Alpine Sports Specialist

***This is a seasonal position from May 30th – August 1st, 2025***

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Ascendigo Alpine Sport Specialists work closely with the Alpine Manager to provide a safe, facilitated rock climbing experience for our campers. Alpine Sport Specialists are constantly monitoring the climbing site to ensure the safety of campers and staff alike. A typical day on the Alpine Team includes loading and transporting gear to the climbing site, building anchors and setting up ropes, top rope belaying campers, coaching campers to help them find success, cleaning up the climbing site, returning to town and storing the gear. Specialists work in proximity with our campers and may need to assist with behavior prevention & mitigation and activities of daily living such as toileting and hygiene.

TASKS

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  Work directly with clients who have challenging behaviors which may include physical aggression towards others.
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  Act as direct support to someone with autism through a full day of outdoor recreational activities
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  Work in an outdoor environment requires situational awareness and quick
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  Collaborate with Ascendigo Coaches and Interns to create sport lessons plans and goals that meet the client’s needs.
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  Act as a teacher and advocate for clients
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  Accompany clients and teach clients skill acquisition and behavior reduction in social, community, recreation, leisure, and other program settings.
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  Build a positive rapport with clients and facilitate FUN!
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  Oversee client wellbeing and safety in a camp
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  Work positively as a to attend client and staff meetings and training as
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  Communicate with staff
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  Analyze and monitor climbing sites for risk and mitigate risk
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  Be proficient in common rope systems and top rope anchor

IN ADDITION

• Must be 16 or over and have legal working status
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and excellent driving record
• Must have a clean background check with no felonies or flags
• Must provide a current CPR/First Aid certification
• Applicants are required to have and use their own phone for work duties 
• Basic computer skills (MS Office, email, social media)
• Must be able to lift and move heavy objects (up to 25 pounds)

DESTINATION ASCENDIGO: Ascendigo’s mission is to elevate the spectrum by empowering people, inspiring lives, and shattering expectations. We apply this mission to both the people we serve and the people we work with.

Ascendigo is a nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of children and adults living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through therapeutic recreation, employment, community integration, education, and an array of behavioral health services. We are head-quartered in Carbondale, CO.

The ASCENDIGO PROMISE to our employees is to provide meaning and purpose in the work we do. We support high performance through thoughtful onboarding and training and acting with integrity. We offer 360° compensation with a path to financial security, personal well-being and fulfillment, and housing assistance.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: should be committed and passionate about the Ascendigo mission of holistic, active, community-based, independent, and person-centered life. Belief in the dignity and potential of our clients. Ascendigo is committed to a culture of R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

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  R-Recognize the inherent worth of your coworkers.
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  E- Eliminate derogatory words and phrases.
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  S- Speak with people- not at them- or about them.
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  P-Protect the culture of your organization- report and support!
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  E- Empathize- consider what it is like in others’ situations.
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  C-Consider your impact on others before speaking and apologize when you make a mistake.
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  T- Treat everyone with integrity, dignity, and respect.