Staff Application Guide

Westcoast Connection is committed to providing each and every group member with a summer of a lifetime. The key to achieving this is recruiting devoted, determined, responsible, enthusiastic, creative and sensitive staff members to our team.

Westcoast Connection Staff

Our applicants come to us with diverse backgrounds and interests. We hire teachers, college students, individuals with seasonal jobs, and many who have worked in other areas of the hospitality industry.
These people come to us for many reasons. One common factor unites all of our successful candidates: a desire to be part of a team. Westcoast Connection takes pride in our staff, and expects you to operate as team players, approach the job with enthusiasm, respect others and strive to contribute to what makes Westcoast Connection a special summer for teens.

The satisfaction of a Westcoast Connection summer is unparalleled and the benefits last a lifetime in the form of rock-solid relationships that develop over the course of the program with both group members and staff. Our staff positions offer a significant level of responsibility combined with the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of activities such as: whitewater rafting, summer skiing/snowboarding, surfing, hiking, golf, water-skiing, and sightseeing beautiful cities and magnificent National Parks! There are equally important aspects of the program such as the hilarious zaniness that develops amongst our close-knit groups! The group factor and the spontaneity are critical elements in any truly complete summer experience.

Westcoast Connection Active Teen Trips offers:

Active Teen Tours:
Six to seven staff members accompany approximately 40-50 teenagers on a motorcoach tour with itineraries ranging from 14 to 40 days. Of this team, one is the Trip Director, one is the Food Director and the remainder are Trip Leaders/Specialists (see below). Daily duties include trip member supervision, meal/snack preparation and clean up, itinerary management, co-ordination of various sports/programs, and a multitude of other camp counselor type responsibilities.

You may also want to consider applying to our 360º Student Travel programs - more information on these trips can be found at http://www.360studenttravel.com/

360° Student Travel offers 4 types of programs and is a division of Westcoast Connection Teen Travel Experiences:

1. Global Adventure Programs:
Two to four staff escort smaller groups of 10-20 teenagers on more physically challenging itineraries ranging from 14 to 28 days. Of this team, one is the Trip Director, one is the Food Director (for Canadian Mountain Magic only) and the remainder, where applicable, are Trip Leaders. Professional outfitters will provide instruction for activities such as caving in Jasper or rock climbing in British Columbia. Previous experience in the activities is not a prerequisite for employment, but is an asset. The staff on these programs should report to the trip in very good physical condition. Daily duties include trip member supervision, meal/snack preparation and clean up, itinerary management, co-ordination of various sports/programs, and a multitude of other camp counselor type responsibilities that promote a positive social experience.

On selected trips, driving is the responsibility of Trip Directors, Food Directors and Trip Leaders. These staff must have a valid driver’s license and may have to obtain additional licensing. We will reimburse you for these additional permit expense.

2. Community Service Programs:
Two to three staff escort smaller groups of 10-20 teenagers on itineraries ranging from 10 to 28 days offering group members the opportunity to make a difference in communities and people’s lives. Of this team, one is the Trip Director, one is the Food Director (for certain programs) and the remainder, where applicable, are Trip Leaders. To be considered for this program, applicants must have previous experience either as a volunteer or in a volunteer setting. Daily duties include group member supervision, meal/snack preparation and clean up, itinerary management, co-ordination of various sports/programs, facilitating discussion, and a multitude of other camp counselor type responsibilities that promote a positive group experience.

On selected trips, driving is the responsibility of Trip Directors, Food Directors and Trip Leaders. These staff must have a valid driver's license and may have to obtain additional licensing. We will reimburse you for these additional permit expenses.

3. Language Programs:
Three to five staff members accompany approximately 20-40 teenagers on itineraries ranging from 14 to 28 days offering trip members the opportunity to learn a given language. Of this team, one is the Trip Director, and the remainder are Trip Leaders/Specialists. Daily duties include group member supervision, itinerary management, co-ordination of various sports/programs, and a multitude of other camp counselor type responsibilities. Staff on these programs must be proficient in the language of the program (i.e. Spanish)

4. Pre-College Enrichment:
Three to five staff members accompany approximately 20-40 teenagers on itineraries 21 to 28 days. Become part of a staff team dedicated to an enriching academic and cultural summer where teenagers will experience college life.  Daily duties include motivating participants for classes, logistical coordination, supervision, sports and recreational programming.  Staff on this program must be enthusiastic about learning and touring.  Proficiency in Spanish is an asset.

