Join Our Team
Sierra Experience Adventure Guide
About Gateway Mountain Center
Gateway Mountain Center brings together the transformative power of human connection and nature immersion to help young people learn, heal, and thrive.
About Sierra Experience
Sierra Experience offers nature immersion experiences to young people to open their hearts and minds to the natural world. We partner with schools, community groups, and youth organizations to offer trailblazing environmental education, including field science, outdoor adventures, mindfulness practices, and customized personal development. Young people learn to cultivate knowledge and curiosity about the natural world as they develop their whole selves, forge their own growth, and build connections.
About the Opportunity
We are seeking an organized and skilled individual to join our team as a Lodge Cook for Youth Programs. In this role, you will support Sierra Experience programs via cooking breakfast, dinner and dessert, creating menus via assessing dietary restrictions, and maintaining a clean/well stocked kitchen, while contributing to the overall success of Gateway Mountain Center’s mission.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Team Collaboration:
Emphasize hospitality, the 4Roots method, environmental education, social-emotional learning, and responsibility to risk management expectations throughout programming and team communication.
Join meetings as scheduled to review program information before attending.
Join debrief meetings and aid in creating a positive portal for feedback.
Field Communication:
Utilize SLACK app for real-time updates & check-ins with field staff and admin.
Make real-time decisions about changes in honor of risk mitigation, commitment to equitable access/success of participants and/or overall participant experience.
Communicate with SE Leadership staff immediately if/when itinerary changes and/or issues arise.
Participant Communication:
Host a fun and engaging space for all participants.
Ensure commitment to creating a space of equitable comfort, access and success for all participants.
Compassionately communicate Behavior Agreements with participants who are struggling.
Facilitate guiding and instructional services to groups in support of the client's specific
goals as described during production meetings with SE Leadership beforehand.
Communicate with teachers/chaperones/guardians who are supporting & working with your group.
Utilize DEI practices when communicating with youth regarding alpine skills and needs.
Demonstrate personal self-awareness concerning professional language, sharing personal bias/opinion/beliefs and awareness of diversity/equity/inclusion.
Guiding:
Demonstrate exceptional attention to risk mitigation regarding travel in alpine terrain.
Review youth preparation and facilitate introductory announcements before entering new spaces including boundaries, group commitments/sound off, name games and fielding questions.
Facilitate check-ins throughout the day to gauge the success, engagement and energy of the group.
Facilitate closing circle style reviews at the end of each guiding session.
Demonstrate exceptional facilitation of GMC 4Roots curriculum and scientific inquiry methods.
Communicate professionally with any contractors or public who interact with your groups.
Work hard to apply Leave No Trace principles within your groups, teams and locations.
Be mindful of keeping groups collected, polite and aware of their use & footprint in spaces
Demonstrate commitment to always learning and always growing in regards to attending training opportunities and personal development learning about natural sciences & outdoor recreation.
Maintain required certifications and training renewals.
Requirements:
GMC is in search of individuals who exemplify our core values: Professional, Positive Attitude, Authentic, Heroic Compassion, Always- Learning, Values Nature.
Current CPR & Wilderness First Aid (or higher medical certification).
Ability to pass a Department of Justice background check.
Interest and/or experience working with youth and/or groups.
A personal drive to improve skills/ knowledge concerning working with youth in alpine terrain.
Preferred:
Experience guiding outdoor activities with youth, especially in technical or alpine terrain.
Experience facilitating curriculum to youth groups.
Bi-lingual Spanish speaker.
Reference Checks: The company reserves the right to conduct background investigations and/or reference checks on all of its potential employees. Your job offer, therefore, is contingent upon a clearance of such a background investigation and/or reference check, if any.
Benefits and Wages:
$20-$25.00 per hour depending on college degree, credentials, certifications, and/or experience.
Part-time benefits: cell phone reimbursement, discounts & professional development opportunities.
FLSA and Employment Status:
Non-exempt/Part-Time.
Order 5 Camp Counselors:
Overtime rates apply for Camp Guiding/Management after 54 hrs or more than 6 days in a workweek or 24 consecutive hrs. No daily overtime.
In an emergency, employees may work over 54 hours or more than six days in a workweek and must be paid not less than one and one-half times employee's regular rate of pay for all such excess hours.
How to Apply: Applicants can apply online or send your resume & cover letter to programs@sierraexperience.org
Equal Opportunity Employer: Gateway Mountain Center is an equal opportunity employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.