Description
Expedition Instructor Twin Cities Center – Canoe

Field Staff · St. Paul, MN

Why Voyageur Outward Bound School, Twin Cities Center?

Adventure, community, and impact await you as an Instructor with Voyageur Outward Bound School! Imagine spending your days leading middle and high school students from all over the country on epic week-long canoeing expeditions, where they’ll push beyond their limits, discover their inner strength, and grow into leaders. You’ll teach them vital life skills like resilience, problem-solving, and teamwork, all while immersing yourself in the awe-inspiring wilderness of Minnesota and Wisconsin!

When you’re not out on the trail or paddling down the river, you’ll live in a VOBS housing, in the heart of the Twin Cities, with an incredible community of fellow adventurers. It’s the perfect blend of wilderness exploration and city living! With supportive teammates by your side, you’ll have the chance to make lifelong connections, share stories, and grow both personally and professionally.

This is more than a job; it’s a transformative experience for you and the students you lead. If you’re passionate about the outdoors, ready to create unforgettable moments, and eager to make a lasting impact, we want you on our team!

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is for a multi-day, expedition Instructor. Six to eight day canoeing expeditions are run out of the Twin Cities Center. Programming focuses on self-discovery, problem solving, team development, collaboration, and communication in small group settings. This is a seasonal position that begins mid May and typically ends in August. Candidates are required to attend a 2-3 week pre-employment training before the season begins that includes wilderness travel training, technical skills training, Outward Bound curriculum and educational philosophy.

On-the- job training continues when the Instructor (I) begins working in the field under the supervision of a Course Director and Lead Instructor. Working as part of an instructional team, Instructors are expected to supervise, teach and facilitate students in the field and are expected to support and follow VOBS safety policies and procedures meant to mitigate the risks inherent to participating in a wilderness or nature based expedition.

VOBS serves a wide range of student populations. The majority of our students are youth and young adults between the ages of 14 and 25. The Twin Cities base works primarily with community partners and students from marginalized communities.

Requirements
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Delivery & Implementation

Collaborate with VOBS staff to design and implement a nature based, experiential expedition that serves students and is in line with Outward Bound mission and educational philosophy.
Willingness to role model the values Outward Bound seeks to teach to students, including character, leadership and service.
Participate in course planning including: course logistics including development of educational and technical curricula, route planning, and food and equipment planning and pack-out.

Community Development

Committed to actively participating in building a community where all students and staff feel a sense of belonging.
Provide clear, effective and timely communication with co-instructor, Course Director and other staff.
Able to give and receive timely, effective oral and written feedback.
Assist in managing student behaviors, group dynamics, and facilitating group processes.
Leadership and mentorship opportunities with community youth and peers.

Student Supervision & Safety

Assist in identifying, assessing and managing environmental, physical, social and emotional risk during all course activities.
Adhere to local operating procedures, safety policies and emergency procedures as outlined in the field staff manual.
Assist in managing student emotional and physical safety in times of duress, such as field emergencies.
Other Duties as Assigned

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES

Collaboration – Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds to effectively meet shared objectives, while encouraging the open expression of a diversity of ideas and opinions.
Communication – ability to clearly convey ideas, facts and information in a variety of settings using different mediums, while encouraging the open expression of a diversity of ideas and opinions.
Conflict Management – Ability to manage and resolve conflict productively and with minimal negative impact by integrating a diversity of viewpoints, addressing harm, and fostering understanding and empathy.
Continual Learning -The ability to assess and recognize one’s own strengths and pursue opportunities for continuous improvement through formal and informal channels including feedback, training, or stretch goals. An interest in and commitment to knowing oneself and others.
Cultural Competence -The ability to recognize and appreciate patterns of cultural differences and commonalities and to shift cultural perspective and change behavior in culturally appropriate and authentic ways.
Decision Making – The ability to make sound and timely decisions that accomplish goals, even in the face of uncertainty or high-pressure situations.
Instills Trust – The ability to gain the confidence and trust of people from varying backgrounds and lived experiences through honesty, integrity, authenticity, and consistency between words and actions.
Action Oriented – Demonstrates personal initiative and motivation; remains adaptable, resourceful, and positive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
SKILLS

Time Management – Uses time effectively and efficiently, focusing on the most important tasks.
Self Management – The ability to set well-defined and realistic personal goals, take on and complete tasks in a timely manner, and complete work with an appropriate level of supervision.
Situational Adaptability – The ability to modify approach and demeanor in real time to align with the shifting demands of different situations. The ability to “read the room” and adjust accordingly.
Teaching Others – The ability to help others learn through formal and informal methods, identify training needs, provide constructive feedback, and coach others on how to successfully perform tasks.
Experience coaching, mentoring, or training youth, coworkers, or peers.
Ability to assess and evaluate Instructor.
Exhibit high level of self-awareness when reflecting on staff judgement and decision-making as well as interpersonal relationships (staff-staff, staff-student).
Outdoor Technical Skills – Demonstrated competency in river-canoe expedition skills, campcraft, map and compass navigation, expedition logistics and risk management.
Demonstrated experience teaching the above skills to students.
Demonstrated experience leading others.
Outdoor Leadership Skills – Demonstrated competency in group facilitation and team building.
Risk Management – Ability to lead self and others in anticipating, mitigating, and engaging in healthy risks to meet goals.
Demonstrated ability to assess students’ ability and backcountry hazards and use that information to mitigate the risk of participating in expedition style travel in a natural environment.
Judgement & Decision Making – makes good decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, experience and judgement; most decisions/solutions to problems appear correct over time.
WORK CONDITIONS

Must be able to participate in all site and course activities and maintain ample energy, strength and focus to aid students and instructors, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Must be able to participate in all site and course activities and maintain ample energy, strength and focus to aid students and instructors, with or without reasonable accommodations.
On feet most days – sometimes for up to 16+ hours a day, or possibly more in the case of an emergency.
Constantly works in outdoor weather conditions, occasionally during poor weather.
Ability to work a flexible and varied schedule, including weekends.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Occasionally must carry equipment weighing up to 75 pounds.
Ability to participate in vigorous to moderate physical activity including but not limited to backpacking, paddling, backpacking, running, carrying canoes overland, swimming, rock climbing, kayaking.
Ability to lift, crawl, bend, carry and pull.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS

21 years of age as of start date of employment.
Valid Driver’s License (held for 3 years) that passes screening criteria.
The following certifications (or the ability to obtain them after hiring) are required: Wilderness First Responder and CPR, Water Safety or Lifeguard Certification.
Team building, top-rope rock climbing, and high ropes course facilitation experience (preferred).
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a seasonal, exempt position.
Per Diem starting rate is $100-$105 DOE based on the 2025 pay scale.
Room and board provided while on contract.
Pro deals (the opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at discounted rates).
Paid sick time (accrued at the rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked).
Eligible for a 403b retirement plan with 2% an employer match up to 2% of total earnings.
Access to VOBS Employee Assistance Program.

DATES AND TIMELINE

Position start date is mid-May.
Hiring happens on a rolling basis beginning in October and positions will remain open until filled.
All field staff schedules are dependent on student enrollment. As a result, Instructors will receive their specific work assignments after training. Instructors must maintain flexibility during the peak season (May-August) and some opportunities for year-round work may be available.