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High School Program Instructor

City Kids Wilderness Project
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JET Staff Position Description: 

The JET Staff works with a small team of co-workers as a part of a summer-adventure based program for youth. City Kids Wilderness Project’s mission is to inspire confidence and leadership in children and teens from Washington, D.C. We provide a multi-year experiential curriculum of outdoor adventures, backcountry trips, personal growth, and JET opportunities during three summer sessions. Base camp is our beautiful ranch, Broken Arrow Ranch, in Hoback Junction just south of Jackson Hole. The City Kids JET program provides residential structured internship and job shadow experiences for youth who have completed the camper phase of the City Kids Program as well as offering continued outdoor experiences. 

Position Responsibilities

The JET Staff is the logistical coordinator, primary mentor, daily supervisor for all JETs (High Schoolers) in the Career Exploration & Outdoor Session Programs.  

The responsibilities of a JET Staff are multifaceted and include all of the following:


 

Youth Mentoring- Develop a positive, authentic and proactive relationship with participants, be a role model, facilitate team and personal growth.  

  • Demonstrate warmth, caring and respect for youth through intentional interactions
  • Provide a listening ear, guidance, individual attention and support to youth
  • Show consistency in structure, boundaries, behavior and communication to build trust with youth
  • Model and support JETs in following City Kids honor code and JET  behavioral expectations
  • Establish group norms to facilitate supportive community and group dynamics for youth.
  • Create opportunities for youth to make choices and have meaningful responsibility.
  • Create an environment that helps each youth know, accept, and take pride in oneself and develop a sense of independence. 

 

Facilitate Job Shadow & Internships- Manage the coordination and logistics for JETs attending job shadows and internships off-site.

  • Provide transportation to and from internship sites; this position requires a driver’s license and notable time driving on internship days.
  •  Maintain regular contact with each intern’s supervisor, requesting and responding to evaluation/feedback on each intern’s performance.
  • Debrief internships daily with JETs, provide guidance and reflection on making the most of their experiences.  


 

Residential Supervision-  This is a full-time/ residential position requiring staff  to live on-site with 8-10 JETs in a shared house. Responsible for the daily care, health and safety of youth.

  • Provide high quality auditory and/or visual supervision of JETs when on duty
  • Wake up JETs daily, prepare and pack for the day's activities, ensure JETs have the correct clothing, gear, water, and food for the day.  
  • Lead daily house chores
  • Plan, cook, and supervise meals.  Some meals provided by camp kitchen, other meals prepared directly by JETs and staff.  
  • Lead daily reflection activities at the end of the day
  • Check-in daily with each JETr; reflect on the day, discuss challenges and successes, set goals for tomorrow.
  • Supervise down-time.
  • Ensure youth are eating well, staying hydrated, and caring for personal hygiene
  • Administer and record medications as required or as needed
  • Establish house living guidelines for each session.
  • Provide supervision for any JET during program transitions or transitional JETs  on their way to other programs off-site.


 

Professional Development & Life Skills Workshops & Activities

  • Lead workshops designed to support JETs in envisioning and creating goals/plans for their post-high school life.
  • Lead workshops on basic workforce readiness skills and general life skills
  • Lead daily activities include team-building games and activities, swimming, arts, etc
  • Lead group meetings, facilitate debriefs and group conversations


 

Trip Leader- Responsible for planning and leading outdoor adventures with JETs.

  • Co-lead outdoor adventure day trips include off-site day adventures including hiking trips, canoeing, white water rafting (guided), community service trips, visits to special events or to town.  
  • Co-lead 1 or 2 backcountry trips ranging from 2 to 6 days
    • Managing the emotional and physically safety of JETs
    • Manage the basic needs of JETs including;  food, hydration, shelter, medical needs, appropriate dress and layering
    • Manage and instruct  JETs on basic risk management in the backcountry including self-care, kitchen safety, wildlife, weather, and activity related risks.
    • Navigate on-trail terrain using maps
    • Teach basic canoe and paddle strokes 
    • Manage risks of paddling on open-water in alpine lakes

 

In addition to the High School Program Instructor and Residential Support’s stated responsibilities, everyone at camp is an integral part of the close-knit City Kids community and shares responsibility for day-to-day tasks as needed for the success of the entire program.  


 

Training & Required Certifications:

Contract includes a required paid 10-day City Kids staff training and 2 days of paid  pre-arrival training.   Staff are responsible for engaging with a growth mindset towards their own learning.  

Required Certifications 

  • Current (by start date of contract) CPR, Wilderness First Aid or higher certification. Wilderness First Responder and lifeguard strongly preferred. 
  • Driver’s license required
    • Valid, clean driving record and 2+ years of driving experience.  

Position Qualifications:

JET Staff  are entry level positions to the organization.  We are looking for motivated, hard-working individuals with a passion for our work.  Below are categories of experiences and qualifications we are looking for. 

 

         Youth Development Experience

  • Experience working with children in outdoor, camp or other residential settings, trip leading preferred.
  • Competence in teaching, counseling, and guiding youth in a variety of settings
  • Ability to provide appropriate structure, boundaries, perspective and guidance in the process of program delivery.
  • Experience developing and leading training workshops; workforce development & college preparation
  • Experience interacting with students one-on-one in a mentorship role

 

Outdoor & Trip Leading Experience

  • General to advanced knowledge and ability in several or all of the following activities: canoeing, horseback riding, swimming, backpacking, kayaking, rock climbing, outdoor education, group dynamics, experiential education, games & initiatives, orienteering, and outdoor living.
  • Knowledge of environmentally acceptable practices for backcountry living.
  • The ability to anticipate and manage potential hazards in wilderness environments, both physical and emotional.
  • Judgment and the ability to manage a group effectively in the outdoors under stressful conditions.
  • Ability to hike for up to 15 miles with an up to 40 lb backpack in strenuous terrain.
  • Ability to paddle up to 10 miles per day in a loaded canoe. 
  • Ability to maintain ample energy, strength, and focus to lead and assist youth in a wilderness environment.   

 

Community Values

  • Cultural competency, the ability to work in diverse communities and a commitment to social justice, equity & inclusion, and anti-racism. Learn more about City Kids DEI Statement of Beliefs.  
  • An understanding and commitment to the goals, values,  and philosophy of City Kids, including our organizational core values of Joy, Connection, Preparation, Effort and Evolution. Learn more about City Kids Core Values. 
  • Patience, initiative, enthusiasm, proactive communication style, flexibility and energy are a must.
  • The ability to relate well to others and to work effectively with a variety of people.