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Outdoor Programs Instructor

Apply now(opens in a new window) Job No: 28066
Division/Organization: Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR)
Job Type: Local Student Jobs
Remote Eligbility: Not Remote
Location: 328 E. Lakeside Street Madison , WI 53715 (not on bus line)
Salary/Wage Range or Lump Sum: $17.00 to $20.00
Job Categories: Athletics, Sports, and Recreation

Department Overview:

Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) is Madison’s public recreation provider. MSCR offers a wide variety of athletic, recreational, arts and enrichment activities and classes for all ages in an accessible, inclusive setting. Programs include swimming instruction, MSCR on the Move, arts & enrichment classes, youth summer camps, sports camps & clinics, adult & 50+ fitness, adult sport leagues including pickleball, softball and tennis, and a wide variety of outdoor pursuits including paddling sports, pontoon trips, camping, orienteering and challenge courses.

As a department of the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), MSCR also provides afterschool enrichment activities, clubs and sports as well as summer programming in Madison elementary, middle and high schools, Allied Learning Center and Meadowood Neighborhood Center. Afterschool clubs and sports include: arts & enrichment, homework/academic clubs, drama, dance, skiing, soccer, basketball, volleyball, cross country and much more!

Anticipated Start Date

3/23/26

Anticipated Hours Per Week

Can be full-time position (up to 40 hrs, May-Aug)

Schedule:

Program Dates:
Training begins in March, season runs through November 2026
Training dates listed below:
• 3/23, 1-4pm Season Kickoff Meeting
• 3/24, 1-4pm Facilitation Principles
• 3/25, 9-5pm Low Course at Kennedy
• 3/26, 9-5pm Low Course at School Forest / High Course at School Forest
• 3/27, 9-5pm High Course Facilitation at School Forest
• 3/30, 9-5pm Field Studies at School Forest
• 3/31, 8:30-4:30pm Field Studies Program/Training at School Forest
• 4/6, 10-12pm Inclusionary Practices Training
• 4/7, 9-5pm High Course Facilitation at Kennedy
• 4/23, 12-5pm Mobile Programs / Canoe Training
• 4/24, 9-5pm Environmental Education / Kayak Training at Cherokee Marsh

Work Location: Primary programming sites including Madison School Forest, 1577 Fritz Rd. Verona, Kennedy Challenge Course, 5025 Sudbury Way Madison, and various parks and water-based sites around Madison.

Work Hours: Varies depending on programs, can include weekday(s) and weekend(s) and programming can take place between the hours of 6:00am-9:00pm. Most programming is M-F between 7:30am-4:30p

 

Salary/Wage Range:

Hourly $17.00 to $20.00

Number Of Positions

10

Position Summary/Job Duties:

Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) is Madison’s public recreation provider. MSCR offers a wide variety of athletic, recreational, arts and enrichment activities and classes for all ages in an accessible, inclusive setting. Programs include swimming instruction, MSCR on the Move, arts & enrichment classes, youth summer camps, sports camps & clinics, adult & 50+ fitness, adult sport leagues including pickleball, softball and tennis, and a wide variety of outdoor pursuits including paddling sports, pontoon trips, camping, orienteering and challenge courses.

As a department of the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), MSCR also provides afterschool enrichment activities, clubs and sports as well as summer programming in Madison elementary, middle and high schools, Allied Learning Center and Meadowood Neighborhood Center. Afterschool clubs and sports include: arts & enrichment, homework/academic clubs, drama, dance, skiing, soccer, basketball, volleyball, cross country and much more!

Program Description: 

MSCR Outdoor Programs offer dynamic and engaging experiential and environmental education opportunities for students, community members and corporate clients. Our mission is to empower and facilitate individual and group transformation through experiential learning by providing positive outdoor experiences. We do this through activities including paddling, environmental education, and teambuilding. Paid professional development and training are provided to help build your skills, scheduling is flexible, and you get to join a great group of Outdoor Programs instructors.

Job Description & Duties: 

Outdoor Programs Instructors are trained to facilitate a variety of outdoor activities including environmental education, orienteering, canoeing, kayaking, and high and low challenge courses. Instructors facilitate the activities, help develop and design programs, and maintain safe operating procedures. Instructors are trained to facilitate in all program areas but may choose to work in or prioritize a specific area.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Willingness to work outdoors for up to 8 hours

• Function as a team member working collaboratively to support program operations

• Reliable transportation to program site location(s)

• Enthusiasm for facilitating and learning in the outdoors with all ages

• Commitment to the mission and vision of MSCR and the goals of MSCR Outdoor Programs

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified or able to obtain certification in CPR/AED

• Knowledge of regional flora/fauna including forest, prairie, oak savanna and wetland ecosystems.

• Previous experience teaching environmental education concepts

• Logged Challenge Course facilitator hours that attest to technical and facilitation skill and/or Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) FI-FII certifications.

• Logged hours to attest to paddling facilitation skills and/or American Canoe Association (ACA) Canoe and/or Kayak Level 1 certifications

• Secondary language skills in Spanish and/or Hmong highly desired

Application Instructions:

For more information, please contact Emily Peffer at eapeffer@madison.k12.wi.us or Liz Just at ekjust@madison.k12.wi.us

Contact:

Org: Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR)
Contact: Laura Whitmore
Web: www.mscr.org
Email: hrmscr@madison.k12.wi.us

Advertised: CST Central Standard Time
Applications close: CST Central Standard Time

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