Environmental Traveling Companions

UPDATES: Hiring!

Hiring:

To Apply: Send resume and cover letter to ylp@etctrips.org detailing your experience, qualifications, and which course you're interested in.

Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC) is a volunteer-based nonprofit providing the joy and challenge of  outdoor adventures to people with all abilities and from all backgrounds since 1972. We inspire self confidence, connection to nature, and community-based environmental stewardship through accessible sea  kayaking, rafting, and multi-week expeditions for youth from historically marginalized backgrounds.  

The Youth LEAD (Leadership, Environment, Adventure, and Diversity) Program (YLP) is one of ETC’s three main programs. We provide life-changing outdoor experiences for youth from diverse cultural and economic  backgrounds, focusing on technical outdoor skills, environmental education, socio-emotional growth, and  leadership development. Our 14-to-21-day courses incorporate sea kayaking, rafting, and backpacking.  Students learn about themselves, their community of peers, natural history, and environmental science through  lessons, storytelling, community-building, and adventure in the wilderness.  

2023 Course Dates & Details: 

Note: All Field Instructors are required to attend ETC’s YLP 5-day Instructor Training in the San  Francisco Bay Area (dates below). Before each Course, Field Instructors are required to attend 3-4  preparation days in San Francisco, working alongside co-instructors and ETC staff to organize gear, meals,  and lessons. After the Course, Field Instructors are required to attend one post debrief day in San Francisco. 

* “Young womxn” refers to gender expansive youth (cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, gender queer youth and any young women-identified youth)

Positions: Each YLP Course has a team of one Lead Instructor, one Instructor, and one YLP Fellow Field  Intern. This core Instructor Team is supported by 3-6 ETC Volunteers during the sea kayak and rafting portions  of each Course (depending on the activities of the Course).  

▪ The Lead Instructor position is for individuals with exceptional technical and interpersonal skills, advanced medical wilderness certification, and previous experience with ETC. Most Lead Instructors have worked a minimum of one Youth LEAD course or have extensive experience with another ETC program. 

▪ The Instructor position is for individuals with experience and competence in the outdoor education and/or wilderness guiding fields. 

▪ The YLP Fellow Field Interns are youth who have participated in a YLP summer course and the YLP Fellowship. They are growing towards becoming amazing future Instructors!

Compensation: 

• $125/day starting wage for Instructors (for course days and prep/post days) 

• $140/day starting wage for Lead Instructors (for course days and prep/post days)

• All receive $400 for participating in the 5-day Instructor Training 

• Early signing bonus: $100 per course if contract signed before February 16th, 2023

• Optional: YLP Instructors are invited and encouraged to join ETC’s Inclusion Training (May 20-21, 2023) and YLP Instructor River Trip in August 2023 (exact dates TBD) 

Responsibilities:  

• Attend a mandatory, paid field staff training from June 5th - June 9th in the SF Bay Area, including an overnight kayak camping component from June 7th - 9th. 

• Work collaboratively and communicate compassionately with the core Instructor Team and 3-6 ETC Volunteer Sea Kayak/River Guides to safely instruct 10-12 high school students on the Course.

• Engage students in meaningful, honest, safe community as a starting point for genuine learning in the outdoors. Hold space for their individual strengths and areas for growth. 

• Learn ETC environmental science and leadership lessons during field staff training and deliver engaging lessons and activities in the field. 

• Prepare course components including food packing, gear packing, lesson organization, and daily flow (with support from ETC office staff). 

• Demonstrate and model excellence in personal organization while living and traveling in campgrounds and backcountry settings for 14-21 days. 

• Provide positive and encouraging support and guidance throughout all course activities.

• Instruct technical and interpersonal skills to encourage participant leadership growth and personal development. 

• Safely manage and supervise all activities according to ETC operating policies, protocols, and procedures. 

• Responsibly handle and care for all gear and equipment. 

• Supervise and mentor high school aged YLP Fellow Field Intern who is a crucial member of the instructor team and part of ETC’s Youth LEAD Fellowship Program. 

• Serve as a positive, authentic role model for participants, Assistant Instructors, and co-workers.

• Participate actively in post-course evaluations.

Qualifications: 

• Age requirement: 20+ 

• Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Certification or higher before course begins; Wilderness First Responder certification highly preferred (some scholarships available) 

• Hiring is dependent on criminal background check and DMV driver check 

○ Must have clean driving record 

○ Must have 2+ years licensed driving experience 

○ Ability to safely drive youth in a large SUV for up to 6 hours 

• Previous experience as a leader in a backcountry setting during extended expeditions

• Ability to be present, responsive, and focused with student participants for 14-21 consecutive days

• Previous experience leading equity, diversity, and inclusion activities and/or facilitating programs with racially and socioeconomically diverse groups. Sensitivity to the needs of folks from these groups, especially in the outdoors (a historically white-dominated context), is crucial to this role

• If identified with a socially dominant group (white, wealthy, heterosexual, cis gender, etc): is committed to examining personal power and privilege and self-education about power dynamics

• Ability to communicate positively, value feedback, and excel in a strong team-oriented environment

• Experience with leading outdoor activities and lessons while fostering environmental curiosity, excitement, and stewardship 

• Exemplifies patience and adaptability in dynamic outdoor situations, especially when challenges arise

• Open to different leadership styles and collaboration; celebrates individual uniqueness with goal of creating inclusive, safe spaces 

Additional Preferred Experience:  

• Experience as a sea kayak, backpack, and/or raft guide preferred 

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) 

• Class B Commercial Driver’s License 

• Comfort navigating both on and off trail in alpine environments, particularly in the Sierra Nevadas 

Transportation and Lodging: Instructors must provide their own lodging and transportation to/from Fort  Mason Center in San Francisco on June 5 & 6th for Instructor Training, as well as the 3-4 preparation  days before course and one post debrief day after course. While on course, all meals and camping  accommodations are provided.  

Application Deadline: Open until filled  

We strongly encourage people of color and individuals identifying as LGBTQI to apply for  this position.  

Additional Information About Environmental Traveling Companions

Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC) is a volunteer-based nonprofit providing the joy and challenge of outdoor adventures to people with all abilities and from all backgrounds since 1972. We inspire self-confidence, connection to nature, and community-based environmental stewardship through accessible sea kayaking, rafting, and multi-week expeditions for youth from historically marginalized backgrounds. 

The Youth LEAD (Leadership, Environment, Adventure, and Diversity) Program (YLP) is one of ETC’s three main programs. We provide life-changing outdoor experiences for youth from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds, focusing on technical outdoor skills, environmental education, socio-emotional growth, and leadership development. Our 14-to-21-day courses incorporate sea kayaking, rafting, and backpacking. Students learn about themselves, their community of peers, natural history, and environmental science through lessons, storytelling, community-building, and adventure in the wilderness.