Thank you for your interest in INNER QUEST intern/apprentice opportunities. INNER QUEST offers ...

15 Pages·2013·0.15 MB·English

by  Randolph Smith

3 4752 Charles Town Pike • Purcellville, VA 20132
[phone] • [phone] • [phone] fax

[email protected]
www.InnerQuestOnline.com

Thank you for your interest in INNER QUEST intern/apprentice opportunities. INNER QUEST
offers a 12-week apprentice program for individuals interested in becoming Outdoor Adventure
Educators. Enclosed is an apprentice application packet.

Opportunities exist for regular staff positions upon successful completion of the apprentice
program. Regular staff positions are seasonal and employment runs from late-March through
late-November each year.

Our apprentice program is scheduled for April – June and August – November, 2013. We begin
to make selections 45-60 days prior to the beginning of each program.

If you would like to be considered for our apprentice program, please complete and return the
enclosed application. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Sara E. Smith
Director

Apprentice Program Packet Enclosures:

Apprentice Program Description
Apprentice Job Description
Stipend and Salary Description
Reference Explanation Letter
Application for Employment
Reference Forms
INNER QUEST Apprentice Program
April – June and August – November 2013

Organization Description

INNER QUEST, Inc., is an experiential education organization working with over 250 institutions a year! We
encourage holistic growth by designing safe, challenging adventures for individuals and groups of every age.
We facilitate a wide variety of exhilarating activities including challenge course, rock climbing, canoeing,
kayaking, and expeditions. INNER QUEST adventures build teams, strengthen communication, deepen
interpersonal responsibility, compassion, and heighten sensitivity to the natural environment. Thousands of
people have experienced the benefits of INNER QUEST’s unique adaptive programming: schools, colleges and
universities, corporations, scouts, churches, interest groups and special populations.

Apprentice Program Description

Objectives
Provide training and work experience in the skills required to be an INNER QUEST instructor. The 12-week
program includes 20 days of training and 40 days leadership work experience.
Provide the apprentice with the opportunity to determine his/her suitability for a career in experiential
education.
Provide INNER QUEST with an opportunity, through evaluation, to determine whether to offer the
apprentice employment at the end of the program.

Qualifications
Minimum 18 years of age. Applicants should have an intense desire to learn, work hard, have fun, and
develop into a professional member of the INNER QUEST. Current First Aid, CPR, and/or Lifeguarding
certification preferred. Experience in rock climbing, canoeing, backpacking, and other outdoors activities
are desirable, but not necessary. Applicants who have or are pursuing a college degree are preferred. The
primary prerequisites are maturity, sound judgment, interest and stamina.

Training
Apprentice instructor training will include--challenge course, rock climbing, expedition leadership, safety,
instructional methods, map and compass, first aid, caving, canoeing, kayaking, logistics and numerous
related subjects.

Housing and Transportation
Apprentices will be responsible for providing transportation and housing accommodations. Assistance will
be provided in helping to locate housing and arranging possibilities for car-pooling.

Compensation
A stipend of $3,000 will be granted each apprentice. The actual amount will be determined based on the
applicant's educational background and experience in the field of outdoor recreation.
INNER QUEST, Inc.
34752 Charles Town Pike Purcellville, VA 20132
[phone] [phone] [phone] fax
[email protected]
www.InnerQuestOnline.com

Job Description -- Apprentice

The Apprenticeship is a training position lasting 12 weeks. The Apprentice receives at least 20 days of
formal training and is expected to show interest, concern, initiative, enthusiasm and a desire to learn.
All training and testing must be completed with a high degree of competence. The Apprentice also
participates in 35+ days of supervised work experience.

Within 3-4 weeks, the Apprentice begins acting in the capacity of Assistant Instructor exercising
leadership, technical skills and group dynamics with small groups of 8-13 participants each while
assisting a regular staff Instructor.

Eventually, the Apprentice is given the opportunity to act as a primary instructor with full
responsibility for safety and course objectives for their own group, under the supervision of the Course
Director. This phase will begin with short one-day programs, but can progress based entirely on the
Apprentice=s capabilities.

The Apprentice is expected to display professionalism, maturity and a sense of responsibility at all
times. Compliance with the spirit and letter of all INNER QUEST policies is a condition of
employment.

