OutdoorEd.com

Outdoor Field Instructor – Summer 2023!

Company: Adventure Treks

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Job Description

HIRING: Field Instructors for Summer 2023!

Adventure Treks is looking for instructors  who are passionate and enthusiastic about working with teenagers and young adults ages 13-20 in the outdoors. At Adventure Treks, you are an integral part of our community and will make lasting impressions on your students and lifelong friends with your fellow instructors. In our 30 years of providing unforgettable adventures and empowering youth, Adventure Treks has earned a reputation as one of the most professional organizations in the outdoor adventure field, and that is due to our dedicated instructors.

Our 60% instructor retention rate is in part due to our competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities to work our summer, fall, and Spring Leadership Adventure Semesters.

Field Instructors

Our summer field instructors lead trips 10- to 30-day wilderness-based programs in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, British Columbia, Idaho, Wyoming, and Alaska for students ages 12–18. Being an instructor at Adventure Treks isn’t really about the trip location or activities- it is about empowering your students, creating a supportive and respectful community, bringing fun and joy to every day, and experiencing the highs and lows of an adventure together. Through activities like backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, sea kayaking, mountain biking, and ice climbing Adventure Treks’ instructors help our students grow in self-confidence, resilience, social achievement, teamwork, leadership, environmental awareness, and new outdoor skills. Adventure Treks instructors are a positive role model, and responsible for the safety, success, and satisfaction of their students and trip. Instructors are expected to be excellent role models as they teach a variety of outdoor skills and foster a close community. Course size is generally 20–24 students with 5–6 instructors. On each adventure, the instructor team works closely together to coordinate all aspects of the trip, including instruction in all outdoor activities, risk management, managing group dynamics, planning menus, purchasing food, laundry, transportation, coordinating with outfitters, maintaining equipment, and handling medical issues. Instructors receive support while in the field from the regional directors.

Leadership Adventure Semester Instructors

Adventure Treks operates 3 Leadership Adventure Semester Programs with students ages 18-20. Students earn 10-14 academic credit hours, a wilderness first responder, and backpacking, canoeing, mountain biking, rock climbing, & whitewater kayaking. 2 programs are place based and 1 is an expedition trip. Instructors inspire young people to develop a lifelong love of the outdoors  and empower them e to create an inclusive and reflective community that maintains a culture of kindness, sense of humor, and spirit of cooperation and volunteerism. Instructors follow a curriculum, teach daily, and like our field instructors, are with students 24 hours a day for the program. Instructors are responsible for  teaching backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, whitewater kayaking, cooking, and orienteering. Instructors will also teach Leave No Trace concepts, leadership and communication skills, and general environmental education, while focusing on fostering constructive group dynamics and facilitating games and activities. 

The instructor team works closely together to coordinate all aspects of the program, including instruction in all outdoor activities, risk management, managing group dynamics, planning menus, purchasing food, laundry, transportation, coordinating with outfitters, maintaining equipment, and handling medical issues. Instructors receive support while in the field from the regional directors.

Qualifications

All applicants must be 21, have a valid WFR & CPR certification, clean driving record, several years of experience working with youth and leading outdoor programs, and the ability to maintain positive energy levels with little/no time off and very limited personal time. They must be excited to work with teenagers, build community, and facilitate a fun and safe experience. 

Gap applicants must meet the instructor requirements above with experience working with young adults. They require professional experience backpacking and proficient experience (preferably teaching experience) in at least one of the following: rock climbing, whitewater kayaking/canoeing, and mountain biking. Experience with developing and teaching lesson plans, and a strong passion for community building, and have excellent communication and organizational skills. 

Dates of Employment 

(includes staff orientation)

Instructor Compensation

We’re pleased to offer a competitive salary with the starting salary for first-year instructors being – Summer season: $4,000 – $4,200 

  • Adventure Treks offers travel reimbursements up to $500 to help instructors travel to and from Staff Orientation

  • Accommodations, meals (and coffee!) on your trip, outfitted activities, equipment, transportation to and from the trip’s locations are provided by Adventure Treks.

  • Pro Deal accounts with access to discounts on a wide range of outdoor brands.

  • Reimbursement for Wilderness First Responder Certification for returning instructors.

  • Focus on year-round personal and professional growth which include career resource webinars and reimbursements towards professional development

  • An opportunity to work both Adventure Treks summer and fall programs and gap semesters, with a focus on career growth and professional development through the progression of instructor, trip leader, regional director, and gap semester faculty

Additional Information About Adventure Treks:

Personal and professional skills learned at Adventure Treks are applicable to many experiences for years to come:

  • Leadership and Responsibility: responsible for 24 teenagers and all aspects of running a safe and fun trip

  • Communication: with your students, co-instructor, trip leader, regional director, parents, and Adventure Treks office

  • Resilience and adaptability: positively overcome adversity and creatively solve problems

  • Decision making: confidence in safe, quick, and intentional decisions

  • Strong work ethic: the hardest job with the biggest rewards and fulfillment

  • Relationship building: a role model to students, creating strong connections with students, instructor team, and building a strong community

  • Feedback: continual opportunities to provide and receive feedback to students, co-instructors, and trip leaders

Availability:    Application Window We are accepting applications for Summer 2023! We encourage candidates to submit their resumes and applications promptly.

How to Apply

Adventure Treks is now accepting applications for Summer 2023! Email your resume and a brief introduction to Jordan Carr at [email protected].