Backpacking and Quest Supervisor

Backpacking and Quest Supervisor

Wilderness Programs Supervisor

Salary & Dates: 2 positions, $7750, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 19-August 8. Availability to begin remotely in early May preferred to prepare for Wilderness Leader Training May 21 – 26.

Job Description: Train, supervise, and support a team of 18-20 wilderness staff in the following program areas: 1-2 night backpacking trips, multi-week teen adventure Quests, risk management, group facilitation, and Leave No Trace. Coordinate and schedule backpacking trips and troubleshoot Quest logistics as needed. Facilitate interdepartmental collaboration with the Kitchen, Health Center, Unit Heads and others depending on need. Liaise with local parks departments and rangers. Respond to emergencies in the field. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing. Must be 21 with current Wilderness First Responder or WEMT and Lifeguard certifications. Must have a valid driver’s licence and clean driving record. Prior Tawonga Wilderness Leader experience preferred.

Job Responsibilities

• Training and Supervision

  • Lead workshops and training during Wild Week and Staff Training for all Wilderness Leaders. 

  • Lead Wilderness department meetings and ongoing training.

  • Supervise backpacking leaders and Quest leaders. This includes pre-season and ongoing training, observation, feedback, policy enforcement, formal and informal check-ins, and written evaluations. 

• Backpacking Management

  • Manage logistics for the in-camp backpacking program. This includes creating schedules, communicating with other departments (Counselors & Unit Heads, Health Center, Kitchen, Drivers, Directors, Office), purchasing permits, seeing off BP trips and welcoming returns.

  • Coordinate elective day hike logistics.

  • Maintain and update BP Destinations manual.

  • Inventory and maintain safety of all Backpacking (BP) equipment, facilitate gear sign out, help Wilderness Leaders keep shed organized, purchase new equipment as needed, and conduct final inventory at end of summer with a list of what needs to be ordered for the following season.

  • Submit monthly actual use reports to Yosemite NP and bear reports as needed.

• Quest Management

  • Prepare quest leaders to lead multi-week trips on the road.

  • Support pre-trip preparations (planning and gathering materials), remotely supervise once the trip has started via regularly scheduled quest phone calls, support challenges with group management, camper behavior, route changes due to fire/smoke or other unexpected circumstances.

  • Conduct end of quest return process, including gear return, paperwork and final evaluations.

  • Manage wilderness@tawonga.org email to coordinate with outfitters and other logistics as needed.

• Other

  • Meet daily with the Wild Supervisor Team or as needed

  • Report significant counselor or kid events to the 5 o’clock team, and all staff/safety issues to Supervisor.

  • Maintain records (schedules, certifications, incidents, and purchases).

  • Drive, lead trips, lead BP prep or gear return, as needed.

  • Provide coverage to other Wild Supervisors as needed, e.g. supervising Teva and Garden programs, observing at Challenge Course, etc.

  • Facilitate gear lending and sign-out to non-wilderness camp staff.

  • Attend daily 5 o’clock meetings.

  • Work closely with the Head of Transportation to supervise Drivers.

  • Assist the Head of Transportation in creating vehicle/driver schedules.

Qualifications

• 21  

• Wilderness First Responder or WEMT and Lifeguard certifications required*

• Valid driver’s licence and clean driving record required

• Backpacking, environmental education, and/or guiding experience required

• Prior Tawonga Wilderness Leader experience preferred

*If you do not possess these certifications, Tawonga may reimburse the cost of obtaining it.

Day in the Life (Backpacking Departure Day) 

5:30AM – Wake up
6:00AM – Facilitate backpacking trip departures

8:00AM – Breakfast

9:15AM – Lead Wilderness Morning Meeting

10:00AM - Break/Nap!

12:30PM – Lunch 

1:30PM – Check-in with Wilderness Leaders

2:30PM – Work with Wilderness Leaders to clean shed and prep armoires

4:00PM – Backpacking prep talks

5:00PM - 5 O’clock supervisor meeting

6:00PM – Dinner, call Quest Leaders and take notes on call.

7:30PM – Facilitate pre-trip rotations with Wilderness Leaders

8:30PM – Work on computer logistics, stay on radio until 10pm, or pass off to co-supervisor.

Salary : $7,750