POSITION SUMMARY 

This is a seasonal position (arriving in May and continuing through August) working primarily in the field. Candidates are required to attend a pre-employment training before the season begins that includes wilderness travel training, technical skills training, OB curriculum and educational philosophy. 

The Lead Instructor is a mid-level position and stands at the core of Outward Bound course delivery. They hold the responsibility for training and mentoring Instructors, creating and facilitating course curriculum, and upholding physical and emotional safety standards. Lead Instructors must have extensive prior knowledge of educational, technical, and interpersonal skills to meet the educational outcomes and safety expectations of an Outward Bound course. The instructional team–typically one Lead Instructor and one Instructor–is responsible for using a wilderness expedition to deliver safe, impactful programs using Outward Bound’s educational framework, outcomes, and values. 

VOBS serves a wide range of student populations. The majority of our students in the summer and fall are young people between the ages of 14 and 25. We have "classic" courses, our standard expedition format, ranging in length from 8 days to 22 days. Additionally, we have courses with specially designed curriculum such as our Pathfinder and Intercept programs. VOBS also works with intact groups, creating the opportunity to work a variety of programs throughout the summer. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Delivery & Implementation 

• Under supervision of the Course Director and while training an Instructor(s), collaborate to design and implement experiential education programs that are in line with VOBS mission and educational philosophy and are tailored to the student group.
• Willingness to role model the values Outward Bound seeks to teach to students, including courage, inclusion, and integrity.
• Leads instructor in course planning including: development of educational and technical curricula, route planning, gear issue, meal planning, and food pack-out.

Community Development 

• Actively participate 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.
• Mentor Instructor in managing student behaviors and facilitating group dynamics and group processes.
• Role model a service mindset —supporting students, co-instructors, and the mission through teamwork, care, and professionalism.
• Contribute to living in a small community in a wilderness basecamp. Participating in the daily upkeep and maintenance of public space.

Student Supervision & Safety

• Adhere to local operating procedures, safety policies and emergency procedures as outlined in the field staff manual.
• Mentor and supervise Instructor(s) on VOBS policies and procedures.
• Manage student behaviors, group dynamics, and facilitate group processes
• Support student emotional and physical safety in times of duress, such as field emergencies, inclement weather, or interpersonal conflict.
• Maintain big-picture vision and keep safety in mind during all decision-making processes.
• Participate as needed to support the basecamp’s on-call field response system. This could include paddling or hiking to evacuate an injured student from the wilderness, answering the emergency field line, and preparing food and gear for evacuation teams.

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, and goal setting. 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

• 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 expeditions-style travel in a natural environment.
• 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.
• Time Management - Uses time effectively and efficiently, focusing on the most important tasks.
• 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(s).
• Exhibit a 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 skills like canoeing, portaging, backpacking, 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.
• 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. 
• 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, often during poor weather 
• Ability to lift, crawl, bend, carry and pull. Work is sometimes done in confined spaces and at height .
• Ability to work a varied and flexible schedule including weekends.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Mental resilience sufficient to endure occasional physically and/or emotionally difficult situations, including but not limited to: working with staff, students, partners, chaperones or parents in emotionally charged circumstances.
• Must be able to carry equipment weighing up to 75 pounds.
• Ability to participate in vigorous to moderate physical activity including but not limited to backpacking, paddling, portaging, running, carrying canoes overland, swimming, rock climbing and kayaking.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• 21 years of age as of start date of employment.
• Valid Driver's License (held for 3 years) that passes Outward Bound USA screening criteria (Strongly Preferred).
• The following certifications (or the ability to obtain them after hiring) are required:
• Wilderness First Responder and CPR.
• Wilderness Water Safety or Active Lifeguard Certification (Water Safety class provided to staff at a reduced cost during staff training cycle).
• Preference for experiential education experience in a position of leadership; some of which should be on extended overnight expeditions. 
• Preference for team building experience and/or top-rope rock climbing, sea kayaking, and high ropes course facilitation experience. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

• This is a seasonal, exempt position.
• Lead Instructor pay range: $130-$170 per day, with most new Lead Instructors starting at $130 per day.
• Final role placement is determined after training, based on demonstrated skills and readiness to meet the responsibilities of the position.
• Candidates who are assessed during training as not yet possessing the skillset required of a Lead Instructor will be offered Instructor work (pay range of $110-$120 per day).
• You may also be asked to do support work for the program when you are not instructing, which is paid at $95/day.
• Housing and meals 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 an employer match up to 2% of total earnings.
• Access to VOBS Employee Assistance Program.
• Eligible for MN Paid Leave after earning at least $3900 in the previous year in the state of MN

Plus:

• A supportive, values-driven community where staff live the same principles we teach on course.
• A chance to grow personally and professionally. 
• Opportunities to enjoy your downtime: swim at our dock, paddleboard on the lake, sauna next to the river, or head out with friends to run the rapids by our base.
• Professional development opportunities in the form of wilderness staff travels.
• A vibrant staff culture—many team members form lifelong friendships here.

Dates & Timeline Information

• This position will start May 11th, 2026.
• Hiring happens on a rolling basis 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); some opportunities for year-round work may be available.