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Staff Application Guide
360° Student Travel is committed to providing each and every group member with a summer of a lifetime. The key to achieving this is recruiting devoted, determined, responsible, enthusiastic, creative and sensitive staff members to our team.
360° Student Travel Staff
 Our applicants come to us with diverse backgrounds and interests. We hire teachers, college students, individuals with seasonal jobs, and many who have worked in other areas of the hospitality industry.
These people come to us for many reasons. One common factor unites all of our successful candidates: a desire to be part of a team. 360° Student Travel takes pride in our staff, and expects you to operate as team players, approach their job with enthusiasm, respect others and strive to contribute to what makes 360° Student Travel a special place for teens.
The satisfaction of a 360° Student Travel summer is unparalleled and the benefits last a lifetime in the form of rock-solid relationships that develop over the course of the program with both group members and staff. Our staff positions offer a significant level of responsibility combined with the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of activities such as: whitewater rafting, summer skiing/snowboarding, surfing, hiking, golf, water-skiing, and naturally sightseeing beautiful cities and magnificent National Parks! There are equally important aspects of the program such as the hilarious zaniness that develops amongst our close-knit groups! The group factor and the spontaneity are critical elements in any truly complete summer experience.
360° Student Travel offers 3 types of programs and is a division of Westcoast Connection Teen Travel Experiences:
 1. Multi Sport Adventure Programs:
Two to four staff escort smaller groups of 10–20 teenagers on more physically challenging itineraries ranging from 8 to 40 days. Of this team, one is the Tour Director, one is the Food Director and the remainder, where applicable are Tour Leaders. Professional outfitters will provide instruction for activities such as caving in Jasper or rock climbing in British Columbia. Previous experience in the activities is not a prerequisite for employment, but is an asset. The staff on these programs should report to the trip in very good physical condition. Daily duties include tour member supervision, meal/snack preparation and clean up, itinerary management, co-ordination of various sports/programs, and a multitude of other camp counselor type responsibilities that promote a positive social experience.
Driving, on a rotating basis is the responsibility of Tour Directors, Food Directors and Tour Leaders. All staff must have a valid driver's license. All staff assigned to these programs may have to obtain additional licensing. 360° Student Travel will reimburse you for these additional permit expenses. All staff on Multi-Sport tours must hold valid certificates in both First Aid and CPR. Certification costs are the responsibility of the applicant.
 2. Community Service Programs:
Two to three staff escort smaller groups of 10–20 teenagers on itineraries ranging from 21 to 28 days offering group members the opportunity to make a difference in communities and people’s lives. Of this team, one is the Tour Director, one is the Food Director and the remainder, where applicable are Tour Leaders. To be considered for this program, applicants must have previous experience either as a volunteer or in a volunteer setting. Daily duties include group member supervision, meal/snack preparation and clean up, itinerary management, co-ordination of various sports/programs, and a multitude of other camp counselor type responsibilities that promote a positive group experience.
Driving, on a rotating basis is the responsibility of Tour Directors, Food Directors and Tour Leaders. All staff must have a valid driver's license. All staff assigned to these programs may have to obtain additional licensing. 360° Student Travel will reimburse you for these additional permit expenses. All staff on Community Service tours must hold valid certificates in both First Aid and CPR. Certification costs are the responsibility of the applicant.
3.Language Programs:
Three to five staff members accompany approximately 30-40 teenagers on itineraries ranging from 14 to 28 days offering tour members the opportunity to learn a given language. Of this team, one is the Tour Director, and the remainder are Tour Leaders/Specialists. Daily duties include group member supervision, itinerary management, co-ordination of various sports/programs, and a multitude of other camp counselor type responsibilities.
All staff must be in possession of a valid driver's license. All staff on Language Programs must hold valid certificates in both First Aid and CPR. Certification costs are the responsibility of the applicant. Staff on these programs must be proficient in the language of the program (i.e. Spanish or French)
You may also want to consider applying to lead an Active Teen Tour (more information on these tours can be found at www.westcoastconnection.com)
Westcoast Connection Active Teen Tours offers 2 types of programs:
 1. Active Teen Tours:
Six to seven staff members accompany approximately 40-50 teenagers on a motorcoach tour with itineraries ranging from 14 to 42 days. Of this team, one is the Tour Director, one is the Food Director and the remainder are Tour Leaders/Specialists (see below). Daily duties include tour member supervision, meal/snack preparation and clean up, itinerary management, co-ordination of various sports/programs, and a multitude of other camp counselor type responsibilities.
All staff must be in possession of a valid driver's license. All staff on Active Teen tours must hold valid certificates in both First Aid and CPR. Certification costs are the responsibility of the applicant.
2 . Sports Programs (Golf /Ski & Snowboard):
Applicants for these programs must be skilled in either sport & have experience working with teenagers preferably in a summer camp or comparable environment. Our program offers students an opportunity to receive instruction in sports as well as playtime and touring. Daily duties include tour supervision, meal preparation, itinerary management and a multiple of other camp counselor type responsibilities. Trained professionals give instruction.
