First Light Wilderness Therapy

UPDATES: Hiring for 2022!

Hiring:

First Light is currently seeking applicants for Full Time, Part-time and Seasonal Wilderness Field Instructors at our Dahlonega, GA. Our team ensures a safe and therapeutic milieu in a wilderness context for our groups of 12–17-year-old struggling male and female teens. Wilderness Instructors are responsible for co-leading groups of up to ten students on backpacking, canoeing, and other outdoor expeditions and will work an 8-day on/6-day off schedule in the Northern Georgia wilderness. Instructors are in charge of the day-to-day facilitation of programming to include supervision and safety, curriculum facilitation, teaching wilderness skills, risk management and working hand in hand with First Light Therapists.

Requirements:

• Wilderness Instructor must be at least 21 years old and a BS/BA degree in related field with a minimum of 1 year experience working in the adventure or outdoor field with at-risk youth, or comparable experience (preferred) or

• Must be 21 years old with a High School Diploma or GED and a minimum of 3 years’ experience working in the adventure or outdoor field with at-risk youth, or comparable experience.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Be willing to work 8 days on and 6 days off in the wilderness with teens.

• Must possess and maintain current First Aid and CPR certification (WFR preferred).

• Ability to lift and carry 50+ pounds for extended durations.

• Must be able to pass a Background Criminal Investigation.

• Must hold a valid Driver's License with clean driving record.

• Must pass a post-employment offer medical physical.

Schedule options:

Full Time: Tuesday to Tuesday every other week (two shifts per month)

Part-Time (Weekly): Tuesday to Friday or Friday to Tuesday

Part-Time (Monthly): Tuesday to Tuesday one week (one shift per month)

We offer a $1000 Sign-on bonus, with $500 disbursements at hiring and at the 6th month. We offer retention bonuses of $500 every 6 months of employment. We also offer a $1000 referral bonus with two installments of $500 across a 6-month period.

Salary Range w/bonuses:

$41K-$47K

The Field Director is responsible for ensuring a safe and therapeutic milieu for our groups of 12-17-year-old struggling teens. The Field Director is responsible for collaborating with the Program Director on all matters concerning client and field operations and programming. This includes and is not limited to planning group itineraries, assisting in the management of Field Instructors' schedules, professional development, crisis response intervention and prevention, policy implementation, and direct care of clients. The Field Director is a core member of the First Light Wilderness leadership team. The mission of the Field Director is to ensure the safety in the field and that all of NVW policies and procedures are being followed. This position will be expected to manage the day to day maintenance of the field while in the field and office.

It is the responsibility of the Field Director to create a structured training and support system for the Wilderness Field Instructors as well supporting the adventure programming of the youth therapeutic program. The Field Director will assist in the field as needed to meet the needs of the youth in the program.

There is a 90-day training and assessment period. The training period provides opportunity for the Field Director candidate to learn our intensive clinical modality through experiential training and acquire a deep understanding of NVW policy and procedures. During this assessment phase the applicant is on a rotating and variable shift with direct care responsibilities.

Applicant must:

• Be 21 years of age and possess a BS/BA degree in related field

• Have two years of management experience in the adventure or outdoor field with at-risk youth, or comparable experience.

• Have excellent leadership, communication and problem-solving skills

• Be able to life and carry 50+ lbs for an extended duration over uneven terrain.

Salary: $50,000

The Logistics Manager will be responsible for overseeing the management, organization maintenance and distribution of all program equipment, clothing, vehicles, facilities and vendor relations. The Logistics Manager ensures that operations are managed consistently to maintain safe, smooth and efficient conditions for clients and employees.

Job Requirements:

• First Aid/CPR certifications

• Wilderness First Responder Certification within 6 months of employment.

• Clean driving record and reliable transportation.

• Must be 21 years of age

• Must be on call in rotation to be able to respond to the needs of the 24/7 operation.

• Transport gear and student to and from the field area

• Train staff in Driver safety and maintain records of completion.

• Maintain adequate supply of field necessities.

Job Criteria:

• Start Date: 4/1/22

• Position Type: Full-Time Permanent

• Years of Experience Required: 3

• Education Required: High School

• Overnight Travel: Less Than 25%

• Vacation Time: 2 weeks / year

Additional Information About First Light Wilderness Therapy

At First Light Wilderness Therapy, our goal for every student is to achieve meaningful change by creating an environment of adventure where joy is re-discovered and nurtured, where adventure leads to self-discovery, and where relationships heal and grow. Our program is designed to support the building of a foundation for healthy living that is sustainable. Set in the serenity of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Georgia, our field area is nestled in the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forest and is sprinkled with miles of clear-running streams and rivers, making it an ideal setting for our evidence-based outdoor behavioral healthcare.