Rite of Passage Journeys (“Journeys”) is a well-established and growing organization which focuses on building skills to honor life transitions through meaningful rites of passage while being in relationship with nature. Programs offered include wilderness based expeditions for all individuals who are 10 and older, including offerings for adults, leadership intensives designed to teach wilderness based rites of passage to others, and community programs to explore a wide variety of topics that support ceremonial opportunities to deepen connection with self, community, nature and spirit.

Join our basecamp team at Rite of Passage Journeys for our summer programs. While the following tasks outline your primary responsibilities, our lean staff necessitates flexibility to contribute wherever needed to ensure the smooth operation of our programs. This could involve stepping in to lead a ceremony, helping to prepare a guide team, assisting with emergency logistics, or providing last-minute backup for a guide in the field. There may be an opportunity to step in as a guide for a trip, if you shift to guiding in the field you would shift to exempt status and be paid by the day of summer guide standards.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience in an outdoor recreation organization. You will develop a strong foundation of youth/family support, guide training, and outdoor logistics. You will be one of the main supporters assisting the Executive Director, Program Director and Basecamp Manager.

Duration: This position is a 2.5 month position beginning mid-June to early September. You will work approximately a 40 hour work week with irregular hours, depending on organizational and expedition needs. This is a non-exempt position so over-time, when pre-approved, would be offered if there was a need beyond the 40 hour work week.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with Basecamp Manager and Intern for food and gear inventory, organization, maintenance and distribution;
• Support Basecamp Manager and Intern in resupply of food and gear and possible meal prep;
• Assist Program Director with extra support with summer guides in preparing for trips;

  • Preparing program binders;

  • Supporting guides through prep days;

  • Assist in resupply logistics;

• Assist with trip resupply as necessary, requiring a good driving record and potential use of personal vehicle for travel to the Olympic Peninsula and/or surrounding areas of Mt. Baker Forest (with reimbursement for personal vehicle use);
• Support in day of ceremonial logistics and preparation for participants, families, and community members;
• Ability to support in upkeep of basecamp facilities, including outdoor kitchen, food, storage, gear storage, yurt, and surrounding grounds;
• Support summer staff in maintenance and upkeep of vehicles;
• Substitute guide if last minute field time is needed;
• Support Adult programs through meal prep or other needed logistics;
• Additional responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications:

• Exceptional communication skills to work as a part of a dynamic team during a very engaging summer season.
• At least 2 years of experience facilitating outdoor programs with youth and/or conducting rite of passage work, wilderness therapy, teaching, or professional mentorship.
• Have a baseline knowledge of Rite of Passage Journeys summer programs or be able to acquire.
•  Proficiency in facilitating ceremony, ritual, and council (sharing circles).
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to teach backcountry skills such as backpacking gear, cooking, tarp shelters, fire crafting, knots, and naturalist skills.
• Ability to uphold morale, cultivate a sense of belonging within a group, and adeptly facilitate conflict resolution among participants and guide teams when necessary.
• Possession of a min of Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification with preference given to Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) certification or be ability to acquire before beginning of summer season.
• Understanding of risk management, experience navigating challenging environments, and responding to physical or emotional emergencies in the field.
• Capability to deliver safe, transformational, and engaging experiences for participants with diverse identities and perspectives.
• Resilience, dedication, stamina, and self-awareness necessary for leading youth on the trail