Client/Participant Description

INNER QUEST programming runs in seasonal cycles. During the spring and fall, programs are mostly
based on contracts with schools and businesses. During the summer, we provide adventure activities
on contract to summer camps, park and recreation programs, and other groups. Winter is our slowest
season when we run a few contract programs. Staffing is reduced during the winter.

Apprentices will be concerned predominately with our spring and fall programs. We conduct a high
percentage of one-day Challenge Course programs during these seasons. Of these, most clients fall
into the 10-16 age range and are from public and private schools. The second most popular programs
are expeditions, varying from two to six days in length and generally run for private schools and
businesses. These expeditions include a variety of adventure activities (rockclimbing, caving,
canoeing, etc.). Other programs include day programs in climbing, caving, canoeing, kayaking, urban
adventures, skill development training programs as well as one large continuing, curriculum based,
experiential program for a private school.

Clients range from schools to businesses, from clubs to churches and ages range from 10 to 60 years.
Most programs are for Anormal@ populations, but some involve the learning disabled, gifted-talented,
mentally disabled, physically disabled and emotionally disturbed students.
INNER QUEST APPRENTICE PROGRAM

Stipend and Salary

The INNER QUEST Apprentice Program is a unique opportunity for motivated individuals to
gain training and experience in the field of Outdoor Adventure Education. The program was
designed because too few openings are available in this field for folks trying to get started. The
program is very much a training experience. During the 12-week program, each apprentice
works 60 days; of those days, 20 are formal training days with the remaining 40 involving
working with clients on programs. The training is very high quality and expensive for INNER
QUEST to conduct. The 40 workdays help to pay for that training and that is why we can only
offer a $3,000.00 stipend to apprentices. Apprentices are responsible for housing, transportation
and food while at INNER QUEST and so it is reasonable to assume that the stipend will not be
enough to cover all expenses. If you have looked, you know that many of the other popular
instructor training courses will cost you over $3,500.

Some individuals complete the INNER QUEST Apprentice Program just for the training and
experience while others are interested in working for INNER QUEST after the program is
completed. We hire apprentices when we have openings on staff, so there are usually positions
available for anyone successfully completing the program. We see the apprentice program not
only as a service, but also as an investment.

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, individuals remaining on staff would be
eligible for regular staff pay. This rate begins at $90 per day depending on qualifications and
performance during the apprentice program.

If you have additional questions about apprentice stipends, please call INNER QUEST at (703)
478-1078 or [phone].
INNER QUEST, Inc.
34752 Charles Town Pike Purcellville, VA 20132
[phone] [phone] [phone] fax
[email protected]
www.InnerQuestOnline.com

Dear Applicant:

Please be careful to fill out the entire, four pages of the application as accurately and completely
as possible. Please type, print or write very neatly and legibly. Attach additional sheets if
necessary.

References are extremely important in the selection process. Choose your references carefully.
Employers or work supervisors are best, while teachers or instructors with lots of direct, daily
contact are also good. Be certain to choose folks who will return the forms promptly since no
decision will be made on your application until all of your reference forms are received. Please
also list the same three references that you are using on the application form in the indicated
blanks.

Please give one of the enclosed forms to each reference person and have them send it directly
back to INNER QUEST. Do not have them give or send it to you. I would strongly suggest that
you supply them with a stamped envelope already addressed to INNER QUEST. They will be
more likely to send it promptly if it is easily done.

We are looking forward to receiving you application.

Thank you,

Sara E. Smith
Director
INNER QUEST, Inc.
34752 Charles Town Pike Purcellville, VA 20132
[phone] [phone] [phone] fax
[email protected]
www.InnerQuestOnline.com

APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT

(All four pages of this application must be completed in full.)

I-PERSONAL INFORMATION: Date _____________________________________

Name _________________________________________________________ Soc. Sec. # _________________________________
Last First Middle (in full) Nickname (if any)

Present Address- Permanent Address-

________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
Number and Street Number and Street

________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
City State Zip City State Zip

Phone ( ) Phone (____)_______________________________________
Area Code Area Code

E-mail address _____________________________________

Birth Date ___________________________________ Weight ________ Height ________ Marital Status ____________________

Dependents (give ages) _______________________________________________________________________________________

U.S. Citizen? Yes_____ No_____ If no, give country _______________________________________________________________

II-JOB OBJECTIVE:

Position Desired ___________________________________ Dates Available ___________________________________

Salary Expected ___________________________________ Seasonal ________________ Permanent ________________

III-EDUCATION:
Name and Location Years Degree Major

High School _______________________________________________ ____________ ______________ ______________

College _______________________________________________ ____________ ______________ ______________

Other _______________________________________________ ____________ ______________ ______________

Other _______________________________________________ ____________ ______________ ______________

IV-REFERENCES:
Name Address* Phone

1 __________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ________________

2 __________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ________________

3 __________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ________________
*- Give complete address with Zip code please!
Page 2
Name _________________________________________________ INNER QUEST, Inc.

