants while engaging them in activities such as backpacking, rock climbing, paddling, outdoor skills workshops, and snowshoeing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Wilderness Instructors work from a set itinerary, manage the risks of backcountry travel, and facilitate a variety of workshops and activities that help participants develop their own leadership style. This is an Authorized Driver position; read more in the Position Qualifications.

The Winter 2027 season runs early January to mid-March 2027.

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 (C&OL) 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. BOLD & GOLD experiences take place 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, canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing, and skills workshops. 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 YMCA Camping and Outdoor Leadership: Hiring Site.

Pay Range: $135 - $165 / day

What you'll get from working at The Y:

• 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
• Discounts on qualifying YMCA of Greater Seattle childcare and day camp programs

*Some benefits only available to full-time staff

Responsibilities

What you'll be doing as BOLD & GOLD Winter Wilderness Instructor - Snowshoeing:

1. Lead 1- to 2-day wilderness-based snowshoeing, camping, or outdoor skills-based courses with an emphasis on multicultural leadership.
2. Build strong rapport with participants and staff; foster positive group development, create structure, and draw learning from experiential activities.
3. Model cultural humility and celebrate diversity, effectively working with people of different identities, backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
4. Ensure both a physically and emotionally safe and inclusive environment for youth and staff.
5. Transport participants in 14-passenger minibuses to and from program areas.
6. Manage the unique risks of wilderness-based programs.
7. 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 outdoor settings and remote wilderness locations (e.g., national park, national forest, state park land) across Washington State.

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 50 pounds; safely travel over varied terrain (e.g., 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, partners, and participants.

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work
This is a seasonal exempt position, and staff are paid a daily rate. There will be staff training days in early to mid-January 2026. Wilderness Instructors can expect to have 1 - 3 days of work per week, typically on Saturdays and Sundays, with some weeks having more work opportunities. The season starts early January and extends until mid-March.

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 Qualifications.

Code of Conduct for Applicants

All employees and volunteers are responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries, completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements.

Responsible for ensuring staff are properly screened, trained, supervised and held accountable to the organization’s abuse risk management standards.

Qualifications

You are 21 years of age or older and have:

1. Two or more years of experience working with teens in an organized setting, including facilitating activities that address issues facing adolescents.
2. Excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
3. Strong group facilitation, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
4. Knowledge of developmental needs of teens; demonstrated understanding of the needs of teens and the ability to evaluate their needs individually.
5. Experience making the transference of a wilderness experience relevant to the everyday lives of underserved youth.
6. Personal or professional experience in backpacking, rock climbing, paddling, and / or snowshoeing.
   • Be able to hike and / or backpack over a variety of terrain and teach techniques for approaching that type of terrain.
   • Have experience and knowledge of basic backcountry equipment or techniques such as stove use, bear hangs, water purification, and / or shelter craft.
   • Have experience and knowledge of reading maps and using them for navigation.
   • Effectively manage physical risks for yourself and participants including terrain, weather, and wildlife interactions.
7. Current WFA and CPR Certification.*
8. Current Washington State Food Handlers Permit.*

*Required by start date

Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

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 position requires driving.

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 (i.e., no more than two moving violations within the last three years; no significant incidents, such as reckless driving, DUI / DWI, 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.

YGS Driving Record Standards

Within the last three (3) years: No more than two (2) vehicle related suspension(s) and/or reinstatement(s). No more than two (2) moving violations and/or accidents.  Moving violations include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Speeding
• Improper Lane Change  
• Failure to Yield in Right-of-Way  
• Failure to Obey Traffic Signal  
• Failure to obey Traffic Sign

Within the last five (5) years: No Major Violations which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, BUI (Boating), Administrative Per Se, or Refusing to Test
• Driving with an open container of alcohol
• Reckless Driving
• Hit and Run – property damage only (Incidents resulting in injury fall under Permanent Disqualification)
• Racing
• Driving with a suspended/revoked license/insurance
• Speeding over 20 mph
• Fleeing and/or eluding police
• Any other felony driving conviction(s)

Driving records that result in permanent disqualification from driving duties: 

• More than 3 DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, BUI, Administrative Per Se, or Refusing to Test for entirety of driving history.  
• More than 3 Driving with a suspended/revoked license  
• Hit and Run resulting in bodily injury or death
• Manslaughter/felony death by motor vehicle 

Preferred Education and Experience

• Current WFR or W-EMT Certification.
• 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.

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

OUR 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.

We are a drug & alcohol-free workplace; all job offers are contingent on the results of a background check. We participate in the Federal E-Verify system.

If you need assistance of any kind with the application process, reach out to [email protected].