Climbing Coordinator

Keystone Science School

Job Title: Seasonal Climbing Coordinator
Department: Summer Programs   
Reports to: Adventure Program Manager
Supervises: KSS Summer Program Climbing Programming
Housing Available: Availability Dependent
Start Date: May 13th, 2024

About Keystone Science School

With the outdoors as a backdrop for learning, Keystone Science School inspires curiosity and critical thinking through the lens of science to change lives and strengthen communities. KSS offers a variety of adventure and traditional camp activities within a structured environment designed to allow each camper and participant to understand their potential. In all programs, campers and participants will create lifelong friendships, explore and learn about the natural world, and gain leadership and wilderness skills.  For more information go to keystonescienceschool.org 

With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with raised consciousness in order to impact how we work with clients, as well as how we work together as a team. 

Position Overview

The Seasonal Climbing Coordinator is a six month position responsible for the successful implementation of Keystone Science School’s Programs rock climbing. The Seasonal Climbing Coordinator will share responsibility with the Program Managers for the day-to-day climbing operations, and will be responsible for logistics coordination of all climbing programming with support from Program Managers. The Seasonal Climbing Coordinator will maintain a high standard of safety and excellence of KSS climbing programming across program areas . As part of the Programs team, the Seasonal Climbing Coordinator will oversee logistics, help the manager organize and systems, serve as a point of contact for staff, collaborate with other administrative staff, support program needs as they arise, and assist in coaching and mentoring seasonal staff. The Seasonal Climbing Coordinator will also be responsible as part of an on-call system, with the Seasonal Adventure Logistics Coordinator, to fill an instructor role as necessary for successful programming. 
 
Our tagline Science. Adventure. Fun! summarizes what we seek in our employees: passionate about our work, willing to seek adventure, and take risks to improve KSS, and able to laugh along the way. We work hard so we can play hard!  

The job duties of this position are performed personally, in cooperation with your supervisor, and/or in coordination with other staff. Additional work functions and duties may be assigned.

Job Duties

The main areas of focus for this position are:  

• 60% Logistics and Planning 
• 20% Staff Coaching and Mentorship 
• 20% In-field Responsibilities

Logistics and Planning 

• Work with Program Managers to develop and improve climbing program systems and improve staff training and use of climbing equipment systems;
• Work with Program Managers to oversee, plan, and improve staff climbing training and programming implementation;
• Maintain high standards of health and safety, and follow Risk Management policies in all rock climbing activities;  
• Maintain the KSS climbing SOP up to and exceeding industry standards of safety according to the AMGA standards, American Camp Association Standards, and Colorado state  licensing; 
• Drive a 15-passenger van and successfully complete Van Driver Training;  
• Successfully complete Trailer Training and Drive a 15-passenger van pulling a trailer;
• Support the Program Managers to manage the climbing budget, including management of a credit card and gear purchasing oversight;
• Work with the Program Managers and Coordinators to prepare instructors and necessary gear for all climbing programming;
• Manage climbing gear use, maintenance, and tracking across three simultaneous program areas throughout the summer

Staff Mentorship and Coaching

• Work with Adventure Manager to plan and implement a scaffolded climbing training for Climbing Instructors and Site Managers;
• Responsible for checking staff off on required skills that they demonstrate competency in;
• Act as the bridge between seasonal staff and administrative staff to monitor KSS staff culture and strive to meet staff needs; 
• Provide direct coaching and mentorship to Instructors on how to implement and manage climbing programming;
• Act as afterhours “on-call” administrative staff to assist in emergencies on a rotating basis;  
• Support the Program Managers and Human Resources in the performance evaluation process for program staff;
• Gather program logistics and systems feedback from seasonal staff;
• Develop and facilitate staff training with support from the Program Manager   

In-field Responsibilities

• Act as an on-call staff member to assist in an instructor role as needed in the field;
• On a rotational basis, be available to assist in student/staff evacuations as necessary
• Assist climbing programs in field as necessary, and provide continuing education and management of field staff on climbing programs; 
• Provide climbing program oversight and staff evaluation on a ongoing basis in the field

Professional Performance  

• Adhere to all Personnel Policies and Procedures for the organization.
• Maintain professional standards of performance, demeanor, and appearance at all times; act as a “role model” both at and away from the organization.
• Maintain a creative, team-building approach to job performance and seek to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasks.
• Perform all tasks and responsibilities with attention to detail and in a complete and timely manner, complying with organization policies and standards and conforming to the scheduling requirements of the job and program.
• Maintain an awareness of the organization’s mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodies.
• Exercise discretion and professional judgment at all times keeping with the responsibilities carried personally and by the organization for the care and welfare of the clients; act with honesty and integrity in all aspects of organization business.
• Actively strive to upgrade professional skills through engaging in appropriate professional training and experience.
• Actively strive to create and maintain a culturally sensitive, justice-centered and appropriate environment through communication and interaction that demonstrates respect for diversity, socio-economic and cultural differences and that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.

