VTC Level 1 trainer course application

Thank you for your interest in the Vertical Training Commission of the National Speleological Society. The Level 1 trainer course is the first step towards becoming a qualified VTC trainer. For more details on the process of becoming a qualified VTC trainer: Trainer Qualification Procedures.

What is the VTC Level 1 trainer course?
The Level 1 trainer course is not a "next level" of VTC courses. The skills taught in this course are intended to be utilized to teach the VTC Level 1 curriculum to future students. The Level 1 trainer course is designed to enhance your instructional skills and to provide you with a review of the VTC curricula, policies and procedures, and rigging skills necessary for successfully running a VTC course.

To successfully complete the course, trainer candidates must demonstrate proficiency in teaching, exhibit detailed knowledge of the VTC curriculum and policies, use vertical systems consistent with the VTC Level 1 curriculum, and pass all practical skills demonstrations and written tests. Trainer candidates will be expected to conduct themselves and teach the curriculum in a positive, professional, and effective manner.

Name(Required)

First Last

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

NSS Number(Required)

Why would you like to be a VTC Level 1 trainer?(Required)

Tell us why you are interested in becoming a VTC trainer, why you believe you would make a great VTC trainer and/or how this will benefit your community

What is your previous involvement with VTC? (check all that apply)(Required)

None

Completed a VTC Level 1 course as a student

Helped teach a VTC Level 1 course as a specialist

Previously applied to be a trainer or other VTC position

Previous or current VTC staff

Other

Other VTC Involvement

Technical and Training Experience

Please tell us about your technical and training experience. To help facilitate our review of your application, we prefer that you provide a brief narrative summary in the text box for each category. However, if you already have a resume that summarizes your experience in one or more categories, you may write "see resume" in the corresponding text boxes, and upload your resume in the "Supporting Materials" section of the application below.

General caving experience (hours underground)(Required)

less than 50

51 - 100

101 - 250

250 - 500

500 +

Describe your general caving experience(Required)

Basic vertical caving experience(Required)

How many vertical caving trips have you done that entail basic ups and downs (no mid-rope obstacles)?

None

1 - 10

11 - 25

26 - 50

51 - 100

100+

Alpine-Style vertical caving experience(Required)

How many vertical caving trips have you done that entail crossing mid-rope obstacles such as rebelays, deviations, and/or knot passes?

None

1 - 10

11 - 25

26 - 50

51 - 100

100+

Vertical experience, including any relevant rigging and rescue work(Required)

None

Can rig pitches with no intermediate anchors

Can rig pitches with intermediate anchors (e.g. rebelays and deviations)

Can rig releasable systems

Has rescue training

Other

Briefly describe your vertical experience:(Required)

Experience in training others(Required)

(check all that apply)

None

Leads grotto horizontal caving trips

Leads grotto vertical caving trips

Assists with informal vertical trainings (e.g., grotto vertical workshops or practices)

Leads informal vertical trainings (e.g., grotto vertical training sessions)

Assists with formal vertical training courses

Leads formal vertical training courses

Professional instruction

Other

Briefly describe your experience in training others:(Required)

Are you willing to teach within the framework of the VTC curriculum?(Required)

Yes

How many classes per year do you plan to teach?(Required)

Does your vertical system match what is in the VTC Level 1 book?(Required)

Yes

Describe any deviations your vertical system has versus the book(Required)

Ability to organize events and manage groups(Required)

(may be non-caving related events)

None

Organized one to two events

Organized three or more events

Regularly organize events

Have served on a planning committee for a large event

Other

Briefly describe your event planning and management experience:(Required)

Descending Systems

Can operate/lock Off(Required)

Micro Rack

Bobbin

Open Frame Rack

Experienced in teaching(Required)

Micro Rack

Bobbin

Open Frame Rack

Can cross mid-rope obstacles (rebelays, deviations, knots)(Required)

Micro Rack

Bobbin

Open Frame Rack

Ascending Systems

Can operate/changeover(Required)

Frog

Mitchell

Texas

Rope Walker

Experienced in teaching(Required)

Frog

Mitchell

Texas

Rope Walker

Interested in becoming VTC qualified to teach(Required)

Frog

Mitchell

Texas

Rope Walker

Can cross mid-rope obstacles (rebelays, deviations, knots)(Required)

Frog

Mitchell

Texas

Rope Walker

Supporting Materials

Letter of Recommendation (Required)

Please email the link below to at least one individual who has agreed to write a letter of recommendation in support of your application. We will consider your application complete once we have received this submission.

Letter of Recommendation Form

To copy: https://caves.org/vtc/rec-letter

Recent Photo(Required)

Please upload a photo in PNG, HEIC, or JPG format and where you are easily recognizable.

Accepted file types: jpg, png, heic, Max. file size: 20 MB.

Resume Upload (Optional)

If you have a caving or professional resume that you believe would support your application, you may upload it here.

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, dox, txt, Max. file size: 20 MB.

Video Upload (Optional)

If you would like to include a short (less than five minutes) video in support of your application, please upload to YouTube and insert the link in the YouTube video link window. Video content should be one of the following:

Demonstrate how to tie a knot for a complete novice (any knot of your choosing)
Demonstrate and narrate how to do a changeover
Explain your vertical system (how to optimize your gear set)
Tell us why you would like to be a trainer, your strengths & possible contributions to VTC
Tell us about a time that you’ve managed a difficult situation in a group setting

YouTube video link

Additional Supporting Materials (Optional)

You may use this space to provide additional supporting information regarding your skills, experience, motivation, and/or previous engagement with VTC.

Phone

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

VTC Level 1 trainer course application

Technical and Training Experience

Descending Systems

Ascending Systems

Supporting Materials

Letter of Recommendation (Required)

Video Upload (Optional)

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