Mission Statement:

Hemlock Overlook Center for Experiential Education (HOCEE) challenges the members of the global community to better understand themselves, those around them, and their world by using innovative approaches that educate, inspire, and empower.

Position Purpose:

To further the mission of HOCEE through the development and delivery of experiential learning programs. To facilitate cognitive, social and physical challenge activities that are fun and appropriate to clients’ age and abilities. To facilitate the delivery of nature or environmental programs that should be fun and appropriate to clients’ age and abilities and reflect HOCEE’s commitment to stewardship of the natural environment. To teach and guide clients in their personal and group growth, while striving to ensure their physical and emotional safety. Assist in the management of the facilities and equipment.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years old or older
• A high school diploma or its equivalent; Preferred but not required: Bachelor’s degree in related field and/or documented experience and training in experiential education or environmental instruction
• Current certification in first aid and CPR/AED (training provided if needed)
• Provide own transportation to work site at Hemlock Overlook Regional Park in Clifton, VA
• Desire and ability to work with children
• Provide necessary instruction and group management for client groups with varied age and skill levels
• Ability to observe client behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the specific activity and outdoor activities.
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist clients in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of clients
• Physical stamina to stand and walk for extended periods with some climbing (in an overhead environment of 12’-50’), bending, stooping, and stretching. Strength necessary to lift up to 50 lbs and for the physical exertion of supporting another person’s body-weight
• Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate standard challenge equipment and activities
• Desire to learn and grow professionally
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback to and from peer frontline facilitators and supervisors.
• Willingness to work with daily exposure to the sun, heat, rain and other varying environmental conditions.
• Flexible schedule to work some Saturdays
• Commit to a full season

Major Job Functions:

1. Develop and Deliver fun experiential learning and challenge programs to clients to meet clients desired outcomes
   • Evaluate challenge abilities of clients and the development of clients’ skills and abilities
   • Deliver progressive challenge program activities
   • Expand personal pool of activities with new games and initiatives
   • Provide for a progression of activities within the framework of individual and group interests and abilities
   • Develop new processing and debriefing tools to promote transfer of learning
2. Deliver an environmental program that is appropriate for the age and ability of the clients and utilizes HOCEE ’s natural environment
   • Deliver lesson plans that meet the abilities and needs of the clients and encompass environmental studies topics such as geology, wildlife habitat, water studies, and natural history.
   • Implement a variety of age and ability appropriate activities in the above stated environmental areas.
3. Assist in the management and care of the physical facilities and equipment in the challenge and environmental program areas
   • Conduct daily check of area and equipment for safety, cleanliness, and good repair.
   • Maintain the challenge course equipment and elements.
   • Clean challenge course area daily keeping it free of hazards and debris.
   • Maintain the environmental equipment when used.
   • Be responsible for observing hazards or enhancements in the natural environment and alerting other appropriate staff .
4. Assist in the direction, supervision, and organization of clients in their large and small groups within activities and throughout the park.
   • Apply basic team development principles in working with clients through age-appropriate communication, relationship development, respect for diversity, involvement and empowerment.
   • Ensure youth clients are properly supervised at all times during HOCEE programming.
   • Be aware of, teach and implement safety guidelines for the overall program and each activity.
5. Maintain high standards of health and safety in all activities for clients and staff.
   • Provide for the well-being of each client within your supervision including recognition of personal health need
   • Be alert to client and staff needs
   • Be alert to equipment and facilities to ensure utilization, proper care, and maintenance is adhered to; report repairs needed promptly to the Staff-On-Duty (SOD) or the Facilities Manager (FM)
6. Be a role model to clients and staff in your attitude and behavior.
   • Follow and uphold all safety and security rules and procedures while on the course or at any time when representing HOCEE.
   • Set a good example to clients and others in regard to general HOCEE procedures and practices including sanitation, stewardship, and behavior.
   • Provide appropriate feedback and information as needed for clients to have a successful experience.
7. Perform any additional duties consistent with the mission and established policies and procedures of Hemlock Overlook Center for Experiential Education as assigned by the Directors or their designates.

Other Programs:

The Frontline Facilitator may have the opportunity to facilitate other programs for specific clients such as canoeing and orienteering. Training for these programs is provided in-house, however, these programs are not consistently scheduled.

Typical Day Overview:

The day begins with a 30-minute preparation period before clients’ arrival. When the client arrives, the HOCEE team delivers an introduction to the day and divides the large client group into smaller groups of 8-15 participants (the average size is 12 participants). Each facilitator will work with one small group for their 4 or 6 hour program, guiding their team through different elements/initiatives according to the abilities and function of the group. Each team will usually have an assigned time to participate in one of two high elements – the Zip Wire circuit or the Total Team Challenge™. After the program is completed, facilitators meet for a 30-minute end of day processing.

About Hemlock Overlook:

Created in 1985, Hemlock Overlook Center for Experiential Education is celebrating over 20 years of empowering people of all ages to grow in wonderful ways! Accredited by the American Camp Association and jointly operated by George Mason University and the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, we provide the opportunity for the worldwide community to participate in inspiring Experiential and Environmental Education activities and programs. Hemlock Overlook is located within 5,000 acres of Regional Park land along the western border of Fairfax County, Virginia (Washington DC Suburbs). Our 225 acres are rich in regional Civil War history along the banks of Bull Run and features an over 60-element Low Challenge Course, a 50’ High Challenge Course Zip Wire, and the high element Total Team Challenge™.

The Center is open six days a week and serves more than 25,000 clients throughout the year. A diverse population benefits from Hemlock Overlook programs, including public and private schools, religious groups, community groups, sports teams, colleges and universities, corporations, professional organizations, special needs groups, as well as local, state, and federal government and military agencies.
We employ 30-40 seasonal staff along with 9 full-time administrative/management staff.

Pay Rate:

Frontline Facilitators are employed on an hourly wage as-needed basis, starting at $9.00/hr through initial training period with a potential up to $2.00/hr increase after training, evaluation, and commensurate experience. Most “full-time” Facilitators work 35-40 hours per week.

Benefits:

• One class earned from George Mason University for every 500 hours worked
• Prodeal Program
• Workman ’s Compensation
• All discounts and benefit opportunities entitled to a Nonexempt wage employee of George Mason University

Contact Information:

Kandi Mauchley, Recruitment Coordinator
Send Letter of Interest, Resume, 3 References, and (if available) Challenge Course Practitioners Portfolio to:

Email: applyho@gmu.edu
Fax: 703.226.7781
Mail: 4400 University Drive MSN 5B9 Fairfax, VA 22030

11/29/2008