2022/23 Application

Application Deadline: October 31, 2022


Position Description

Avalanche Awareness Instructors are contracted by the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) to instruct 60-minute Avalanche Awareness Classes to the public. NWAC offers free avalanche classes throughout our forecast area. These classes are introductory presentations geared towards the novice wintertime backcountry user.

Benefits

Instructors are contract workers compensated $125 per in-person class and $100 per virtual class.

Qualifications

To instruct these classes you must either participate in NWAC’s Avalanche Awareness Instructor Program (AAIP) or have taken an AIARE Instructor Training Course (ITC) or the equivalent and participated in our two-hour returning instructor training. NWAC’s Avalanche Awareness Instructor Program is run in the fall as a cohort based program. The number of instructors trained is based on organizational needs.

How To Apply

There are three streams to teaching Awareness Classes. Find required experience and credentials below.

Training Dates for the 2022/23 Season

Returning Instructor Training

November 1 (Tuesday) from 5:00-7:00pm (virtual)

New Instructor Training

November 8 (Tuesday) from 6:00-7:30pm (virtual)

November 10 (Thursday) from 6:00-7:30pm (virtual)

November 12 (Saturday) from 9:00am-12:00pm (in-person in North Bend)


Returning Instructors

Returning Instructors are those who have previously taught Awareness Classes for NWAC and have the required avalanche education credentials. Instructors must complete a 2-hour returning instructor training every year to teach Awareness Classes. Returning instructors should contact Katie Smith at katie.smith@nwac.us to register for training.

Required Experience and Credentials

  • Previously taught Awareness Classes for NWAC

New Instructors: Experienced Avalanche Educators

Aspiring avalanche instructors who have taken an ITC are eligible to teach Avalanche Awareness Classes without attending the Avalanche Awareness Instructor Program (AAIP).

Required Experience and Credentials

  • AIARE Pro or equivalent
  • ITC or equivalent
  • 5+ years recreating in the wintertime mountains
  • Participate in the 2-hour NWAC returning instructor training

Apply to teach Avalanche Awareness Classes here.


New Instructors: Aspiring Avalanche Educators

Teaching Avalanche Awareness classes can be a great first step for those looking to work in the snow and avalanche industry. In order to create entry ways into paid snow and avalanche work, NWAC has created an Avalanche Awareness Instructor Program (AAIP) to teach aspiring avalanche educators to deliver the curriculum.

Required Experience and Credentials

  • AIARE Level 1 or higher
  • 3+ years recreating in the wintertime backcountry
  • Interest in working professionally in the snow and avalanche industry
  • Participate the AAIP 8-hour training program

Applications for the 2022/23 season are open here.