Staff Manual and Hiring Packet
If you are interested in learning more about BOLD & GOLD, you can view a full version of our 2023 staff manual here. The updated manual is coming soon!
The Staff Welcome Packet from 2023 can be viewed here. It gives a detailed overview of what to expect as a BOLD & GOLD staff member. The 2024 Welcome Packet will be coming soon!
Staff Training
Leadership Team:
Who: Course Directors and Logistics Manager
Where: Cascade People’s Center
When: May 21- June 6, 9am-5pm with 5/25-5/27, 6/1-6/2, and 6/7-6/8 off
Logistics Team:
Who: Logistics Coordinators, and Wilderness and Operation Specialists
Where: Cascade People’s Center
When: May 28-June 6, 9am-5pm, with 6/1-6/2, and 6/7-6/8 off (expect for Backpacking Skills Refresher—see below)
Backpacking Skills Refresher*:
Who: Logistics team, plus available and interested staff.
Where: Alpine Lakes Wilderness
When: June 4-6
*This is an OPTIONAL training that is highly encouraged for staff new to working in the outdoor industry or new to BOLD & GOLD.
**Note this training requires overnight components
All-Staff Training:
Who: required for All BOLD & GOLD staff
Seattle Orientation: Cascade People’s Center June 9-11, 8:00a-5:30p
Frontcountry Training: Newhalem Campground in North Cascades National Park, June 13-14
Backcountry Training: North Cascades National Park, June 15-18
**Note the frontcountry and backcountry portions of All-Staff training require overnight components with limited to no access to cell-phone or internet
Climbing Training :
Who: required for Climbing Instructors
Where: Mt. Erie
When: June 23-25
**Note this training requires an overnight component
Certifications
Our National Park Partners require us to provide copies of all of our staff certifications as a condition of our permits to operate. Prior to the start of summer, staff will be asked to upload their certifications to our Google Drive.
CPR
All staff must hold a current CPR certification, valid through end of employment agreement with BOLD & GOLD. If you are still in need of a certification, we suggest checking with your local Y, Fire Department, colleges/universities in your area, or one of the following acceptable certifying bodies: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, National Safety Council, American Safety and Health Institute. Some Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid courses include CPR in the course, please check your individual certification or scheduled course.
Wilderness First Responder
It is preferred that BOLD & GOLD instructors have a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification valid through the end of their employment agreement with BOLD & GOLD. There are many organizations that provide and sponsor WFR courses.
BOLD & GOLD recognized that the WFR certification requires a large financial and time commitment. For 2024 the Y is offering a WFR support for staff to get their WFR certification prior to the start of the summer. Please see the benefits page for more details.
*Please note that your class MUST include an in-person portion and CANNOT be fully online
Wilderness First Aid
All BOLD & GOLD staff must have at least a Wilderness First Aid certification. This is a 16-hour course that covers first aid basics in a wilderness setting. BOLD & GOLD partners with Longleaf Medicine to provide a WFA class prior to the start of All-Staff training offered to BOLD & GOLD staff at a subsidized rate. This can be used to get a WFA certification or recertify a WFR.
Please contact Troy Donovan (tdonovan@seattleymca.org) for more information about classes held at the Cascade People’s Center throughout the school year.
*Please note that your class MUST include an in-person portion and CANNOT be fully online
WA State Food Handler’s Card
We require that all our staff have a Washington Food Handler’s card. This is mandated per our Special Use Permit with the National Parks and is required to receive our permit. They are valid for two years from certification date. The card is available online at www.foodworkercard.wa.gov There is a fee of $10 that can be charged to a credit card. Once completed, you will be emailed a copy.
Getting to the Cascade People’s Center
The Cascade People’s Center is located in the heart of Seattle, minutes from the downtown sector and accessible via the Light Rail and multiple bus routes.
Parking: we have a small parking lot that is shared by the three programs based out of the building. We ask that seasonal summer staff do not park in the lot to leave space for program vehicles and staff who are required to use their vehicles for program. Street parking is available for a fee; we encourage staff to bike or take public transit using the subsidized ORCA card available to them. Free long-term parking for staff vehicles is available when staff are in the field.
What to Bring
You can find a packing list here. This is a packing list sent to participants and has some specific requests for material and number of items and is separated by the type of trip. We recommend staff use the general backpacking trip list as a starting point. We have a robust gear library able to outfit a participant from head to tow with the personal gear and equipment they may need, this gear library is also available for staff to use, borrowing items for one trip or the entire summer!
As outdoor professionals, we trust you to make decisions about the clothing and gear you bring into the backcountry based on your experiences and what works for you. We do ask instructors to be thoughtful and sensitive to the fact that they may be bringing items into the field that we ask participants to leave behind. We ask that staff use BOLD & GOLD group equipment for during their time on trip, this includes our sleeping shelters or pyramid tarps, cooking gear, water purification systems, and cameras to encourage equity and risk management in our programs.
Employment Eligibility Reminders
Background Check:
All staff must pass a pre-employment background check performed by the YMCA of Greater Seattle
Drug Test:
For staff who will be authorized as Y drivers, we do pre-employment drug testing. Staff are asked to completed this drug test prior to their first day of work as a part for their onboarding process.
The Y does hold the ability to do suspicion of use testing, if a staff member shows signs of being impaired at work, they may be tested based on suspicion, and if they do not pass that test their employment with the Y would be terminated.