V-HEALTH: Describe any injuries or physical limitations which might affect your work.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you have health/accident insurance? Yes_________ No _________

If yes, with whom? ____________________________________ Extent of coverage ___________________________________

Person to notify in case of an emergency-

________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________
Name Relationship

________________________________________________________________________ (____)________________________
Address Phone

VI- RESUME: List all jobs, experience and training applicable to your job objective.

(Include any teaching/counseling as well as outdoor experiences. Give geographic locations for outdoor experiences. Use additional sheets
or attach resume if necessary.)

VII- REASONS for wanting to work for INNER QUEST, Inc.

How did you hear about INNER QUEST? _____________________________________________________

College Internship Credit? Yes______ No______ If yes, what school? ____________________________
Page 3
Name ___________________________________________________ INNER QUEST, Inc.

VIII- SKILLS INVENTORY:

Practical Experience Teaching Experience
1 = Some practical experience 4 = Some teaching experience
2 = Considerable practical experience 5 = Considerable teaching experience
3 = Expert based on practical experience 6 = Teaching expert

Please circle appropriate numbers below. If no experience, leave blank.

TEACHING/COUNSELING WATER
Practical Teaching Practical Teaching
1 2 3 4 5 6 Group Dynamics 1 2 3 4 5 6 Canoeing
1 2 3 4 5 6 Counseling 1 2 3 4 5 6 Whitewater Canoe
1 2 3 4 5 6 Teaching Methods 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kayaking
1 2 3 4 5 6 Experiential Ed. Theory 1 2 3 4 5 6 Whitewater Kayak
1 2 3 4 5 6 Sailing
GENERAL OUTDOOR 1 2 3 4 5 6 Swimming
Practical Teaching
1 2 3 4 5 6 Backpacking WINTER
1 2 3 4 5 6 Map/Compass Practical Teaching
1 2 3 4 5 6 Lashing 1 2 3 4 5 6 Avalanche Forecasting
1 2 3 4 5 6 Weather Forecasting 1 2 3 4 5 6 Avalanche Rescue
1 2 3 4 5 6 Challenge Course 1 2 3 4 5 6 Crevasse Rescue
1 2 3 4 5 6 Caving 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ice Climbing
1 2 3 4 5 6 Outdoor Cooking 1 2 3 4 5 6 Nordic Skiing
1 2 3 4 5 6 Survival Skills 1 2 3 4 5 6 Alpine Skiing
1 2 3 4 5 6 Snowshoeing
EXPEDITIONS 1 2 3 4 5 6 Winter Camping
Practical Teaching 1 2 3 4 5 6 Winter Survival
1 2 3 4 5 6 Planning
1 2 3 4 5 6 Leadership NATURE LORE
1 2 3 4 5 6 Above Timberline Practical Teaching
1 2 3 4 5 6 Below Timberline 1 2 3 4 5 6 Astronomy
1 2 3 4 5 6 Birds
MOUNTAINEERING 1 2 3 4 5 6 Conservation
Practical Teaching 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ecology
1 2 3 4 5 6 Mountain Rescue 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fish
1 2 3 4 5 6 Technical Evacuation 1 2 3 4 5 6 Forestry
1 2 3 4 5 6 High Alpine Mountaineering 1 2 3 4 5 6 Geology
1 2 3 4 5 6 Knots/Rope Management 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mammals
1 2 3 4 5 6 Top Rope Rockclimbing 1 2 3 4 5 6 Plants
1 2 3 4 5 6 Lead Rockclimbing 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wild Foods
1 2 3 4 5 6 Rappelling
1 2 3 4 5 6 Suspension Traverse MISCELLANEOUS
Practical Teaching
ADMINISTRATION 1 2 3 4 5 6 Carpentry
Practical Teaching 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fiberglass Repair
1 2 3 4 5 6 Accounting 1 2 3 4 5 6 Boat Building
1 2 3 4 5 6 General Management 1 2 3 4 5 6 Logistics
1 2 3 4 5 6 Public Speaking 1 2 3 4 5 6 Motor Mechanics
1 2 3 4 5 6 Typing 1 2 3 4 5 6 Photography
1 2 3 4 5 6 Advertising/Promotion 1 2 3 4 5 6 Physical Training
1 2 3 4 5 6 Computer Operation 1 2 3 4 5 6 Challenge Course Const.
Page 4
Name _________________________________________________ INNER QUEST, Inc.

