Field Instructor 2027 in Spruce Head, Maine at The Hurricane Island Outward Bound School

Take your passion for community building and outdoor adventure to the next level and live on the picturesque Maine Coast. As a Field Instructor, you will facilitate transformative sailing, canoeing, backpacking and/or sea kayaking courses with students (ages ranging from middle school to adult). Most of our expeditions range from 5-22 days and take place in a variety of locations in Maine, from the rugged coastlines of Penobscot Bay to the ancient Appalachian Mountain ridgeline. With the mentorship of our Lead Instructors & Program Coordinators, you will teach technical expedition skills and facilitate social-emotional learning (on topics like leadership, conflict resolution and personal growth).

The Field Instructor position is an entry-level instructional role, providing familiarity with Outward Bound methodology, procedures, policies, and the local course area. Most first year Field Instructor staff hired are scheduled into a Hybrid Field Staff – Instructor and Logistician role. Applicants should expect to work in both roles when applying for the Field Instructor position. First year Field Instructors focus on one of two technical tracks: sailing programming or backpacking and canoeing programming.

COMPENSATION & SCHEDULE

• This is a seasonal, exempt position with a daily rate assigned in the range of $105-$125/day following introductory training. Starting daily rates are set based on work experience.
• Our pay scale is based on skills and experience. Consideration for a higher position and/or pay can be taken into account on a case by case basis depending on the criteria that you meet. We can discuss this more during the interview and hiring process.
• During New Instructor Trainings, staff are paid a training rate of $75 per day.
• This is a seasonal position starting with required trainings in early May and ending field work in mid-September. New staff members can expect to work between 50 – 85 days including training.

BENEFITS

• Room and board are provided and are available during time off within a work agreement. Housing options include bunkhouse-style cabins with electricity that accommodate up to four to six people, rustic semi-permanent canvas housing, as well as tent platforms for individual tents.
• Staff have access to industry-leading paid training and professional development opportunities in areas including education, facilitation, backcountry risk management, and technical skill development.
• Staff become eligible for pro deals (the opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at discounted rates) after instructing their first course.
• Staff are eligible to enroll in 401k after 1 year from their start date.
• Staff have access to our free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family/household

WHO WE ARE

The Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS) is a non-profit educational organization and an independent member of the Outward Bound (OBUSA) national network. We have been serving students for over 60 years. We offer a wide variety of programming from single day programs for local Maine youth to 80-day semester courses which travel to the Bahamas, from sailing courses for Veterans on the coast of Maine to backpacking courses in the mountains of Costa Rica. Our mission is to spark lifelong growth through challenge—outside. We facilitate adventurous learning, rooted in the outdoors, to unlock confidence, curiosity, and the skills to thrive with purpose. At HIOBS we aim to create and maintain an inclusive and equitable culture where staff feel respected for their identities and backgrounds. We are looking for staff who can actively join us in furthering this vision of equity and belonging.

ADDITIONAL ROLE INFORMATION

In the Instructor role, staff work under the direct supervision of a Lead Instructor, Course Director, or Program Coordinator and are responsible for supervising, teaching, and facilitating students (ages 12 years old to adult) throughout the duration of our primarily wilderness-based courses. Our courses take students into new and challenging outdoor environments while focusing on leadership, community, and personal growth. We run programming in lengths ranging from 1 day to 80 days. Most courses are between 5 and 22 days in length. Instructors also support pre- and post-course needs through planning, packing, and organizing curriculum for the course, as well as post course paperwork and gear cleaning. First year instructors focus on either the sailing technical track or the backpacking canoeing technical track. Some opportunities for sea kayaking exist for experienced sea kayakers.

In the Logistics Coordinator role, staff work under the direct supervision of the Logistics Manager and Kitchen Manager. Staff are responsible for coordinating course-related needs for students and staff such as transportation, gear, and food for our courses and maintaining our gear, property, and vehicle fleet. This role also provides support to students, Instructors, and Course Directors before, during and after course with planning and packing, supporting evacuations and post course paperwork. ?Staff must have the ability to problem solve and the capacity to develop a vision for the logistics function and help to refine systems to support that vision.

Both roles require collaboration, flexibility, hard work, and a commitment to providing a safe, high-quality educational experience for students and staff. Time spent in each role depends on factors including, but not limited to relevant skills, outdoor education experience, staffing needs, student enrollment, individual development plans, and program needs.

