POSITION SUMMARY: 

This position supports the work of the YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park Center, which operates a mission-based family and group conference and retreat center, serving more than 150,000 guests annually. Participants of the Elevate Gap Program are employed with either housekeeping or food service and participate in weekly “Elevate Days,” or experiential learning days, led by our facilitators. It is also the responsibility of the facilitators to plan and execute extracurricular activities for program participants outside of their scheduled Elevate Days. The facilitator must be able to safely and efficiently plan, prepare for, and lead backpacking and camping trips, day hikes, outdoor education classes, and other outdoor activities for participants. 

The mission of the Elevate Gap program is to foster a sense of belonging and community, build confidence in outdoor skills, and provide a supportive environment for self-discovery and personal growth. Through hospitality work, program days, and guidance from our facilitation team, we support young adults (ages 18-23) during a time of uncertainty. 

Aligned with the YMCA’s core values of nurturing mind, body, and spirit, participants are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones—physically, emotionally, and mentally—fostering resilience and personal development. 

Gap Program Facilitators ensure that the program is carried out as it aligns with our mission.  Facilitators are required to implement activities, nurture an intentional community among the Gap program participants, provide mentorship, and create interpersonal relationships as they see will benefit the participants’ experience. Facilitators help participants adjust to full-time work while navigating workplace personal and professional challenges to ensure success at the YMCA of the Rockies and their future.  

OUR MISSION AND CULTURE:   

We firmly believe in our mission of putting Christian principles into practice through programs, staff, and facilities in an environment that builds healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. We are committed to welcoming all people and making a difference in the lives of our members, guests and staff. We count on our staff to provide extraordinary mission-based experiences for our guests and for each other.  

• Exhibit positive role-modeling behavior at all times, on- and off-the-clock.
• Maintain clear, professional boundaries with participants at all times. 
• Plan and facilitate weekly Elevate Days that prioritize an intentional learning experience. 
• Help participants meet their program goals by conducting mentor meetings, Elevate Days, and extracurricular offerings. 
• Meet weekly with housekeeping and food service department managers to keep up to date with participants’ performance and schedule changes. 
• Ensure clear and frequent communication with participants as necessary about expectations and preparations for program activities. Slack and Canva are often utilized to do so. 
• Facilitate intentional activities, projects, and programming during overnight outdoor experience trips and Elevate Days.  
• Ability to be flexible and reasonably modify activities to accommodate the needs and skill levels of all participants  
• Lead outdoor adventures up to five days weekly, including day hikes, overnight backpacking and camping trips, snowshoeing, etc. 
• Assess, prevent, and manage risks and emergencies, acting as the primary emergency responder and/or support person during program days and activities. 
• Communicate and teach the necessary precautions before embarking on an outdoor trip to mitigate risk. 
• Assist with meaningful facilitation by leading discussions about skills learned. 
• Oversee the planning and execution of outdoor, multi-day trips off-property and/or out-of-state  
• Work with outside vendors and departments internally to obtain all items necessary for trips and activities, i.e., food, gear, campsite reservations, etc. 
• Load, unload, manage, inventory, and care for equipment and gear, ensuring that equipment is safe and in working condition. 
• Demonstrate and provide instruction in outdoor skills and consideration to participants, including the use of equipment, in order to empower their own independent ability.  
• Provide and promote learning and involvement opportunities that challenge growth.  
• Assist with administrative tasks such as compiling and evaluating feedback and program performance.  
• Foster interactions and conversations with participants individually and as a community.  
• Maintain a high profile in staff housing that is approachable and receptive.  
• Encourage interaction among staff and acknowledge diversity within the community.  
• Ensure the environment in staff housing is welcoming to staff with diverse backgrounds.  
• Assist with interviewing future GAP program participants.  
• Facilitate regular activity debriefs utilizing the community circle process. 
• Relay inappropriate behavior to the Gap Program Coordinator and to HR leadership.  
• Support and adhere to YMCA of the Rockies policies, regulations, and procedures.  
• Meet regularly with the Gap Program Coordinator and HR leadership to talk about Gap program participants and potential issues.  
• Obtain approval to operate YMCA vehicles. 
• Comply with YMCA driving rules.  

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Be at least 21 years of age.  
• Experience working in outdoor education, camps, recreational guiding services, or similar occupations. 
• Promote a cooperative, positive, and problem-solving atmosphere. 
• Possess passion and ability in various outdoor skills, including backpacking, hiking, and camping. 
• Possess stamina to engage in physical indoor and outdoor activities while managing complex group dynamics. 
• Must possess and maintain or be willing to obtain current CPR and WFA certifications. 
• Ability to interact with young adults in a mentorship and leadership role.  
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, be self-directed, and make sound decisions.   
• Must possess high emotional maturity and consistently set and uphold boundaries. 
• Ability to handle stressful situations with diplomacy and tact. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with a leadership team. 
• Ability to adapt to the changing needs of the program and participants.  
• Possess aptitude in developing relationships with participants. 
• Must be highly organized with impeccable accuracy, attention to detail, and ability to complete tasks promptly and efficiently.  
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, be self-directed, and make good decisions.   
• Possess a valid United States driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record. 
• Ability to comfortably drive participants in a 14-passenger mini-bus for activity days on mountain roads and in city traffic.  
• Must pass DOT physical exam and drug test to be eligible to drive 14-passenger mini-bus. 
• Must be highly organized, accurate, and able to complete tasks promptly and efficiently.  
• Ability to communicate visually and orally while speaking, writing, and reading English fluently. 
• Proficiency in working with software systems and registrations. Knowledge of Microsoft software (i.e. Word, Excel, and Publisher.) 
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings, and holidays. 
• Must be willing to work for over 8 hours in a day on extended outdoor experience trips while maintaining a 40 hour pay schedule. 

GENERAL YMCA OF THE ROCKIES REQUIREMENTS: 

• Uphold and reflect the YMCA core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, and Faith in all functions.
• Uphold the YMCA of the Rockies Mission, policies, and programs. 
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism is required 
• Possess and demonstrate excellent customer service skills; friendly, personable, helpful, patient, and professional. 
• Support the YMCA of the Rockies safety program. Promote safe work practices and a safe environment for guests, members, and staff. 
• Promote a cooperative, positive, and flexible atmosphere while working with others in a diverse community. 
• Must meet acceptable criminal background check standards. 
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus. 
• All other duties as assigned. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.   

• Be able to bend, stoop, kneel, walk, and hike on uneven terrain for 6-10 miles. We often hike at over 8,000 feet with frequent uphill climbs.  
• Ability to climb stairs, frequently get up and down from the desk and move throughout lodges and meeting facilities. 
• The employee needs sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions and supervise activities in various indoor and outdoor locations. 
• The employee must be able to regularly lift and move up to 40 pounds up to 4 feet.  
• The noise level in the work environment is usually high.