Experiential Program Facilitator

 
 

GutMonkey is seeking multiple Experiential Program Facilitators to join our 2025 Cohort in the execution of our annual programs. Please see the bottom of this job description for specifics for these positions and information on how to apply. This position relies heavily on strong facilitation skills, knowledge of experiential pedagogy and practice, and excellent relationship-building skills. We work in multiple modalities that are play-based, and while those always have clear educational outcomes, we choose play for intentional reasons. Be playful! It is a big part of our work, together and with participants. This position will primarily focus on the execution of pre-designed programs and the relationship cultivation and maintenance with our program partners that is critical to our success in the communities we serve. 

This will be a part time, temporary, seasonal position that will support a few, key programs around the US throughout the year in 2025. This position will report directly to a senior staff person at GutMonkey and will also work closely with the CEO/Founder. After December 31, 2025, this position is not guaranteed into 2026. There may be part time, temporary opportunities beginning in 2026. Hiring for 2026 will begin in the fall of 2025. 

This is a travel position, with an expected amount of travel to programs and various other professional engagements in 2025. See below for the variety of roles we are hiring for. GutMonkey programs are typically between 1 - 2 days long. This role must arrive early to the program location (typically one day before the program start date), and remain on-site throughout the duration of the program, typically leaving the day after the program concludes. Program locations are nationwide and all food, lodging, and on-the-ground travel expenses are covered throughout the duration of the program. Travel expenses to and from the program locations are covered in accordance with GutMonkey travel policies. All program equipment and materials will be provided by GutMonkey. Although not required, we would strongly prefer a bilingual spanish-speaker for this position. 

As a part-time, temporary position, there will be different rates for administrative time (meetings, program preparation, paperwork, etc..), prep time (time spent preparing for the program and communicating with stakeholders), training time (time in the field with a current staff person in a training capacity - observing and some supportive facilitation), and facilitation time (time in the field facilitating as a lead facilitator for a program). Compensation information below.

Facilitator Responsibilities:

Program Delivery and Logistics:

  • Deliver experiential programs, which spark dynamic participant experiences and encourage continued engagement. Programs will be designed by GutMonkey staff, but some adjustments and customization may be needed pending the program and partner needs.

  • Engage and connect with patients during programs outside the hours of facilitation. Have conversations with curious parents during a teen program, take extra time to connect with partner staff upon arrival and departure to site, and be willing to connect with community members as a representation of GutMonkey. 

  • Travel to and from GutMonkey Headquarters and various communities nationally as needed. Work with the GutMonkey staff to book flights, hotels, rental cars, or other travel logistics and be timely and responsible during travel time. Must follow standard operating procedures around travel and travel spending.

  • Ensure the integrity, creativity, and quality of the GutMonkey curriculum.

  • Understand and follow GutMonkey’s policies and procedures at all times.

  • Lead (or assist) participant groups between 5 and 300 teens and/or adults impacted by chronic health conditions (the majority of participants navigate living with a bleeding disorder).

  • Practice Positive Youth Development and positive strategies with teens and youth participants, many who come from diverse and varied backgrounds.

  • Ensure program agendas and program supplies are well organized physically and digitally, and communicate needs to have the necessary tools, materials, and training to successfully implement programming.

  • Data Collection and Reporting: Document program outcomes and lessons learned, collect participant data, take photos, and compile program highlights. 

  • Risk Management: Implement GutMonkey risk management procedures and apply judgment and decision making skills to real-time situations.

Administrative

  • Attend and prepare for meetings and trainings as designated by GutMonkey. 

  • Complete all necessary documents and administrative tasks for programs which may include program agendas, debrief forms, uploading surveys and photos, and submitting receipts in a timely manner.

  • Maintain confidentiality and professionalism surrounding participant information.

