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Widjiwagan Employment

Summer Positions 

Wilderness Trail Counselor

Download Application:

The application deadline is January 15.  In order to be contacted for an interview, you need to have completed and turned in the following forms:

If you would like more information about Widjiwagan and our available positions, download the staff application booklet.

General Description:

Widjiwagan Wilderness Trail Counselors are involved in all aspects of the program. Their primary responsibility is to lead summer campers on wilderness canoe and/or backpack trips ranging in length from five to 14 nights (for first year staff). Participation in mealtime activities, clean up, light maintenance, staff meetings and co-instruction are required. Other duties may also be assigned. Periodic involvement as a support staff member will be scheduled. Mountain hiking photo

Qualifications:

  • Experience in outdoor tripping and skills in wilderness canoeing and/or backpacking.
  • Experience working with youth, preferably in a wilderness tripping setting and/or in a leadership role.
  • Current certification in Lifeguarding, CPR and Wilderness First Responder or the ability to complete before the summer starts.
  • Outdoor skills appropriate to the season, as well as experience and confidence leading groups in the outdoors.

Support Staff Positions

  • Trail Building Coordinator
  • Office Coordinator
  • Trail Building Associate (2)
  • Office Staff (2)
  • Cook (1-2)
  • Maintenance Assistant (1-2)

General Description:

Widjiwagan support staff are the "grease" of the in-camp program machinery. As noted above, there are a variety of support staff positions. Individuals need exposure to the general skills associated with their role, but should expect a variety of responsibilities, each associated with in-camp life. Permanent housing is provided for on-site staff throughout the summer. Please contact the Widji Administrative Office for a more detailed description of these positions.

Qualifications:

  • Experience with youth in some variety of teaching or supervisory role.
  • Current certification in First Aid and CPR for some positions.
  • Skills in the appropriate area for the given Support Staff role (i.e., the office assistant should have some computer experience).
  • Desire to participate in a youth-focused program as one of many in a "supporting cast."

Contact:

Tom O’Rourke, Summer Program Director
phone: 651-238-4027
email: tom.orourke@ymcastpaul.org

 

Environmental Education

Instructor Naturalist

General Description:

Instructor Naturalists foster learning and development through a varied and exciting Environmental Education curriculum. Serving primarily youth in a vast outdoor classroom, staff have the opportunity to work with small groups and exercise their own creative style in developing a range of lesson plans. Responsibilities might include leading a variety of instructional hikes focusing on local ecology and navigation, leading team building exercises, giving larger group presentations, chaperoning a student cabin at night, and assisting with the cleaning and upkeep of the facility.

Qualifications:

  • Involvement in the leadership and teaching of youth.
  • Experience or training in the natural sciences and/or environmental education.
  • Experience teaching in an outdoor setting.
  • Current certification in CPR and First Aid and preferably Lifeguarding as well.

Intern Naturalist

General Description:

The intern's role is primarily that of a learner. The program allows interns to develop their own teaching style through observation and leading activities under the supervision of an Instructor Naturalist. Interns follow a teaching progression which will allow them to have more and more teaching responsibilities every week.

Qualifications:

  • A desire to work with children.
  • A desire to develop teaching skills and work in the outdoor environment.

Benefits for all positions are as follows:

  • Room and board throughout the programming season.
  • Workers compensation in the event of a work-related injury.
  • Ten to 14 days of expert staff training in leadership, teaching and outdoor skills, as well as wilderness medicine.

Wages for new staff:

  • Environmental Education Instructors: $600-$700 per month
  • Intern Naturalists: Stipend and room and board

Contact:

Karen Pick, Fall/Winter/Spring Program Director
phone: 218-365-2117
email: karen.pick@ymcastpaul.org



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651-645-6605 • Fax 651-646-5521

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