Instructor, Voyageur Program

National Cathedral School (NCS) seeks an outdoor educator with a passion for working with children and young adults as part of the Voyageur Program, a program for students in grades 4 through 12 at NCS and St. Albans School. As a full-time co-curricular offering, the Voyageur Program utilizes on-campus, local, and regional outdoor recreation areas to offer a highly technical outdoor education curriculum focusing on the core components of rock climbing and whitewater kayaking. Instruction occurs during the student day, with additional instruction through off-campus trips during the school year.  This teaching role is a 10-month position, beginning August 2024. A typical school day for this program is 10:00 am – 6:30 pm. 

 Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Pertinent experience and background in outdoor education. 
• A genuine care for and interest in working with elementary and secondary-school age students. 
• Ability to regularly move loads of up to 50 lbs. As a self-sufficient program, moving boats, carrying gear, and completing general equipment maintenance are daily responsibilities that are physically demanding. 
• Talent as a teacher and positive role model. 
• Experience in properly managing a technical skills-based, outdoor education curriculum across a variety of disciplines. 
• A passion for both wilderness and adventure education. 

Outdoor Skills: The two core elements of the Voyageur Program are indoor/outdoor rock climbing and whitewater kayaking. Interested applicants should have significant experience both personally and professionally in at least one of these activities, in addition to an interest and willingness to pursue further skill development in both. Ideal candidates will possess specific knowledge of top rope site management, anchor building, indoor climbing/bouldering instruction, and technical rescue abilities. Experience teaching in up to Class III whitewater is a plus, as is any swift water rescue training. Additional experience in the following areas is also beneficial: backpacking/wilderness travel, leave-no-trace ethics, team building and group initiatives, tandem/solo canoeing, whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. 

Certifications:  

• Wilderness First Responder and CPR (required) 
• Class C Commercial Driver’s License with Passenger endorsement (must hold or obtain) 
• Maryland Top Rope Site Manager Certification or equivalent American Mountain Guides Association Certification (must hold or obtain) 
• American Canoe Association Level 4: Whitewater Kayaking Instructor Certification (must hold or obtain) 

While these certifications are not required at the time of hiring, the new instructor will work with the Program Director to create a reasonable timeline for completion of certifications. 

Interested candidates should send an electronic application to National Cathedral School. Please include a brief cover letter, resume and the names and contact information of three to five references. Please submit all materials together as one combined PDF attachment to NCSEmployment@cathedral.org with “Voyageur Instructor” in the subject line.