Location

We are hiring candidates that live in various locations across the US. The candidate is expected to live within 50 miles of a major or regional airport and will be expected to travel to various locations around the US to deliver programs. GutMonkey programs truly expand to all corners of the country from Maine to Texas to Michigan to Alaska. The candidate should be comfortable traveling and willing to employ problem solving strategies independently in the face of travel challenges.  

Interactions & Information about GutMonkey

GutMonkey is a small company, based in Portland, Oregon that designs and delivers outdoor and experiential programs geared toward better healthcare management for communities affected by rare and chronic conditions. GutMonkey programs range from hour-long keynotes and conference workshops, to weekend long teen programs. At times, we run week long residential programs and expeditions for adults, but have no current plans to run programs like this in 2025.  We are a passionate and collaborative team that centers our work in relationship-building, and community building as the foundation to better health. This serves our central belief that behavior change around healthcare is uncomfortable, and we often ask our participants to do things that are challenging, outside of their comfort zones, and that necessitate asking for help, and validating the hard work of others. We are committed to equity in our organization, and all of its programs, and seek to name and dismantle the ways that various forms of oppression affect the health of the populations we serve. We work predominantly in teenage and adult populations, and occasionally do work with whole families, including young children.

GutMonkey currently has 3 full time employees (CEO, Program and Operations Director, Communications Director), one part time employee (Assistant to the CEO), and two remote contract employees (Operations Manager, Finance Manager). We often work with and communicate with various clients in the outdoor industry, patient affairs for rare and chronic disease, and the pharmaceutical industry. This role would primarily work with patients and program partners with various non-profits.  

Facilitator Qualifications and Experience:

Required:

  • GutMonkey will host a mandatory Cohort Training from February 15 - 20 in Portland, Oregon

    • All travel, expenses, and time will be paid

    • To be considered for this role, you must be available to attend this entire training

  • GutMonkey will have cohort members attend our first program as a training opportunity directly after the Cohort Training from February 20 - 23

    • To be considered for this role, you must be available to attend this entire program

  • Experience in facilitation and/or dynamic, hands-on education work with teenage and adult populations.

  • Strong group management skills working with small to large groups across age demographics and over the course of multiple hours and, at times, over a few days.

  • Strong interpersonal skills and interest in working with people from a diverse range of backgrounds.

  • Experience managing curriculum, activity/program execution, or a background in education.

  • Ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as independently.

  • Excellent written and oral communication and organizational skills.

  • Willingness to learn and practice flexibility and live-time, independent, creative problem-solving in the face of challenges during programs. 

  • A desire and capacity to find solutions and employ various strategies and utilize resources well in the finding of those solutions.

  • Ability to work weekend days and occasional evenings.

  • Must have reliable transportation options to access an airport within 50 miles of residence and a valid driver’s license (some programs will require a rental car). Because most states require renters to be 25 or older, candidates must be age 25 or older.

  • Excellent risk assessment and management skills as they relate to delivering experiential programs and managing small events.

  • First Aid and CPR Certification (can be obtained upon hire).

  • Working knowledge of Google Suite (or ability to learn quickly)

Strongly Preferred:

  • Experience in outdoor education, highly experiential community-based art education, or creative health education (or another specialty area that may align with our work). If you have a specialty area, please outline this in your application!

  • Experience in facilitation work with adults.

  • Spanish language proficiency.

  • Experience with public health community engagement.

  • Experience with group conflict resolution

  • Equity and Inclusion training and experience.

  • Experience with independent work, airplane travel and proven ability to manage logistics around travel responsibly.

  • Responsible and timely around administrative tasks such as scheduling meetings, submitting receipts, and completing debrief forms.

The Ideal Candidate

  • This position may be a great fit for someone looking for occasional program work through 2025. Any one that sees themself succeeding in this job description is encouraged to apply.

  • We are looking for someone who can navigate the nuances of being professional yet fun and highly organized and time-sensitive yet flexible and willing to change quickly if needed.

  • Our ideal candidate will work well independently and should expect to work alone 80% of the time and with staff/collaboratively 20% of the time. 

