Position Description
Come join our close-knit community of passionate outdoor educators as a challenge Course Instructor. You will facilitate day programs at our Challenge Course in McLaren Park, San Francisco with Bay Area youth (grades 6-12) and community members. You’ll plan the flow of the day, set up and break down the challenge course, and safely facilitate students through high & low ropes elements, ground games, and team-building activities. We’ll teach you how to deliver programs that instill courage, teamwork, confidence, and self-awareness in our participants. Make a difference in the Bay Area as we get folks outside and build community together!

Compensation & Schedule (Part-Time)

• Starting wage is $23.11/hr with opportunities to promote to lead positions
• This is a part-time, non-exempt, hourly position, typically 2.5-3 days a week (~20 hrs/week)
• Position dates are Jan 27 – November 7, 2025 with opportunities to return for the next year’s season
• Paid Training: 8 hrs/day Mon-Fri, Jan 27 – Feb 7, 2025
• Program Season: Tues-Sat, Feb 11 – Nov 7 2025. Staff meet for a half day on Tuesdays.
• Student programs run Wednesday-Saturday, 8am-4pm.
• There is also an unpaid summer break of programs from June 9-13 & July 28-August 1, 2025.
• Availability of work is dependent on the number of booked programs.

Benefits (Part-Time)

• Paid Time Off – Accrue 1 hour for every 13 hrs worked
• Unpaid Time Off – Employees can accrue up to 80 hours of unpaid time off each year
• 401K (with employer match) after 1-year of employment
• Pro Deals (the opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at discounted rates)
• Free youth development training, professional development funds, and recertification reimbursements
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP), free of charge for staff and family members
• All required training is paid

Location
Most program days take place at the McLaren Park Ropes Course in southeast San Francisco.

Who We Are
At Outward Bound California (OBCA) we use outdoor experiences to teach social-emotional skills like teamwork, leadership, confidence, and compassion. At the Challenge Course, we offer 1-day experiences for students aged 12+, including adults. We serve a variety of participant groups including schools, community organizations, and companies. To learn more about our course elements, check out the video tour.

We are a part of the  Outward Bound USA network with a 60-year history in the US as a leading provider of outdoor education. OBCA is a non-profit and is committed to increasing access for those who have traditionally been excluded from outdoor spaces. We work towards this goal with our 40 community partners and by offering scholarships to more than half of our students.

Equity and Inclusion Statement
OBCA strives to create an equitable and inclusive culture where all staff members feel respected for their identities and lived experiences. We work to build a culture where we are always learning and growing toward a vision for equity and belonging for all staff. We are looking for team members who can actively join us in this process. We are also committed to reflecting the diverse communities with whom we work and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ identifying folks, and women to apply.

Who You Are
Outward Bound California does not expect every applicant to have every skill and qualification listed here. If you have 75% of the following qualifications, we encourage you to apply.

An Educator
Passionate about working with youth, especially teens and middle schoolers
Have a deep understanding and personal commitment to equity and inclusion in the outdoors
Lived experience or experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds including age, racial, ethnic, socioeconomic class and members of the LGBTQ+ community
Comfortable giving and receiving feedback
Adaptable to the different learning needs of students

Physical Requirements
Able to participate in all course activities while maintaining energy, strength, and focus to aid students and instructors
Able to lift and transport 20-50 pounds of gear several times a day
Can be on feet most days – sometimes for up to 8 hours a day
Comfortable working outdoors and climbing to height

Required Current Certifications & Licenses (by Start Date)
Adult/Pediatric First Aid & CPR/AED

Other Requirements (by Start Date)
20 years of age or older
Able to work Tuesdays and nontraditional hours (earlier than 9am)
Willing to authorize a federal & Live Scan background check, MVR check, and provide current TB screen/test results upon hire (cost of all screening paid for or reimbursed by OBCA)

Bonus if you…
Have Saturday availability
Have prior experience in experiential, outdoor, or environmental education programs
Familiar with belaying and spotting low and high ropes course activities
Speak Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese
Have held a valid US or Canadian driver’s license for at least 3 years

Responsibilities

Ropes Course Operation
Facilitate students through a 1-day challenge course program
Fit personal safety equipment
Belay participants and teach/monitor student belayers
Set up and break down of course

Program Design & Delivery
Plan and facilitate programs in conjunction with Outward Bound values and partner’s desired outcomes
Assess students to ensure all activities are appropriate for experience level and social/cultural needs
Role model inclusive behavior and build a positive group culture
Demonstrate cultural responsiveness and an ongoing desire to work with students from diverse backgrounds
Create an emotionally safe environment for students and staff
Consistently give and receive feedback with co-workers and supervisor to support a learning community

Safety & Risk Management
Adhere to all operating procedures, safety policies, and emergency procedures outlined in the staff handbook
Clearly establish limits and boundaries for student behavior and independence
Respond to or manage a student group in emergencies as appropriate
Able to safely and efficiently perform high angle rescue in training and as needed
Practice proper self-care and energy management while working outdoors
Uses good judgment while making decisions regarding safe use of the challenge course
Uphold Outward Bound’s zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect. Protecting our minor students against abuse and neglect is of the highest priority.

Outward Bound California is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. Outward Bound California also promotes respect for all people, and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics.