Camp Caldera Challenge Course Assistant

At Caldera, we believe in the power of creativity. Our mission is to inspire and support youth from underserved rural and urban communities by awakening the potential of their creative voice. We do this through a unique fusion of art, environment and mentorship. Our Youth Program provides students from Portland and Central Oregon with long-term relationships with caring adults, which nurtures individual creativity, beginning in sixth grade and continuing into young adulthood. Caldera has a $5M budget, a 18-member board, 21 full-time year-round employees, and a range of seasonally contracted artists and staff. Its administrative office is located in Portland, Oregon, and its Arts Center is located outside of Sisters in Central Oregon.Position Title: Challenge Course AssistantSupervisor: Adventure SupervisorFULL TIME Typical days are 8 hours in length, with sessions that make for up to 10 straight days of work without a full day off. Each staff member will have at least 1 night off per session.Work Location: Sisters, ORCompensation: Salary/Rate of Pay: $105/day, with 1% increase for each year of experience working at Camp Caldera (not to exceed 7%)Training Salary/Rate of Pay: $75/dayRoom and board provided during days with programming; room only during non-programming days. A light dinner will be provided on staff arrival days. Brunch is served on the last day of each session.Position Description:This position will be a part of Camp Caldera's Adventure Team. The Challenge Course Assistant supports the Challenge Course Facilitator in the daily operations of the course's eight low elements and three high elements. This role involves assisting in the setup, maintenance, and facilitation of activities while ensuring participant safety, engagement, and enjoyment. The Challenge Course Assistant will work closely with participants, instructors, and other team members to provide a positive, educational, and challenging experience for individuals and groups.Primary Duties and Responsibilities:GROUP INSTRUCTION (75% OF TIME DEDICATED)Assist in preparing and inspecting challenge course equipmentMonitor participants during activities to ensure they are following safety guidelines and protocols.Provide on-the-ground support during activities, offering encouragement and helping participants navigate challenges.Respond to any safety concerns or emergencies as directed by lead staff.COURSE MAINTENANCE (15% OF TIME DEDICATED)Assist with group debriefs, offering insights into team dynamics and individual progress.Help with the setup and teardown of courses and equipment.Conduct routine checks on challenge course elements to ensure they are in good working condition.Assist with equipment inventory and organization.Provide encouragement and positive reinforcement throughout the experience.Assist with administrative tasks related to the challenge courseCAMP SUPPORT (10% OF TIME DEDICATED)Alert supervisor to relevant camper issuesPromote program understanding and involvement through Caldera's goals and agreements, participation agreement, and responsibility processActively participate in all aspects of camp life including: camper orientation, community meetings, evening activities, campfire, free time, etc.Model appropriate camper behavior at all timesPerform duties with consistency and integritySet and respect personal boundaries while acting as mentors, guides, and allies to campersOversee health and safety of charges in fire drills and emergency proceduresMaintain cleanliness of living and common areas and help with clean-up at the end of each sessionRequirementsRequired Qualifications:At least two years of previous experience in outdoor recreation, adventure programming, or similar rolesStrong communication skills and experience facilitating groups of youthHigh degree of flexibility and adaptability to rapidly changing situationsAbility to understand our racially diverse student population's perspective, either through lived experience, previous qualifications, or work experienceAbility to navigate through potentially triggering and challenging conversations and situations while maintaining focus on the wellbeing of youthAbility to discreetly and effectively handle information of a confidential or sensitive natureAbility to set appropriate boundaries in a proactive and positive mannerMust pass a background check. Caldera considers systemic injustices when investigating findingsWillingness to live in a camp setting and work irregular and long hours. Additionally, you must have the ability to deal with limited cell and internet service and daily exposure to outdoor factors such as sun, heat, bugs, bats, snakes, etc.Familiarity with culturally responsive and anti-oppression frameworks and experience working with racially and ethnically diverse staff and youthFamiliarity with social-emotional learning and/or restorative justice principles and tactics to support youth growth in that areaCPR and First Aid certification highly preferredBilingual and/or bicultural skills highly desiredJob Requirements:Serve as mandatory reporter, working with Youth Impact Manager to report instances or suspicion of child abuse. Caldera has a zero tolerance policy around child abuse, and any negligence will result in immediate dismissalRequires on-site living in shared staff quartersAlcohol and drugs are not permitted on campus, even in personal living quarters.Must be physically able to move around 116 acres of camp property with varied terrainMust have visual, perceptual, and cognitive ability to recognize and respond quickly to healthand safety concerns of students and appropriately re-direct any behavior that is misaligned with Caldera agreementsEmployees must carry out their duties regardless of inclement weather, which can include but is not limited to, heat, rain, wind, cold, and smoky or dusty conditions.Moments of quiet and non-activity are few and spread outCreating a cohesive staff environment round the clock can be challenging. It is crucial that staff see youth and adults through a strengths-based lens and prioritize creating the best possible youth experience at all times, despite what challenges may arise at the staff levelPhysical Demands (which can include bending, stooping, hiking, climbing and stretching) are: 5% Sitting, 45% Standing, 20% Walking, 30% Lifting/Carrying/Pushing/Pulling Pounds 5 -80 lbs.To Apply:Please also submit a reference, ideally from each of the following categories: a youth service organization, a family member, and one other professional reference. All applications must contain a resume and completion of the screening questions. All materials are reviewed and considered as part of the hiring process.Application Deadline: May 15, 2026Salary Description