Position Description: Youth Development Field Volunteer

Location: San Diego, CA

Reports to: Volunteer Coordinator    

Commitment: 5 trips per year (30-100 hours)

Volunteer Summary

The Youth Development Field Volunteer helps to deepen the impact of Outdoor Outreach programs by connecting with San Diego youth ages 5-20, sharing their knowledge of the outdoors and various outdoor activities. Field Volunteers are hands-on, assisting our instructor team with group management as well as risk management in a variety of outdoor settings.

 

Essential Functions

1. Ability to work in a variety of outdoor settings in a collaborative team environment

2. Ability to actively engage and develop positive relationships with team members, external partners and youth participants

Competencies/Commitment

1. Ability to participate in at least one of Outdoor Outreach’s core activities (Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Camping/Backpacking, Snowboarding, Stand Up Paddle boarding, Sea Kayaking, Surfing, Yoga and Snorkeling) but no skill or competency needed;

2. Field Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 5 trips per year with only 1 individual youth program - for the duration of that programs existence. The idea behind this is to deepen the impact of our programs for participants, by building consistent positive mentorship with adults.

3. Have experience working with youth and in youth development

4. The capacity to attend trips that range from 3 hours to 12 hours (depending on activity), with the potential for some overnight camping trips;

5. A big part of this role is time commitment. If you apply for this position you must be available from 12pm-6pm on at least one weekday for trips

6. Confident engaging with sensitive populations, demonstrating cultural competence and relationship building 

Environment/Physical Demands

This volunteer position operates in the field. While performing the duties of this position, the volunteer is regularly required to be very active and often requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling and climbing during programs. The volunteer must frequently lift and/or move items over 50 pounds. This position also requires individuals to work in a variety of outdoor settings.

Required Qualifications

1. No outdoor experience necessary

2. Experience working with youth and in youth development

3. Minimum of 18 years of age

4. Completion of Field Volunteer application

5. Attend a volunteer orientation 

6. Successful completion of pre-placement LiveScan background check.

 

This Volunteer Description is intended to describe the general nature and level of tasks being performed. It is not meant to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required by this classification.

In order to have volunteers be most useful and beneficial on our trips, we require a basic level of experience in the activity you have selected to volunteer on so the instructors' attention is on teaching the participants rather than training volunteers.

Rock climbing and surfing,  require you to be comfortable with the activity so you don't need to receive much instruction during the trip.

Other activities may require less experience on your part. We strongly encourage volunteers to hone their skills so they can participate in as many of these activities as possible.