Mountain Trail Outdoor School Instructor

Mountain Trail Outdoor School Instructor

The Mountain Trail Outdoor School (MTOS) is a residential, environmental and adventure education program located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Hendersonville, North Carolina.  MTOS offers day, multi-day, and week-long programs to school groups and other educational organizations.  We serve both public and private schools. Most of the schools that attend MTOS are middle school age (5^th to 8^th grade). 

MTOS’s experiential learning curriculum combines natural science study, community building activities and opportunities for participants to increase their self-confidence through outdoor activities.  

Instructor duties include, but are not limited to:

• Active participation in staff training

• Teaching small group classes (generally two, three hour classes per day).  Instructors are responsible for developing proficiency in all MTOS classes  
• Leading evening programs (average of two/three programs per week) 
• Full participation in all staff meetings and professional development activities
• Assisting with student orientation and meal orientation responsibilities
• Interacting professionally with students, teachers and parents

• Maintaining program equipment 
• Assisting with care of live animals in the Nature Center
• Implementing risk management systems for programs, equipment and transportation
• Other duties as assigned

Desired Qualifications

Instructors should:

• Be 21 years of age and have completed their college degree.  Degrees in a related field (Biology, Ecology, Education, and Recreation) preferred.  Preference is given to those who have experience teaching in experiential and adventure education.  
• Certification in CPR and First Aid is required (WFR preferred).  
• Staff should have experience working with young people and have knowledge of, or be willing to learn, hands-on activities in natural science, outdoor living skills, team building, facilitation of high ropes and rock climbing and wilderness expeditions. 
• Staff involved with leading backpacking expeditions are required to be certified in WFA (WFR preferred).  

Essential functions:

• Ability to communicate and work with program groups and provide necessary instruction to participants
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the program
• Physical ability to hike at least 3 miles on uneven terrain
• Cognitive and communication abilities to achieve program goals

Benefits and Details:

• On site housing and board provided
• Starting salary at $350/week