Who We Are

The Mountaineers is a community of outdoor recreationists and conservationists founded in 1906 to explore the peaks and waterways of the Pacific Northwest. Today, we have 14,000 members and seven branches in Western Washington, where we deliver most of our outdoor education programming. Thanks to the work of generations of volunteers and our internationally recognized publishing division, we continue to enjoy an outstanding reputation in the fields of outdoor education, recreation, and public lands conservation and advocacy.

Our dedicated volunteers and staff get people outside to experience the power of the natural world. We advocate for access and protection of recreational lands so that future generations can enjoy these places too. Our core value of community reflects the belief that a diverse and inclusive outdoors inspires unity, respect, and passion for the places we love. Our 45 staff, divided between our program centers and our nonprofit publishing division, Mountaineers Books, and 3,000+ volunteers work together to achieve our mission to enrich lives by helping people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. 

Visit mountaineers.org to learn more.

Position Overview

The Adventure Camp Coordinator has the primary responsibility of overseeing the safe and effective execution of overnight camp programs for The Mountaineers summer camp. They will organize gear, plan the menu, and make the schedule before the trip, provide outdoor instruction and leadership during the trip, and pack everything away after the trip has concluded. They will work collaboratively with the Adventure Camp Counselor, Camp Director, and Day Camp Staff to create an inclusive and welcoming camp environment. Mountaineers adventure camps include camping and learning mountaineering skills at Mt. Rainier, hiking out of the Mt. Baker Lodge, climbing and camping at Mt. Erie, 2- and 3-day backpacking trips for campers ages 10-14, and 4-day backpacking trips for campers ages 14-17.

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Oversee, organize, and support programmatic elements of adventure camps.
  • Create a positive, enthusiastic, supportive, professional environment for staff, volunteers, and campers.
  • Communicate clearly and effectively with Summer Camp Director and Adventure Camp Counselor during briefing and debriefing meetings, including giving and receiving feedback.
  • Ensure all supplies are acquired and organized in a timely manner.
  • Plan menu, being conscious of camper dietary needs, and organize food and gear before trip.
  • Keep campers safe, happy, healthy, and having fun.
  • Along with the Adventure Camp Counselor, provide outdoor instruction, such as climbing, backpacking, hiking, camping, leave no trace principles, trail etiquette, navigation, and outdoor cooking.
  • Set outdoor climbing routes and safely manage outdoor top rope site.
  • Respond appropriately and be the point of contact person in emergency situations.
  • Ensure The Mountaineers youth policies and procedures are followed and adhered to at all time.

Desired Qualifications

General Experience:

  • Positive, inspirational, and enthusiastic leader and team player.
  • Experience working with youth in the outdoors.
  • Preferably 2+ years of camp experience.
  • Outdoor experience (i.e. backpacking, rock climbing, and hiking).
  • Familiarity with outdoor places in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Strong organizational, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
  • Flexibility and adaptability when things don’t go as planned.
  • College degree or working towards degree in applicable field.
  • Minimum age 21.
  • Current Wilderness First Aid cert or ability to acquire certification before start date.
  • Must attend all of staff training and be available starting June 7 for prep work.

Outdoor Experience:

  • Proficiency belaying and lead belaying with a tube device.
  • Experience teaching basic climbing and belaying techniques.
  • Ability to oversee and manage an outdoor top rope site.
  • Ability to safely lead 5.8 sport climbs is preferred.
  • Single Pitch Instructor preferred but not required.
  • Experience leading overnight car camping and/or backpacking trips and teaching related skills is preferred.

Cultivating an inclusive staff is central to The Mountaineers focus on advancing equity. Our core values are Adventure, Advocacy, Community, Education, and Volunteerism, and we believe a diverse and inclusive environment inspires unity, respect, and passion for our work and one another. We’re interested in hearing from people who can work with colleagues of varied experience and background. The Mountaineers is an equal-opportunity employer, and candidates from all backgrounds are considered, and as an organization that values equity and inclusion, we highly encourage people of color, women, LG/BTQ individuals, and veterans to apply.

You must be able to pass a criminal background check to work within this position. Occasionally you will be required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. While you are performing the duties of this job, you will be required to stand for extended periods of time while leading youth, and must be able to hike on uneven and hilly terrain continuously for up to five miles while carrying a heavy pack. As a requirement of instructing youth programs you will be required to bend, squat, run, or climb.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment 

This role is based in Seattle, WA at The Mountaineers Program Center in Magnuson Park. Summer Camp 2021 is planning to run in person, at limited capacity, with COVID-19 protocols in place to ensure the safety of campers and staff. As Washington State’s reopening guidelines continue to evolve and shift, so too do camp protocols. Staff will be updated as these adaptations are made and are encouraged to communicate their questions, concerns, and needs to the Camp Director throughout the planning process.

 

Compensation and Benefits

This position is for a full-time, seasonal employee. Regular schedule will be 40+ hours a week. Compensation ranges from $725-800/week, depending on experience. Benefits include membership to The Mountaineers. Housing between trips not provided.

To Apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume to Tailor Dolgin through the link below. The cover letter should address 1) what experience, skills, and personal characteristics qualify you for this position and 2) why the mission and work of The Mountaineers appeals to you (1 page max).  https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6212696/The-Mountaineers-Seattle-Summer-Camp-Staff

Disclaimer: The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Our organization has a zero tolerance policy to any form of sexual, physical, verbal, or emotional abuse. Any employee or volunteer found in violation of this policy will be removed immediately and reported to proper authorities.