Climbing Instructor
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Office/Department: Outdoor Program |
Supervisor: OP Director |
Department Head: OP Program Director |
Starting Wage: Minimum Wage + $0.25 for returning employees |
POSITION PURPOSE
Climbing instructors must teach at least one weekly class (1.5 hrs/wk with another instructor) or clinic (1-3 hrs/wk usually by self) lasting. A climbing instructor’s goal is to teach climbing skills and identifying/managing inherent risk. Beginning climbing instructors teach top-rope climbing, basic knots, basic equipment, sport anchors, and sometimes rappelling/cleaning anchors and leading. Intermediate climbing instructors teach lead climbing and belaying, building and cleaning sport anchors and multi-pitch climbing. Outdoor climbing instructors will usually lead 1-2 SSRA trips per semester, and are qualified to lead OP climbing trips (speak to Outdoor Program Assistant Director)
All Climbing Center Staff will hold the following qualifications
Full-time student
Have and maintain good academic standing
Current CPR, AED and First Aid Certifications
Top Rope Climb and Belay certification at the Climbing Center
Abile to work with others where safety is of utmost concern
Abile to cope with diversified responsibility
Project a positive and professional image
Function on the job with limited supervision
Willingness to commit to the position for the semester
Will find an authorized substitute for a shift if they cannot work. Failure to work a shift or find a replacement will result in loss of pro-purchase privileges and could result in loss of job.
Familiarity with the Outdoor Program and Climbing Center preferred
Principal Responsibilities
- Be ready to start class on time (usually requires arriving about 15 minutes in advance to prepare) and clean up your materials when finished.
- Be confident in your teaching so students trust the material.
- Track individual students’ abilities and the class average so you can present appropriate material.
- Present interesting, fun, and innovative lesson plans. Bring in pictures, readings, and stories to make climbing become alive and real to your students.
- Enforce the posted rules for the climbing wall.
- In general, keep the Climbing Center organized
- Record your class attendance and update your curriculum checklist (located in your manila folder in the black box).
- At the end of the semester, give students class evaluations.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Training
All Instructors
- Current First Aid and CPR certification
- Effectively, accurately, and enthusiastically teach all elements of SSRA climbing classes
- Establish a rapport with students.
- Work with and constructively supervise peers.
- Comfortably lead 5.9 or harder sport routes
Indoor Instructors
- Successfully pass CWI (Climbing Wall Instructor) Course OR Advanced Climbing Course
Outdoor Instructors
- Successfully pass Advanced Climbing OR CWI with Outdoor Training (one weekend training with LIT position on a trip)
- Whitman van driver certification.
- Knowledge of local climbing areas (Vantage and Spring Mountain at least)
MEETING/TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
- All staff training at the start of each semester.
- Monthly meetings for all climbing staff.
Staff Application
Whitman College Climbing Center Staff General Application
Copy and paste application into a document, complete and return completed form to:
Brien Sheedy Outdoor Program Director (Reid Campus Center Room 209)
What position(s) are you applying for?
Desk Staff
Indoor Instructor
Outdoor Instructor
Wall Technician
Crank Organizer
Climbing Center Manager
Climbing Center Equipment Manager
Applicant Name:____________________
Application Date:___________________ Student ID number:_____________________________
Birthdate: _________________________ Email:_______________________________________
Phone:____________________________ Year in School:________________________________
Local Address:______________________ Home Address:_______________________________
City, State Zip:______________________ City, State Zip:_______________________________
Have you held a position at Whitman before? Yes No
Are you a Washington State resident? Yes No
Are you on work study? Yes No
Please answer the following questions electronically or on a separate sheet of paper.
- Current First Aid Certifications: ___________________________________________
(First Aid, CPR, WFR, etc.)
- SSRA Climbing classes you have completed or are enrolled in:
Beginning Climbing 138
Intermediate Climbing 238
Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI) 248
Advanced Climbing Systems 387
Improvised Rock Rescue 338
- Current Climbing Center Certifications:
Top Rope Climbing and Belay
Lead Climb and Belay
Boulder Route Setter
Vertical Route Setter
- Have you taken Whitman’s defensive driving training?
- List related certifications (i.e. AMGA SPI), formal training, or other qualifications applicable to this position.
- Why should we hire you for this position? What sets you apart from other qualified applicants?
- Work Availability
Desired number of hours per week: ______
Can you work a weekend shift? (Friday 12-6, Saturday 2-6, and Sunday 2-6): ______
- Other comments:
- List previous applicable work experience, paid or volunteer:
(1)
Position Employer Dates employed
Supervisor’s Name Phone Reason for leaving
(2)
Position Employer Dates employed
Supervisor’s Name Phone Reason for leaving
(3)
Position Employer Dates employed
Supervisor’s Name Phone Reason for leaving
Please submit a resume including your technical skills and photocopies of certifications.
Outdoor Climbing Instructor Applicants: Include a climbing log detailing your outdoor leads with the following information: date, location, route name, rating, # of pitches, sport vs. trad . You must have at least twenty 5.8 or harder leads to become an outdoor instructor.