  • This job requires ENERGY to work with and engage with teens over multiple hours. Energy can mean many different things, so help us understand in your application how you plan to bring your “brand” of energy and consistency to this work. We are looking for someone who has positive skills and passion towards youth work.

  • Ideally, candidates will have a positive mindset about travel for work and will be able to travel and deliver programs independently without significant support from other GutMonkey staff.

Compensation

  • Administrative time

    • Typically 10 hours per program

    • $25 / hour

  • Prep time

    • Typically 5 hours per program

    • $50/ hour

  • Training time

    • Training in the field (on the road at a program)

      • Potentially between 1 and 2 training programs in 2025, likely to last 3 - 4 days each in the field including travel days

      • $200 / day (including travel days)

  • Facilitation time 

    • $350 / day (including travel days)

  • Individual will be hired as a GutMonkey employee for all work conducted for this position. 

GutMonkey Cohort Roles for 2025

We are hiring for various part time, seasonal positions in 2025. While cohort staff will be considered for any and all of our programs, we are looking for people who specialize in one or more of the following areas:

  • Hiking and outdoor recreation

  • Experiential and play-based facilitation with mid - small sized groups (5 - 30)

  • Experiential and play-based facilitation with large groups (50 - 300)

  • Formal presentations for caregivers/parents 

  • Experiential and play-based facilitation with teen groups

  • Summer camps and family camps

Please outline in your application which of these areas you are interested in (please indicate multiple areas if you have experience in multiple areas) and please outline your experience in those specific areas. 

Additional Information

  • The position will encounter both indoor and outdoor work environments at programs. Some outdoor environments may be exposed to the elements including hot weather, cold weather, rain, snow, or other challenging elements.

  • Normally requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

  • May require physical activity, standing for extended periods of time, moving heavy bags around program locations, and playing active games with participants.

  • We will run a background check prior to hiring, and may want to discuss the results of your background check with you prior to making a formal offer of employment.

  • GutMonkey is committed to creating and celebrating a diverse and equitable workplace. If you don’t meet all the requirements of the position but are interested, please apply! We are committed to finding the best fit for the company.

Application Instructions

Your application should consist of:

  • Your resume that outlines any experience facilitating, experience in education settings, any focus areas as an educator, and any personal education or professional development experience

  • A written statement, short video, or audio file answering the following questions (no formal cover letters, please):

    • What is an educational program you have facilitated that you are proud of? What specifically made that program or experience a success for you and for your participants?

    • What is an educational program you have facilitated that was challenging? What specifically made that program or experience unsuccessful for you and for your participants? What would you have done differently if you had the chance to do it again?

    • Which of GutMonkey’s specific program areas (found under GutMonkey Cohort Roles for 2025) are you interested in and what is your experience in those areas?

    • How do you plan to bring energy to the role? What’s your brand of energy and connecting with people?

    • Please confirm that you will be available for the training from February 15 - 20 and the first training program from February 20 - 23.

    • Why do you want to work at GutMonkey?

  • Samples and/or representation of your work as an educator or facilitator. This could include (but is not limited to):

    • PDFs or documents of curriculum or programming you have developed and facilitated/taught

    • Photos, videos, or any media that might represent your work (GutMonkey will practice discretion with media and delete any files after the interview process to protect any subjects of the media)

    • Websites, articles, or other press that discusses your work as an educator or facilitator

  • If you do not have samples of your work, please reach out via email so we can offer additional opportunities to understand your facilitation experience

Email your application to Margaret Bridges (margaret@gutmonkey.com). Applications will close on November 5, 2024. No phone calls, please. Please do not email other members of the GutMonkey team or other general company emails you may find on our website. Phone calls and emails to other emails outside of the one listed above will not be responded to.

Our hopeful timeline for hiring is:

  • First Round Interviews: Early November

  • Second Round Interviews: Late November

  • Offers: Early December