Outdoor Camp Instructor

The Outdoors Program with Blacksburg Parks and Rec. Dept. offers an array of outdoor adventures and environmental education programs for coed youth and adults ranging in size from 6-15 participants. Our programs highlight the natural beauty of the New River Valley and Southwest Virginia through: canoeing, kayaking, climbing, camping, caving, hiking, and environmental education.

The Outdoor Camp Instructor will be responsible for leading groups of 6-15 participants 11-18 years old on day and overnight trips, during the week and/or weekends, providing sound judgment and decision making skills to ensure the safety of each participant, instruct/facilitate games, manage group dynamics and foster a safe and energetic atmosphere where participants can gain an appreciation for the natural world. Outdoor Camp Instructors must be comfortable leading others in an outdoor setting and must be comfortable staying some overnights in a rustic camping situation with little to no facilities or amenities along with a co-leader.

Shift: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm
          Occasional weekends

The Town of Blacksburg is an EEO Employer M/F/D/V

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Operates 15 passenger vans with trailers in a safe and proper manner
• Leads groups of 6-15 participants on day and overnight trips in an outdoor setting
• Provides sound judgment and decision making skills to ensure the safety of each participant
• Programs/Instructs/Facilitates outdoor adventure camp programs
• Manages group dynamics and foster a safe and energetic atmosphere

• Applicants must demonstrate basic technical skills in canoeing, kayaking, climbing, camping, caving, hiking, biking, and environmental education and be in good physical condition
• Experience driving a 15 passenger van towing a trailer is preferred but not required

• High school diploma or GED certification required and moderate experience in outdoor adventure and camp programs

• Applicants must have a valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record and be at least 18 yrs or older 
• Applicants should have or be willing to obtain a current CPR and Basic First Aid certification, (Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certifications are preferred but not required)
• Other outdoor certifications are a plus.

• This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 50 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force
• Work regularly requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing, tasting or smelling, pushing or pulling and lifting
• Work has standard vision requirements
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound
• Work requires operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities