Westminster University
Alumni Trip Leader
PRN (not regularly scheduled; non-benefited status)
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Alumni Trip Leader works in the Outdoor Programs, assisting with training and mentoring student trip leaders, or leading more complex trips. The Alumni Trip Leader is expected to work closely with directors and their leader team to plan, prepare for, and implement their trip. Leading trips requires a great deal of responsibility as it involves driving vehicles, making safety and risk management decisions, and being faced with nuanced situations in the field - mostly independent of outside guidance. It also requires training, certifications, and experience.
Leaders always work in teams, and the team is expected to support one another, give, receive, implement feedback, and debrief after the experience to highlight learning and next steps. Trip leaders are also expected to be inclusive and allow the space and opportunity for anyone who wants to be involved to get involved. Alumni trip leaders are a key part of our peer-mentor training system and elevate the trips program.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design, plan, prepare, implement, and debrief outdoor trips for the campus community.
- Know and implement emergency and incident procedures.
- Maintain frequent and effective communication with other leaders.
- Support a safe learning environment both physically and emotionally.
- Support the goals of the program, trip, students, and co-leaders.
- Implement group management skills including conflict resolution, group inclusiveness, team building, etc.
- Actively manage inherent risks.
- Role model outstanding outdoor skills, self-care, professionalism, and respect.
- Drive vehicles with students as passengers when necessary and adhere to college van policies.
- Positively represent Westminster as an ambassador for the school.
- Debrief each trip with directors and leader team.
- Create and maintain overall vision for the trip including necessary logistical planning, progression, basic itinerary, and curriculum with input from other trip leaders.
- Coordinate and facilitate pre-trip meetings.
- Delegate appropriate responsibilities to co-leaders.
- Mentor new leaders in a growth-oriented way.
- Facilitate conversations with co-leaders about roles specific to each leader's strengths and experience.
- Ensure that all paperwork is complete and returned to program directors (logs, incident reports, etc.).
- Ensure all equipment is accounted for, operable (or repairs needed are reported), clean, dry, and returned to the designated area.
- Rely on co-leaders and program directors to make significant decisions. All leaders need to be a part of those decisions and support each other in their creation.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
- Regular travel throughout the year and/or at specified times of the year will be required.
- Valid driver's license and successful DMV check required.
- Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch required.
- Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds is required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications:
- Recent graduate, or at least 1 year of experience in the field.
- Field experience to effectively mentor a student leader; able to assist with equipment planning and prep, group management, transportation, and can effectively teach most of the field topics with lead time and coaching.
- Industry standard training/ certifications and/ or experience to independently manage a group in the terrain (for example, SPI for single pitch climbing or top roping).
- Mentoring skills.
- Leadership skills.
- Hold a current U.S. driver's license.
- Hold a First Aid certification - Be familiar with first aid kit contents and their use within scope of practice and certification level.
- Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Wilderness First Aid or higher level of wilderness medicine certification
Essential Requirements:
- Valid Driver's License: A current and valid driver's license must be always maintained during employment.
- Proof of Insurance: The employee must provide and maintain proof of personal auto insurance that meets Westminster's minimum coverage requirements.
- Mileage Reimbursement: Westminster reimburses mileage at the standard IRS mileage rate.
- Driving Record: Employment is contingent upon maintaining a satisfactory driving record as determined by a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check.
- Compliance with Laws: The employee must comply with all local, state, and federal traffic laws while performing job-related driving duties.
- Liability & Accidents: Employees must report any accidents, traffic violations, or license suspensions that occur while driving for work-related purposes. Employee is responsible for any expense related to traffic violations, or license suspensions that occur while driving for work-related purposes.
- Job-Related Travel Costs: Expenses related to tolls, parking, and other job-related travel costs will be reimbursed according to company policy.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Westminster
University is committed to a diversified workforce, equal opportunity, and
nondiscrimination. To this end, Westminster prohibits any form of
discrimination or harassment based on race or ethnicity, color, religion,
national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identification,
disabilities, genetic information, status as a veteran, or any other category
or classification protected by applicable federal, state, or city laws.