Other duties as assigned.  

Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – Minimum Requirements  

• Exceptional Leadership skills and ability to mentor program staff; 
• Have an understanding of mobile adventure trip logistics systems, and the ability to adapt systems to the program goals as necessary; 
• Experience with risk management as it pertains to outdoor education and youth rock climbing programming;  
• Strong work ethic and will work until the job is complete;   
• Motivation to contribute positively to the KSS at-large community;   
• Multi-task efficiently while managing a high-volume workload in a fast-paced, changing environment;   
• Strong command of communication, writing, and organizational skills;   
• Effectively interact with people of diverse backgrounds and different levels of experience;   
• Ability to work in a variety of locations within Colorado and some work outside of Colorado; 
• Ability to work in a busy environment with many distractions;   
• Superior customer service skills, with the ability to be creative and think 'outside the box'   
• Have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with children;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including days, nights, and weekends;  

  
Required education, experience, and certifications:  

• AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Certification is a requirement for this position;
• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR certifications, from an approved vendor before the start of employment;
• Minimum of  6 months experience in adventure education; 
• Equipment familiarity with all aspects of outdoor sport climbing, and industry standards of equipment life, appropriate use, maintenance requirements, and storage best practices
• This includes, but is not limited to: 
• Harnesses 
• Helmets 
• Dynamic and static rope 
• Belay devices 
• Slings and webbing 
• Quickdraws 
• Strong ability to manage groups of youth in climbing situations is a requirement for this position; 
• Ability to lift 50 pounds and hike steep terrain with climbing equipment; 
• Excellent driving record and a valid driver's license; Candidates age 20+ with a minimum of 4 years driving experience will be required to participate in and pass Van Driver Training, and they will be required to drive a 15-passenger van;   
• Must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive background check.  

  
Preferred Skills 

• Ability to guide staff on decision making regarding changing logistics in the field;
• Experience with teaching advanced climbing skills to program staff and field professionals;
• Familiarity with climbing crags associated with the KSS climbing program is a plus but not required
• Prior experience working with school-age children: at least three (3) months (460 hours) of full-time or equivalent part-time satisfactory and verifiable experience with school-age children;  
• Ability to communicate verbally and teach in Spanish; 
• Previous experience driving with a trailer; 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) and Adobe;  
• Proficiency with Google Drive, and experience with Gearlog software;
• Extensive experience on personal backcountry trips; 
• Work Schedule 
• This is a full-time, seasonal position.  The typical work schedule will require a flexible schedule, including days, nights, and weekends. Average of 40 hours/week ; 80+ during Summer Camp season, weekends and evenings are part of the expected schedule.

Work Environment

This position requires the employee to work in close contact with their teammates.  The office space is small and the employee must have the ability to stay focused while others are working in close proximity.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but varies seasonally due to programs and staffing on campus.  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee while performing the essential functions of this job. 

This position may require traveling to off-site programming locations. In most situations, KSS will provide transportation to off-site programming locations. However, staff may be asked to use personal vehicles to travel within Summit County. Any travel mileage in personal vehicles outside Summit County may be reimbursed.

Salary
$1057.00 per week base rate, 10% increase for Spanish speakers

Travel Expectations:  
In many situations, KSS will provide transportation to satellite programming locations.  However, staff may be asked to use personal vehicles to travel within Summit County. Any travel mileage outside Summit County may be reimbursed.   
  
Housing  
Keystone Science School may provide specified employees housing in Keystone Science School housing facilities to meet programmatic needs. Housing is not guaranteed for all employees and is dependent on housing availability.

KSS staff housing is in rustic cabins, some of which are over 100 years old. Employees can expect to have multiple roommates and tight living quarters as well as a shared kitchen, bathroom, laundry, shower, and common spaces. 

Housing is offered on a first-come-first-served basis according to housing availability at the time of the start date. The Housing fee is $200 per month. 

Physical Requirements 

• Able to work a majority of the time outside at high altitude in varying conditions including uneven and slick terrain and unpredictable weather and situations. 
• Physically able to assist participants with recreation equipment during activities.
• Able to lift a minimum of 75 lbs. with assistance.
• Dexterity, auditory and visual acuity to operate computers and phones or mobile devices.
• Auditory and visual acuity to interact with guests, students, clients on a daily basis.
• Able to successfully manage multiple, high priority tasks in a fast-paced and often times crowded and noisy environment.