The Hurricane Island Outward Bound School acknowledges that people of diverse identities including BIPOC folks, queer, non-binary and trans folks, and women may be less likely to apply for jobs if they believe that they do not meet every qualification listed in a job description. The skills, experience, and education that allow someone to serve our student populations can come from many different sources. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are interested in the position, even if you do not believe that you meet every qualification.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Communication

• Assist the Lead Instructor in delivering the Outward Bound mission, educational framework, and required course components.
• Teach and coach outdoors skills and social-emotional skills to students of different ages, abilities and backgrounds.
• Communicate clearly, effectively, and promptly with the Lead Instructor, Program Coordinator, and other staff, both verbally and in writing.
• Contribute positively to an inclusive, culturally competent, student-focused work and living environment.
• Consistently seek opportunities to give and receive feedback with coworkers and supervisors.
• Pursue professional growth and develop technical, educational, and interpersonal skills toward promotion to Lead Instructor.
• Participate fully in course planning, including developing educational and technical curricula, planning routes, and organizing and packing food and equipment.

Safety and Risk Management

• Actively monitor and assess risks, teach students to manage risk appropriately, and safeguard student mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
• Follow all local operating procedures, safety policies, and emergency procedures outlined in the staff handbook and field staff manual.
• Demonstrates the ability to behave as a role model for students, and the ability to manage a range of student behaviors in a positive manner.
• Consistently model and teach best practices in self-care, hygiene, and safety awareness.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Demonstrate competency in at least one of the following skill areas: backpacking, canoeing, sailing, or sea kayaking.
• Demonstrate proficiency in navigation using maps, charts, and a compass.
• Practices emotional regulation and balanced decision-making in stressful situations
• Demonstrate proper equipment use, care, and repair.
• Demonstrate sufficient expedition and self-care skills to remain focused on student needs.
• Respond effectively to emergencies such as anaphylactic shock, a capsized boat, or fire.
• Understand backcountry hazards and weather patterns.
• Teach belaying, rappelling, and rock climbing techniques; no prior experience is required.
• Practice low-impact wilderness travel and explain the ethical principles that guide it.
• Must have held a driver’s license for more than 3 years and meet our insurance requirements for a safe driving record. (J-1 Visa candidates are exempt from this qualification and will not drive for HIOBS)

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience in overnight youth serving outdoor leadership or experiential education programs preferred.
• Extensive multi-day wilderness expedition experience preferred.
• Hold current certifications in WFR and CPR, or ability to obtain before beginning work.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to frequently work in adverse weather condition and able to regulate body temperature through clothing and actions, occasionally during poor weather, and in temperatures commonly as low or high as 30°F/-4°C to 100°F/27°C
• Ability to consistently maintain emotional regulation while working with students even in adverse circumstances
• Sufficiently fit to participate in all site and course activities and maintain ample energy, strength, and focus to prevent or respond to emergencies.
• Ability to effectively function and maintain safety while on your feet most days and able to ascend, descend, or traverse rugged, uneven, and steep terrain (on and off-trail) covered in wet surfaces, loose rocks, and/or thick vegetation. – sometimes for up to 16 hours a day, or possibly more in the case of an emergency.
• Ability to frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Able to make effective forward progress while swimming
• Able to frequently sleep on ground, camp outside, etc.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

• You will be prompted to upload your resume and answer the application questions.
• Providing a technical skills log is optional and can be included in your application under “Additional Documents”
• Hiring is done on a rolling basis, and positions will remain open until filled. We will pool applications and begin interviewing in mid-December.
• If selected, candidates need to be present for the required trainings in May and participate in 3 weeks of paid trainings before working with students.

DISCLAIMERS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. By accepting a position with The Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, you acknowledge that you are able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. To request accommodation during the application and interviewing process, please contact Human Resources.

This job description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Hurricane Island Outward Bound School has a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of child abuse and neglect and will report any suspected abuse or neglect.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Hurricane Island Outward Bound School is an equal opportunity employer and works to include diversity among its staff. The Hurricane Island Outward Bound School values the inclusion and collaboration among employees of diverse backgrounds and experiences. The Hurricane Island Outward Bound School prohibits discrimination against, and harassment of, any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, qualified individuals with a disability on the basis of the disability, or any other category which may be protected under applicable state or federal law. The Hurricane Island Outward Bound School also promotes respect for all people, and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics nor on differences based on gender identity or expression.