Wilderness Education Guide

Rippleffect is seeking individuals who have experience working with youth in varied outdoor education settings for our Wilderness Education Guide position. Rippleffect is excited to expand our guide team to support our growing seasonal program offerings. These include:

• Sea Kayaking
• Environmental Education
• Backpacking
• Leadership Development
• Challenge Course Elements
• Wilderness Expeditions
• Growth of Mind, Body & Spirit
• Climbing

About Us: 

Rippleffect is a non-profit youth and community development organization, serving over 4,000 youth annually. We own Cow Island, a beautiful 26-acre eco-campus in Casco Bay, Maine, where we run many of our youth and adult programs. Our mission is to promote youth development and leadership through adventure, healthy communities and living sustainably. Check out our website to read more: https://www.rippleffectmaine.org 

Rippleffect offers day and overnight camp programs, wilderness treks, and youth leadership programs. Additionally, we offer spring and fall orientation programs for school and community groups as well as adult programs and events. Applicants’ summer schedules will primarily be made up of our Classic Cow Overnight Camps, Trek programs, and may include our Aucocisco Day Camp programs. Program assignments are based on previous experience, performance in Rippleffect training, and the make-up of Rippleffect program offerings. Applicants should expect a wide variety of work offerings that will include full weekdays, 5-11 day overnight programs, and the occasional weekend work.  

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage and mentor groups of 7-14 youth (ages 8-18) while facilitating a diverse curriculum, including leadership development, sea kayak & outdoor skills training, environmental education, and more.
• Work with a co-guide and program leadership team to plan and facilitate quality outdoor programming in compliance with Rippleffect policies.
• Lead meaningful overnight and day outdoor experiences and expeditions.
• Manage the inherent risk of the job and maintain industry safety standards for participants in the field.
• Complete all necessary paperwork.
• Attend and complete all required staff training. 
• Work a minimum of 8 out of 9 weeks of our summer programming (from 6/24-8/23).

Minimum Qualifications:

• We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are committed to and have a passion for working with youth. These individuals must also have a passion for living and working outdoors. 
• Wilderness First Responder and CPR certifications are required upon start date.
• Experience leading youth in an outdoor setting. Strong preference given to those who have led multi-night wilderness expeditions.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
• Ability to constantly work in an outdoor setting, including but not limited to: rain, winds, heat, humidity, and cold temperatures. 
• Ability to care for a group of youth for an extended period of time in the outdoors (5-11 days).
• Ability to carry weights up to 60 pounds and participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity, including but not limited to: camping, sea kayaking, backpacking, climbing, ropes course.
• Ability to move across varied terrain for the full duration of the work period.
• Comfort in and around a marine environment.
  • Experience or ability to learn and lead Rippleffect specific programs and offerings.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of participants while managing group conflict resolution and behavioral management.
  • Applicants must be open minded, flexible, and possess a growth-mindset. Understand that this job is as demanding as it is gratifying and may require personal lifestyle adjustments. Overnight and weekend availability is required.
• Strong preference will be given to applicants:
• Staff that will commit to multiple seasons
• Registered Maine Sea Kayak & Recreation Guides
• ACA coastal kayak instructors or equivalent BCU
• SPI Certification

*Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions about your qualifications for this position!*

Compensation — Guide pay range is $140 to $160 per day. We also provide workers’ compensation insurance, equipment discounts and high quality staff training. Possible additional compensation for Single Pitch Instructors, or equivalent.

Training — Rippleffect provides a $40/day training stipend. Guides are conditionally hired until they have satisfactorily demonstrated all necessary skills during training. 

Duration —Per Diem work mid-June through late August at minimum. Motivated and interested candidates may have the opportunity to work with our community partners May – June and then August – early November. Scheduled hours are directly correlated to our enrollment and community contracts.

Contact — The Rippleffect Team email:  [email protected]; phone: (207) 791-7870