Summer Instructor

SROM is looking for motivated servant leaders to guide outdoor education and wilderness adventure summer trips in the Rocky Mountains.

Instructor Qualifications

  • High proficiency in two of the following areas: Rock Climbing, Backpacking, Mountaineering Proficiency Descriptions
  • 21 years of age
  • Current or past leadership position in ministry for at least 2 years
  • Two summer commitment
  • Successful completion of SROM’s Instructor Training (usually starts the third week in May)
  • Minimum Wilderness First Aid, and CPR medical certification (SROM usually hosts a WFA and CPR course prior to Instructor Training in May. A WFR Certification course may also be available for interested persons.)

Successful Personality Characteristics

Servant leader, self starter, humility, initiative, thoroughness, recognizing and meeting a need, team player, spiritual and emotional maturity, good communication skills, attention to detail, respect, problem solving skills, fast learner, teachable.

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Pay and Housing

  • Your total pay will be based upon your SROM Rubric evaluation. SROM will partner with you for this salary. SROM will pay for half and you will raise support for the other half. For example, an average instructor's salary is $2400 for the summer. SROM would pay $1200 and you would raise support for the other $1200. SROM will provide you with tools and information for support-raising that the full time administrative staff use to raise their salaries.
  • SROM will work to find home stays for provide room and board (in addition to your salary)
  • Instructors will be required to pay for any medical certification they acquire through SROM

Application Process

  • SROM must receive a completed application and all three letters of reference to considered an applicant
  • New applicants will not be interviewed before January 1
  • Qualifying applicants will be interviewed by phone
  • Secondary interviews may be conducted by the Board of Director's Operations Committee

Additional Information

  • All instructors are required to carry personal medical insurance throughout the summer
  • Full medical disclosure and a physical are required

Time Commitment

  • Approximately May 15 through August 20
  • Up to 10 days in the field at a time
  • 24 hour days in the field (5a.m. - 11p.m.)
  • 10 hour days at head quarters
  • 40-80 hours per week
  • Must be your only commitment

Skills for Proficiency

Climbing

  • Knots: Clove hitch, figure 8 with follow through, 8 on a byte, water knot, fisherman's knot, bowline, bowline on a coil, square knot, truckers hitch. Prussic with: rope, cord, webbing
  • Rescue: dulfersitz, alpine clutch, swami belts, escaping a belay, rappel with person on back
  • Anchors: Can set up top rope system using combinations of natural pro and bolts; both equalized or directional/static; no mistakes or marginal placements; can teach anchor set-up
  • Pro placement: Can critically analyze other people's placements; rarely makes a poor placement; can usually remove placements easily; can place Cams, nuts, and hexes well; familiar with opposing placements; can make tape gloves
  • Leading: Sport 9 (YDS) and Traditional 8 (YDS)
  • Multi-pitch: rope management, anchor management, student placement, commands, time management, gear emergencies, medical emergencies

Mountaineering

  • Ice ax use: Standard self-arrest; face first arrest; head first, upside down arrest
  • Belay and anchor set ups: boot-ax belay, picket, deadman/flute, bollard, T anchors, horizontal picket anchors
  • Snow travel skills (non glacier): Can recognize good snow conditions; when to travel; what to avoid; resting and stops; how to arrange the students spatially when moving; pace; how to deal with rocks, trees, or other large objects in the snow field; mixed areas; signs of loose rock above; roped team travel; snow condition awareness; crampon use; down climb snow
  • Leading: can lead 30° to 45° roped climb on snow
  • Anchors: Can set up the three point anchor with three solid placements; can use three of the following: ice ax, picket, dead man, screws, clothes
  • High altitude physiology/ acclimatization: AMS signs, the amount of extra water needed

Backpacking

  • Wilderness travel skills: Knows tent site selection, cooking, pace, rest step, river crossing, layering, packing, cross country travel, tarp set-up, expedition travel versus fast and light
  • Map reading and orienteering: Topo reading, declination, compass use, triangulation, other methods to find self on a map
  • Hydration and nutrition: How much food per person, per day; how much water; amounts of fats, proteins, carbs; what food constitutes what (of the above); how to check hydration (pee and pinch test); signs of dehydration or malnutrition; conditions and situations to be aware of pertaining to hydration and nutrition emergencies

Leave No Trace Ethics

  • Be able to teach and implement the seven LNT principles in the varying ecosystems where SROM operates:
    • Plan Ahead and Prepare
    • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
    • Dispose of Waste Properly
    • Leave What You Find
    • Minimize Campfire Impacts
    • Respect Wildlife
    • Be Considerate of Other Visitors
  • Understand the Biblical basis for an underlying Christian ethic of stewardship of creation.

Please download and complete the Employment Application