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River Leader

We are recruiting for passionate, skilled River Leaders to join our 2019 expedition leadership teams to the Canadian Yukon where they will lead a novice group on a backcountry wilderness canoe trip for up to two weeks.

River Leaders are responsible for the safety of a group ("Fire") whilst paddling and/or engaging in activities on, or in the margins of the river/body of water. It is the River Leaders role to manage a Fire in conjunction with at least one other expedition leader in the parameters set by British Exploring Society, the Chief Leader and/or Senior River Leader.

Compulsory training dates: Leader Induction: 22nd-24th February 2019, Leader Training: 28th-31st March 2019, Explorer Briefing 26th-28th April 2019, 16hr Wilderness First Aid Course 17th-19th May 2019.

Please note that first time leaders will be asked to cover the costs of their own flights on our Canadian Yukon, Indian Himalayas and Peruvian Amazon expeditions.

Assessment: Applications will be shortlisted on a rolling basis

 



Necessary requirements

• All potential Leaders are required to attend an allocated Assessment Day
• An interest in youth development and experience of working with young people relevant to the expedition
• High levels of integrity and sound judgement
• A strong and flexible team player
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire others
• The ability to deal with conflict and overcome challenges
• Significant personal expedition and travel experience

• Significant personal paddling experience, including multi-day/week trips in remote areas
• Relevant UK National Governing Body or recognisable/equivalent qualifications; or demonstrable equivalent & relevant experience
• Environment specific experience relating to the expedition location.
• Experience of managing/coaching beginner groups on rivers and in remote/challenging environments
• An enthusiasm for expeditions and paddling – and the ability to convey this to our Explorers 
• Recognised water safety and rescue qualification(s)
• Recognised adventure/wilderness first aid qualification (weekend training course provided free of charge by British Exploring Society)

On expedition

• Responsibility for, and pastoral care of, explorers in your group
• Overall responsibility for safety and adventurous activities of the group assisted by the second (and third) group leader
• To train the explorers in basic paddle skills pertinent to the proposed activity and itinerary
• To train the explorers in the methods necessary to live and operate in the expedition environment
• Carry out the planned paddle activities and facilitate any wider expedition projects
• All leaders, must regard it as a priority to ensure the safety of each and every member of the expedition at all times
• To inspire our explorers and engage fully in activities to support the educational aims and purpose of the society and expedition

• To manage a feedback and review process with explorers in the group following the structure provided by British Exploring Society
• Where an assistant or trainee leader is attached to your group, to give them responsibility as appropriate, oversee their actions and provide

Pre expedition

• Attend training residentials (3 to 4 weekends in the 6 months prior to the expedition)
• Contribute to planning, risk assessments, expedition-specific guidelines and similar as appropriate and directed by British Exploring Society and/or the Chief Leader, particularly in your area of expertise
• Plan the group’s river activities in liaison with second group leader and senior river leader.

Post expedition

• To produce an overview report for the activities you have been in charge of
• Contribute to the overall post expedition report (PXR), post expedition debrief event and presentation and expedition feedback as appropriate and directed by British Exploring Society and/or Chief Leader