Employment
Love the outdoors?! Make it your job at the Outdoor Learning Center! We are now hiring for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025!
Fall season runs late August to mid-November. Spring season runs mid-March to early June.
OLC Instructor (Part- or Full-time, Seasonal)
We are looking for curious, caring, and hardworking staff to lead groups through outdoor education, including environmental education, team building, adventure trips, and more. You’ll develop your skills and love of the outdoors while providing unforgettable experiences for students, scouts, and adult groups.
Apply now to join our outdoor education family and let the adventure begin!
Submit an Interest Form or reach out to us at JoinOLC@horizonsva.com.
Outdoor Learning Center Instructors are responsible for the care and management of groups while delivering high-quality outdoor programming. They are expected to create a positive atmosphere while establishing opportunities for experiential learning and authentic growth for students and clients. Instructors will also be responsible for the logistics before, during, and after the groups’ stay, including preparing program areas, facilitating meals and transitions, developing programming, and cleaning and general maintenance of program areas. Full-time seasonal position, with onsite housing available. Part-time options available, without onsite housing.
JOB DUTIES AND RESONSIBILITES:
- Leads activities in caving, canoeing, climbing, archery, field games, environmental classes and evening programming; facilitates high and low rope courses; inspects equipment throughout use to ensure it meets safety standards
- Supports clients in all aspects; helps clients establish and achieve goals for their experience
- Promotes a safe environment where individuals will feel comfortable challenging themselves
- Responsible for adaptive thinking and problem solving when working with clients
EXPERIENCE:
- 1-year outdoor recreation experience or camp counselor preferred
- Experience working with children preferred (formally or informally)
- Must have experience or comfort with outdoor education, recreation activity, and adventure skills (camping, climbing, paddling, hiking, etc.)
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be 18 and have High School diploma or equivalent
- 21+ preferred, with good driving record and ability to drive a 15-passenger van (training provided)
- Current First Aid and CPR (or WFA/WFR) certifications preferred
- Successful completion of a criminal background check
PERKS:
- Paid, high-quality training
- Pay raise for relevant certifications (Lifeguard, WFA, WFR, etc.)
- Complementary onsite housing for full-time staff available, includes private room and shared amenities, WiFi (Learn more about housing on camp!)
- Meals provided during training and most programs
- Rent camp equipment and use facilities in your free time
- Discounts at related facilities and ProOutdoorLinks.com
- Summer employment and winter housing opportunities
- Returner bonus!
Garden Lead (Full-time, Seasonal)
Garden Lead:
As the Garden lead, you will be providing hands-on learning to students of all ages. With classes ranging from teaching the basics of planting to creating garden art with students, you will teach a fun variety of classes. When you are not teaching, you will help maintain the educational garden, hoop houses, and production garden.
Interested? Have two green thumbs? Please submit an Interest Form or reach out to us at JoinOLC@horizonsva.com.
Nature Lead (Full-time, Seasonal)
Nature Lead:
The OLC Nature Lead is the lead educator for our nature classes, which take place in our nature center, and takes primary responsibility in the cleaning and care of all program supplies for our nature classes. The Nature Lead will also be responsible for the care and well-being of all the animals in our nature center which includes but is not limited to turtles, snakes, lizards, rodents, birds, etc.
Always been obsessed with snakes and turtles? Love observing nature and teaching others cool nature facts about reptiles & amphibians, birds, native plants & trees, and animal adaptations? Fill out an Interest Form or reach out to us at JoinOLC@horizonsva.com.
Support Staff (Part-time, Seasonal)
Seasonal Bus Driver:
Looking for a person with a Commercial Drivers License along with Passenger and Air-Brakes endorsements. This employee will likely get 15-20 hours per week and would need to be available for part-time/seasonal employment through the OLC Spring 2024 season (mid-March through early June). Most transport is local to the Shenandoah Valley region.
Ready to drive those kiddos on a canoeing trip? Fill out an Interest Form or reach out to us at JoinOLC@horizonsva.com.