Driving, on a rotating basis is the responsibility of Tour Directors, Food Directors and Tour Leaders. All staff must have a valid driver's license. All staff assigned to these programs may have to obtain additional licensing. Westcoast Connection (WCC) will reimburse you for these permit expenses. All staff on Sports tours must hold valid certificates in both First Aid and CPR. Certification costs are the responsibility of the applicant.
Types of Positions Available: The positions that we may have openings for the coming summer are as follows:
- Tour Directors
- Food Directors
- Tour Leaders
- Tour Leaders/Lifeguards
Successful candidates are matched with a position based on a number of factors such as: level of experience, personal qualifications, and personal interests. All of the positions listed above involve being part of one of our programs.
1.Tour Directors have the highest level of responsibility while their program is in progress. They oversee every aspect of the tour, including but not limited to the health and safety of issues for all tour members, the enjoyment of each and every tour member and the financial and day-to-day management of the itinerary. As a rule, this position is filled from within however candidates with exceptional leadership skills and similar experience may be considered. Tour Directors report on a daily basis to Company Owners/Directors.
Pre-Tour Preparation: to be a Tour Director is a detailed process requiring several days of meetings, training, & verifying every trip-related detail! Building the staff team that you are assigned is a critical pre-departure assignment. Tour Directors need valid certificates in First Aid & CPR. Certification is the responsibility of the applicant.
Tour Director Weekend: In addition to our Staff Training Pre-Camp May 30 – June 1st, 2008, all Tour Directors must attend and successfully complete our Tour Director Seminar tentatively scheduled on the weekend of Friday, May 2 (begins at 5PM) - Sunday May 4, 2008.
 2.Food Directors are entrusted with a challenging task. Note that prior cooking expertise is not a prerequisite for this position. Their responsibility, in addition to playing the role of a Tour Leader as described below, involves the purchasing and proper storage of necessary ingredients, the safe preparation and palatable presentation of meals and the co-ordination of clean up after the group has eaten. They also have a fiscal responsibility for the food budget. With action packed days and different dietary needs to consider each meal, the Food Director's role is a challenging one. Success in this area is contingent on the ability to manage the staff and tour members and convey the importance of teamwork in this area. Extensive training will be arranged prior to the tour's departure and will require an extra day at precamp. Strong organizational skills are a definite asset for applicants of this position! Food Directors report to the Tour Director. Many Food Directors will use the experience and skills that they acquire to catapult them into Tour Director positions in future years with WCC.
3.Tour Leaders form the backbone of the team. A major part of their responsibilities is to monitor the well-being and enjoyment of all tour members. In addition to monitoring our participants, each Tour Leader is also assigned a "specialty". Specialties include: programming, photographer, lifeguard, etc. Tour Leaders will receive training in the areas of the specialty they are assigned.
4.Tour Leaders/Lifeguard:
Applicants holding a valid Instructor's or National's Lifeguard certificate in Canada, or WSI in the United States should highlight this fact in their application. These individuals may be selected to be a Tour Leader assigned the responsibility of Lifeguard. Lifeguards must meet the same criteria as all of our other staff including First Aid & CPR Certification.
Advance/Closing Teams:
We require some staff from each program to join advance and closing teams prior to and after their respective tours. Responsibilities include transporting equipment to and from destination points, greeting tour members at the airport upon their arrival, and returning vehicles to trip departure points. Staff chosen for these duties will be contacted in May.
Training Pre-Camp:
All WCC staff must be available for successful completion of our Pre-Camp training weekend, which is tentatively scheduled for North American staff Friday (12 noon) May 30th - Sunday June 1st 2008. (Food Director training begins on Thursday May 29th at 2pm) and for Overseas/Language staff Friday June 6th – Sunday June 8th. This Pre-Camp weekend is an opportunity for us to further acquaint you with WCC philosophy, policies, procedures, equipment, meal preparation etc. It is also an opportunity for you to meet and work as a team with your colleagues before the start of your journey! The agenda acts as a sneak preview of what it takes to successfully run a program and is sure to entertain us. WCC will provide all meals, accommodations and recreation throughout Pre-Camp. There is an allowance paid for travel to and from precamp.
The Application Process:
We would love to hear from you, if you meet the qualifications and are ready to undertake an important responsibility that involves learning and growing as you help others to do the same.
Westcoast Connection provides a non-smoking environment.
We encourage you to submit your preferences, if you have any, along with your completed application form. We will do our best to accommodate your needs in as much as they match ours. Once your application is reviewed you may be contacted to arrange for a personal interview with one of the company directors. Please make sure that all of the reference information that you supply us with is correct & up to date as we often check references prior to granting interviews.
Those who join us will experience not only the thrills of learning through travel, but the triumphs of creating a tight knit group, bonds of which will surely last well beyond summer's end, and the joys of seeing tears at the end of the tour sparked by the camaraderie that was fostered by the most caring and capable staff in the industry.
Please contact us if you need additional information to apply. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
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