Wilderness School Seasonal Instructor(On-site)

Wilderness School Seasonal Instructor On-site Recruitment #260218-4038VR-001

Location: East Hartland, CT Date Opened: 2/23/2026 12:00:00 AM Salary: *See introduction below for details Job Type: Seasonal/Summer Close Date: Continuous Recruitment Go Back Apply View Benefits

Introduction

Do you enjoy working outdoors and mentoring the youth to foster positive development? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you! The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) - Wilderness School, is accepting applications for multiple seasonal Wilderness School Seasonal Instructor positions.

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF), Wilderness School offers high impact wilderness programs intended to foster positive youth development. The Wilderness School is a prevention, intervention and transition program intended to assist our students to develop self‐esteem, internal locus of control and interpersonal skills. Designed as a journey experience, our program is based upon the philosophies of experiential learning and is considered therapeutic for the participant.

Studies have documented the Wilderness School impact upon the self-esteem, increased locus of control (personal responsibility), and interpersonal skill enhancement of adolescents attending the program. The Wilderness School base camp is located in East Hartland, Connecticut in the north-central part of the state. For more information about the program and location please visit us at the DCF Wilderness School webpage.

DCF Wilderness School is currently recruiting for up to twenty-eight (28) Wilderness School Seasonal Instructors. The anticipated start date for these positions will begin April 6, 2026 and end on/or before November 12, 2026. Preferences will be given to candidates that have the requirements listed in the position below.

Position Hours (Shifts) will vary according to the duties of the position. Assignments for the seasonal positions and per diem rates (minimum and maximum):

Lead Expedition Instructor: $184.45 to $246.97 Expedition Instructor: $171.10 to $233.10 Base Camp Instructor: $133.82 to $185.85 Logistics/Climbing Instructor (Base Camp): $133.82 to $185.85

Recruitment for these positions will be ongoing with varying start/end dates. Minimum and maximum per diem rates will be subject to the following criteria: Returning Seasonal instructors may receive a 3% incremental increase for each season of service up to the maximum rate.

About the Department of Children and Families:

Caring, healing and teaching -partnering with children, families and communities to build hope and create opportunities. We believe that:

Children and adolescents with serious emotional disorders can lead productive and satisfying lives. Children, youth and their families have the right and responsibility to participate in their treatment. No child will be refused treatment based on their ability to pay for services. Our services work best when integrated with community care.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.

Resume Policy:

Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.

Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.

Timely Submission:

All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

Salary Calculations:

For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

Referral Questions:

This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

Prepare For An Interview:

Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!

Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions.

If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Rocky Young at Rocky.Young@ct.gov

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Children and Families Wilderness School as a limited duration employee performs instructor tasks and assigned duties of a seasonal nature.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Lead Expedition Instructor:

• Functions as the team leader for assigned expeditions;
• Responsible for the overall safety and risk management of all participants;
• Supervises and leads groups of up to ten students during the 20-Day, 8-Day or 5-Day Expedition;
• Provides skills instruction in backpacking, wilderness camping, map and compass, flat water and white water canoeing, rock climbing and rappelling, first aid, nutrition, personal hygiene and ecology;
• Provides small group and individual counseling for adolescents of varying backgrounds;
• Facilitates interpersonal skill development for students;
• Supervises all course activities;
• Conducts Orientation programs for students, families, and referring agencies;
• Attends summer staff training as required;
• Completes all course reporting in a timely manner;
• Leads 1-Day courses for groups as available;
• Performs related duties as required.

Expedition Instructor:

• Responsible for the safety and risk management of all Expedition program participants;
• Supervises and leads groups of up to ten students during the 20-Day, 8-Day or 4-Day Expedition;
• Provides skills instruction in backpacking, wilderness camping, map and compass, flat water and white water canoeing, rock climbing and rappelling, first aid, nutrition, personal hygiene and ecology;
• Provides small group and individual counseling for adolescents of varying backgrounds;
• Facilitates interpersonal skill development for students;
• Supervises all course activities;
• Conducts Orientation programs for students, families, and referring agencies;
• Attends summer staff training as required;
• Completes all course reporting in a timely manner;
• Leads 1-Day courses for groups as available;
• Performs related duties as required.

Base Camp Instructor:

• Responsible for the safety and risk management of all one-day course participants;
• Leads hiking, canoeing and team-building one day programs, including Orientation, Outreach, DCF Prevention and Adolescent Services as well as adult Leadership and Communication programs;
• Assists in the supervision of students engaged in field activities;
• Attends summer staff training as required;
• Conducts base camp officer of the day/back-up duties as required;
• May be assigned as an Expedition Instructor as needed;
• Performs related duties as required.

Logistics/Climbing Instructor (Base Camp):

• Supervises and instructs rock climbing and high ropes course activities;
• Provides base camp support to groups engaged in field activities;
• Transports students, staff, supplies and materials to and from local course areas;
• Conducts equipment issue, repair, maintenance, and inventory duties;
• Attends summer staff training as required;
• Performs base camp officer of the day/back-up duties as required;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Expedition experience required for Lead Instructors and preferred for Expedition and Base Camp Instructors; group facilitation skills; youth work experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Bachelors Degree is preferred. Professional level training and work experience as an Experiential Educator may be considered in lieu of Bachelors Degree. Examples: Greenfield Community College Outdoor Leadership Program Certificate, National Outdoor Leadership School course completion, Outward Bound School course completion, or comparable significant experience as an Outdoor Education Professional or corresponding professional experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class