Overview

 

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY 

The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner. 

 

Tell me about this job! 

As the BOLD & GOLD Participant Support Director, you will provide direct support to BOLD & GOLD participants. This includes connecting with families before, during, and after trips to support the Mental, Emotional, and Social Health needs of participants, with the aim of helping everyone to feel safe, happy, and comfortable while always ensuring the supervision and safety of participants. The BOLD & GOLD Participant Support Director is supervised by the Summer Program Director and performs other duties as assigned. This is an Authorized Driver position; read more in the Position Requirements. 

 

BOLD & GOLD is dedicated to inspiring courage and confidence in diverse groups of youth through outdoor adventures. As a program of the Camping & Outdoor Leadership branch of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, BOLD & GOLD offers year-round partnership programs and summer expedition experiences. Partnership programs engage with schools, non-profits, and community-based organizations to design and implement transformative outdoor experiences. The summer expedition program runs single-gender and all-gender expeditions that engage youth through frontcountry and backcountry trips ranging in length from 5 to 15 days. 

 

BOLD & GOLD experiences take place in Mt. Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, National Forests, Washington State Parks, and local green spaces. Activities include backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, snowshoeing, fishing, art, and team building. The goal of BOLD & GOLD is to increase confidence, courage, emotional intelligence, wonder, and community awareness in our participants. BOLD & GOLD believes these traits are the foundations of leadership and works to inspire participants to develop their own leadership style. BOLD & GOLD prepares young people to be the next generation of leaders through multicultural experiential education in the natural world. 

 

Find out more at www.seattleymca.org/boldgold  

 

HIRING RANGE: Starts at $185/day

 

WHAT YOU'LL GET FROM WORKING AT THE Y  

• Individual membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle  

• Free access to mental health resources 

• Rapidly accruing paid time off (PTO) 

• Subsidized ORCA Transit Pass 

• Access to discounted gear and equipment through pro deals 

Responsibilities

What you’ll be doing:

• Work closely with Course Directors, Logistics Manager, Logistics Coordinators, and instructors providing resources, suggestions, and direct support for participants who need extra attention due to behavior, health (mental and physical), or life circumstance. 

• Communicate directly with parents, guardians, or case workers pro- and re-actively to gain tips for working with specific participants and to give updates on the participants’ experience. 

• Maintain detailed reports and accounts of all work with participants, families, and staff. 

• Assist as a member of the leadership team with plans, schedules, and facilitate program activities that are developmentally appropriate, and which promote camper skill and character development. Organizes, leads, and assists with facilitation of all-camp special events. 

• Build strong rapport with participants, staff, and families, foster positive group development, create structure, and draw learning from experiential activities. 

• Train and mentor staff in how to: 

• Build emotionally and physically safe environments with groups of middle and high school participants. 

• Help participants build emotional intelligence and multicultural leadership skills through wilderness experience. 

• Model cultural humility and celebrate diversity, effectively working with people of different identities, backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. 

• Ensure both a physically and an emotionally safe and inclusive environment for youth and staff. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.     WORK ENVIRONMENT  BOLD & GOLD is based out of the Cascade People’s Center (CPC), located in Seattle, WA. BOLD & GOLD courses begin and end at the CPC. BOLD & GOLD programming takes place in remote wilderness locations (national park, national forest, state park land) across Washington State. The BOLD & GOLD Participant Support Director role is primarily office based, aside from participation in staff training, driving, and other field-based support.    PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

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. 

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  This position requires the ability to occasionally lift or store janitorial products and supplies, up to 50 pounds. 

 

Employees must be able to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds, safely travel over varied terrain (trails, tree roots, boulder / rock fields, shoreline, mud, snow, ice) up to 15 miles per day, be comfortable spending multiple days in a wilderness setting, communicate both verbally and non-verbally with other staff, volunteers, and participants. 

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK  This is a seasonal exempt position, and staff are paid a daily rate. Participant Support Directors will work approximately 40 - 50 hours per week on a Thursday - Monday schedule. Approximate schedule will be from mid-May to early September. This includes Leadership Team training and All-Staff training, which occurs in June. This position is part of the Outdoor Leadership risk management support system and will require on-call shifts as duties demand. 

TRAVEL  BOLD & GOLD employees must be able to commute to the Cascade People’s Center, 309 Pontius Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109. Parking is not available onsite, but there is paid public parking located around the building. The area is serviced by several public bus routes. All travel required for work will be done in YMCA vehicles. This is an Authorized Driver position; read more in the Position Requirements.

 

Code of Conduct for Applicants

Qualifications

What we're looking for in an applicant:

• Work or life experience or education in social work, mental health counseling, or related fields is preferred.  
• Experience with and knowledge of youth behavior management and child abuse prevention.
• Experience making the transference of a wilderness experience relevant to the everyday lives of youth.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships with youth and adults from a variety of backgrounds. 
• Ability to role model compassionate and confident leadership.
• High level of self-awareness and can work in a collaborative setting.
• Commitment to working with diverse groups of youth and staff.
• Possess strong organizational skills, flexibility, and a problem-solving mentality.
• Ability to mentor staff in interpersonal skills, including clear, consistent communication, building positive group culture, and supporting participants through challenges such as homesickness, conflict, etc.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Current WFA and CPR Certifications.*
• Current Washington State Food Handlers Permit.* 
• Leave No Trace 101 Certification.*

 

*Required by start date.

Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

 

This position requires driving:

BOLD & GOLD uses 14-passenger minibuses to transport passengers and equipment to trailheads and campsites, including driving on interstates, city streets, and rural roads. 

 

Driving Duties RequirementThis role transports clients as an “authorized driver” for the YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS) using an employer-provided vehicle. Driving duties for this role are Required. Driving roles are safety-sensitive. To become an authorized driver, you must be 21+, have possessed a driver's license for at least 3 years, and pass a drug screen that will test for impairing substances (including marijuana) in addition to meeting the driving record standards below:

YGS Driving Record Standards

Within the last three (3) years: No more than two (2) vehicle related suspension(s) and/or reinstatement(s). No more than two (2) moving violations and/or accidents.  Moving violations include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Speeding
• Improper Lane Change
• Failure to Yield in Right-of-Way
• Failure to Obey Traffic Signal
• Failure to obey Traffic Sign

Within the last five (5) years: No Major Violations which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, BUI (Boating), Administrative Per Se, or Refusing to Test
• Driving with an open container of alcohol
• Reckless Driving
• Hit and Run – property damage only (Incidents resulting in injury fall under Permanent Disqualification)
• Racing
• Driving with a suspended/revoked license/insurance
• Speeding over 20 mph
• Fleeing and/or eluding police
• Any other felony driving conviction(s)

Driving records that result in permanent disqualification from driving duties:

• More than 3 DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, BUI, Administrative Per Se, or Refusing to Test for entirety of driving history.
• More than 3 Driving with a suspended/revoked license
• Hit and Run resulting in bodily injury or death
• Manslaughter/felony death by motor vehicle

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• WFR or W-EMT Certification.
• Knowledge of and previous experience with diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.). Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.
• Experience with anti-racism practices and coalition building.

MISSION STATEMENT Building a community where all people, especially the young, are encouraged to develop their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.   OUR VALUES

• Respect
• Responsibility
• Honesty
• Caring
• Passion for Excellence

YGS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law.   All job offers are contingent on the results of a background check. We participate in the Federal E-Verify system.