IX- EMERGENCY CARE, SAFETY and OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Certification Certifying Completion Other Qualifications/Courses
Organization Date (Give details, location, dates, etc.)
Basic Water Safety _________________ _________ Outdoor First Aid ____________________________
Lifeguard Training _________________ _________ __________________________________________
Lifeguard Instructor _________________ _________ __________________________________________
Water Safety Instructor _________________ _________ __________________________________________
Flatwater Canoeing _________________ _________ EMT ______________________________________
River Canoeing _________________ _________ __________________________________________
Flatwater Kayaking _________________ _________ __________________________________________
River Kayaking _________________ _________ __________________________________________
Basic Sailing _________________ _________ Teaching Certification ________________________
Standard First Aid _________________ _________ __________________________________________
Adult CPR _________________ _________ __________________________________________
Adult CPR/AED _________________ _________ __________________________________________
Child & Infant CPR _________________ _________ School Bus Driver ___________________________
CPR/AED for the _________________ _________ __________________________________________
Professional Rescuer

Other (include Instructor-Trainer) Other _____________________________________
_____ _____ ___________________ _________ __________________________________________
_____ _____ ___________________ _________ __________________________________________
_____ _____ ___________________ _________ __________________________________________
_____ _____ ___________________ _________ __________________________________________

X- LEGAL BACKGROUND:

! Are you now pending trial for, or have you ever been convicted of, any crime to include sexual or child abuse? Yes _____ No _____
If yes, include complete description(s).

I certify that the statements in this application are true and complete to the best of my knowledge, and I agree that any intentional
misstatement or omission will constitute grounds for unfavorable consideration of my application or dismissal from employment with
INNER QUEST, Inc.

I authorize INNER QUEST, Inc. to obtain information from past employers and other sources to support the data on this application,
including a review of my educational, criminal and credit records, as appropriate.

You may contact my PRESENT employer: Yes___ No ___ (If no, explain)

Applicant=s Signature: ___________________________________________________ Date: _________________________________
INNER QUEST, Inc.
34752 Charles Town Pike Purcellville, VA 20132
[phone] [phone] [phone] fax
[email protected]
www.InnerQuestOnline.com

Dear Reference Person:

The person named below has listed you as a reference in applying for an Outdoor Education Apprentice Instructor position
with INNER QUEST. This is a training position in which the apprentice is given extensive training in outdoor adventure
program leadership. We are looking for candidates with aptitude, stamina, dedication and a desire to learn and improve.
We are more concerned with the candidate's ability and willingness to work with people of all ages than we are with their
adventure program skills.

We would very much appreciate your taking the time to fill out the form below and return it to INNER QUEST at the
above address as soon as possible. No decision can be made about the applicant until all reference forms are received.

Thank you,
Sara E. Smith, Director

Applicant=s Name: ______________________________________________________________________________

Reference=s Information: Name: ___________________________________________________________________

Title: _________________________________________ Organization: ____________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone #: _______________________________________ E-Mail: _____________________________________

Relationship to Applicant: ____ Employer ____ Teacher ____ Supervisor ____ Other (specify):________________

What time period is this reference based upon? ____________________________ to ____________________________

Using the scale below, please indicate your rating of this individual in the following categories:

0 B Did Not Observe 1 B Poor 2 B Below Average 3 B Average 4 B Above Average 5 B Outstanding

___ Adaptability ___ Attitude ___ Ability to deal with ___ Desire to learn
the public
___ Creativity ___ Enthusiasm ___ Aptitude for learning
___ Ability to deal with
___ Initiative ___ Professionalism ___ Outdoor living skills
peers
___ Dependability ___ Leadership Abilities ___ Safety consciousness
___ Ability to deal with
___ Promptness ___ Acceptance of supervisors ___ Physical stamina
criticism
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