Types of Positions Available: The positions that we may have openings for the coming summer are as follows:

1. Trip Directors
2. Food Directors
3. Trip Leaders
4. Trip Leaders/Lifeguards

Successful candidates are matched with a position based on a number of factors such as: level of experience, personal qualifications, and personal interests. All of the positions listed above involve being part of one of our programs.

NOTE:

• All staff need valid certificates in First Aid and CPR through August 2012. Certification is the responsibility of the applicant.
• Westcoast Connection / 360° Student Travel provides a non-smoking environment.

1. Trip Directors

Responsibilities:

• Have the highest level of responsibility while their program is in progress
• Oversee every aspect of the trip, including but not limited to the health and safety for all trip members, the enjoyment of each and every trip member and the financial and day-to-day management of the itinerary
• Communication with parents, communication center, and supervisors
• Coach, supervise, and provide on-going feedback to Trip Leaders
• Attend mandatory training sessions - Trip Director Weekend (see date below) and Staff Training Pre-Camp (see date below)
• Pre-trip preparations: communication, planning, and organizing trip details

Qualifications:

• Experience with Westcoast Connection / 360° Student Travel or similar experience (an asset)
• Excitement to work with this teenage age group
• Exceptional leadership skills
• Experience in facilitating training
• Building a strong team with staff and group
• Financial management
• 23 years of age or older
• Camp experience (an asset)
• Travel experience (an asset)
• much, much more!

2. Food Directors

Responsibilities (in addition to Trip Leader):

• Planning of meals that are not at restaurants for the group
• Adhering to the different dietary needs and wants of the group
• Purchasing and proper storage of necessary ingredients
• The safe preparation and palatable presentation of meals
• The co-ordination of clean up after the group has eaten
• Fiscal responsibility for the food budget
• Attend mandatory training sessions – Food Director Training (see date below) and Staff Training Pre-Camp (see date below)

Qualifications (in addition to Trip Leader):

• Passion for all different aspects of meal preparation
• Ability to manage the staff and trip members and convey the importance of teamwork in this area
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Cooking experience (an asset)

3.Trip Leaders

Responsibilities:

• To monitor the well-being and enjoyment of all trip members
• Work with the Trip Director and other staff members in a professional manner
• Perform their ‘specialty role’ that is assigned by the Trip Director (these include: programming, photographer, confirmer, sports coordinator, etc.)

Qualifications:

• Exceptional leadership skills
• Excitement to work with this teenage age group
• Camp experience (an asset)
• Travel experience (an asset)

4.Trip Leaders/Lifeguard:

Responsibilities (in addition to Trip Leader):

• Lifeguard all water activities on the trip ensuring the safety of the participants

Qualifications (in addition to Trip Leader):

• Have valid lifeguard certification through August 2012

Advance/Closing Teams:
We require some staff from each program to join advance and closing teams prior to and after their respective trips. Responsibilities include transporting equipment to and from destination points, greeting trip members at the airport upon their arrival, and returning vehicles to trip departure points. Staff chosen for these duties will be contacted in May.

Training Weekends

All staff must be available for successful completion of our mandatory training sessions leading up to the trip departures. This is an opportunity for us to further acquaint you with our philosophy, policies, procedures, equipment, meal preparation etc. It is also an opportunity for you to meet and work as a team with your colleagues before the start of your journey together! The agenda acts as a sneak preview of what it takes to successfully run a program. We will provide all meals, accommodations and recreation throughout training sessions. There is an allowance paid for travel to and from training.

Please note the dates below along with the position you’re interested in to ensure mandatory presence:

Abbreviations: TD = Trip Director   FD = Food Director   TL = Trip Leader

The Application Process

We would love to hear from you if you meet the qualifications and are ready to undertake an important responsibility that involves learning and growing as you help others to do the same.

We encourage you to submit your preferences, if you have any, along with your completed application form. We will do our best to accommodate your needs in as much as they match ours. Once your application is reviewed you may be contacted to arrange for a personal interview with one of the Directors. Please make sure that all of the reference information that you supply us is correct and up-to-date as we often check references prior to granting interviews.

Those who join us will experience not only the thrills of learning through travel, but the triumphs of creating a tight knit group, bonds of which will surely last well beyond summer's end, and the joys of seeing tears at the end of the trip sparked by the camaraderie that was fostered by the most caring and capable staff in the industry.

Please contact us if you need additional information to apply. We look forward to hearing from you soon!