Land Based Learning Specialist – Interior, BC

at  Take a Hike Foundation

Are you passionate about youth, mental health, and the land?
Take a Hike Foundation is seeking a Land Based Learning (LBL) Specialist with an interest in mental health, and a passion for the land, education and supporting vulnerable youth and families, to become part of our Programs Team in the Interior. As we continue to grow across the province, we are looking for potential interest and encourage you to send over your application!
Take a Hike Foundation is on a mission to empower vulnerable youth to unlock their full potential and achieve personal success. We move towards this mission by engaging vulnerable youth in a full-time program of intensive and continuous clinical counselling, learning on and from the land, adventure, academics, and community.
www.takeahikefoundation.org (http://www.takeahikefoundation.org/)

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Three to five years’ experience as an experiential educator from the outdoor education industry (E.g., camps, ropes courses, or wilderness education)
• Multi-day expeditions in different types of remote terrain (at least 75 days working as a professional and 40 of those days as leader having handled risk management activities)
• Wilderness First Responder Certification, or higher-level wilderness first aid certification
• Certification in any higher risk activity that can be undertaken with the students such as rock climbing, winter travel, sea kayaking, canoeing, swimming and travel in both ocean and mountain environments (desired)
• Valid driver’s license and vehicle. [Clean divers abstract for purposes of car rental potential]

Support weekly out days

• Proactively work with program teams to plan out days that address the learning, healing, and growth goals of the youth
• Connect staff teams to learning plans, curricular links and other resources that integrate land-based learning with Ministry of Education core-competencies, academic and therapeutic goals of youth
• Attend 1-2 out-days per week and model and promote TAH out day practices
• In collaboration with staff teams, manage out day planning logistics, booking and purchasing, transportation, and approval processes for school districts
• Support in documenting LBL success with photos, videos, quotes etc.

Support multi-day trips

• Manage inventory/information of trips for repeat engagement
• Project manage trip planning, risk assessment, approval process, and support communication with youth and caregivers
• Manage trip planning logistics, including bookings and purchasing
• On-site support leading up to trips including gear packing, meal panning, shopping and pack out, and updating first-aid kits
• Where necessary, participate in multi day trips during the school year
• Be trip point person and emergency contact for select trips
• Develop and support community connections and relationships related to LBL activities, (e.g., Kayak rentals, local ski mountains, gear rental, and service providers)

Gear management

• Ensure there is appropriate gear for each program
• Lead gear organization, maintenance, and inventory
• Support regional gear partnerships
• Schedule transportation for all trips

Risk Management and Projects

• Implement and maintain TAH LBL risk management systems and policies, including the promotion of staff team understanding and compliance
• Work as part of a land-based learning team to ensure appropriate consistency across TAH programs
• Support LBL-based projects, systems, and infrastructure
• Assist with the preparation and presentation of proposals and grants for ongoing program funding, and support events, where requested