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 Tours offers 2 types of programs:

1. 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 Tour Director, one is the Food Director and the remainder are Tour Leaders/Specialists (see below). Daily duties include tour 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.

2.Sports Programs (Golf / Ski & Snowboard):
Applicants for these programs must be skilled in either sport and have experience working with teenagers preferably in a summer camp or comparable environment. Our program offers students an opportunity to receive instruction in sports as well as recreation and touring. Daily duties include tour supervision, meal preparation, itinerary management and a multiple of other camp counselor type responsibilities. Trained professionals give instruction.

Driving, on a rotating basis is the responsibility of Tour Directors, Food Directors and Tour Leaders. All staff must have a valid driver's license. All staff assigned to these programs may have to obtain additional licensing. We will reimburse you for these permit expenses.

You may also want to consider applying to our 360º Student Travel programs - more information on these tours 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. Adventure Programs:
Two to four staff escort smaller groups of 10-20 teenagers on more physically challenging itineraries ranging from 8 to 40 days. Of this team, one is the Tour Director, one is the Food Director and the remainder, where applicable, are Tour 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 tour 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.

Driving, on a rotating basis is the responsibility of Tour Directors, Food Directors and Tour Leaders. All staff must have a valid driver's license. All staff assigned to these programs may have to obtain additional licensing. 360° Student Travel will reimburse you for these additional permit expenses.

2. Community Service Programs:
Two to three staff escort smaller groups of 10-20 teenagers on itineraries ranging from 21 to 28 days offering group members the opportunity to make a difference in communities and people’s lives. Of this team, one is the Tour Director, one is the Food Director and the remainder, where applicable, are Tour 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 Tour Directors, Food Directors and Tour 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 tour members the opportunity to learn a given language. Of this team, one is the Tour Director, and the remainder are Tour 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 or French)

4. Pre-College Enrichment:
Three to five staff members accompany approximately 20-40 teenagers on itineraries 14 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. Tour Directors
2. Food Directors
3. Tour Leaders
4. Tour 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. Certification is the responsibility of the applicant.
• Westcoast Connection provides a non-smoking environment.

1. Tour Directors

Responsibilities:

• Have the highest level of responsibility while their program is in progress
• Oversee every aspect of the tour, including but not limited to the health and safety for all tour members, the enjoyment of each and every tour 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 Tour Leaders
• Attend mandatory training sessions - Tour 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 Tour 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 Tour Leader):

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

3.Tour Leaders

Responsibilities:

• To monitor the well-being and enjoyment of all tour members
• Work with the Tour Director and other staff members in a professional manner
• Perform their ‘specialty role’ that is assigned by the Tour 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.Tour Leaders/Lifeguard:

Responsibilities (in addition to Tour Leader):

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

Qualifications (in addition to Tour Leader):

• Have valid lifeguard certification

Advance/Closing Teams:
We require some staff from each program to join advance and closing teams prior to and after their respective tours. Responsibilities include transporting equipment to and from destination points, greeting tour 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 = Tour Director   FD = Food Director   TL = Tour Leader

Note: Europe/Oz includes: Europe, Spain, and Australia programs

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 company 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 tour 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!