Dip your toes into multi-week outdoor guiding! We are currently hiring for our Pathfinding Instructor position for the 2024 summer season. This is a full-time seasonal outdoor guiding position based in Durango, CO from 5/20/24 – 8/12/24. Pathfinding Instructors are responsible for co-leading a group of 6-12 campers ages 16/17 on a 26-day wilderness backpacking expedition either through the San Juan Mountains of Colorado or the canyon country of Utah in high-snow years. Instructors will lead two 26-day programs throughout the summer with a 3.5-day break in between.  Pathfinding Instructors will attend our two-week Staff Training but should have the skillset and experience to successfully lead this program upon arrival. This is an ideal position for candidates who have professional outdoor guiding experience and are looking to take their skills to the next level!

Minimum Requirements:

• 21 years old
• Wilderness First Responder certification valid through August 2024
• CPR Certification valid through August 2024
• Valid Driver’s License
• Physically able to carry a backpack weighing up to 75 pounds through rigorous backcountry alpine environments
• Knowledgeable regarding outdoor skills such as basic hygiene, map and compass, outdoor cooking, wilderness medicine, low-impact travel and camping, and alpine/desert backpacking techniques
• Outdoor education and leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Professional multi-day and/or multi-week experience in leading wilderness backpacking trips
• Demonstrated ability to work in high-stress, wilderness environments
• Demonstrated ability to create and deliver high-quality outdoor education expeditions
• Demonstrated effective and competent risk management techniques and decision-making

Job duties include: 

• Being aware of and tending to physical and
  emotional safety and wellbeing of campers.
• Teaching basic outdoor skills (e.g. low-impact
  camping, map and compass).
• Working with Program Directors to communicate needs and discussing problems that may arise
  within the group.
• Facilitating leadership roles and continuously working on group
  dynamics.
• Creating a progressive 26-day curriculum that focuses on building leadership skills in our campers.

Compensation:

Pathfinding Instructors will earn a minimum of $6,000 for a full eleven-week season (5/20/24 – 8/12/24). This minimum is calculated from the $5,100 base salary, $500 end-of-summer bonus, and $400 Wilderness First Responder bonus. Staff can also apply for reimbursable Travel Allowances ($0.13/road mile), field/experience bonuses, a Rental Assistance Program, and will receive bonuses for relevant certifications such as Wilderness First Aid, First Responder, LNT etc. Staff are also eligible for seasonal pro-deal memberships for discounted prices on outdoor gear from a variety of companies. Please click here for a description of our bonuses and travel reimbursement information.

Please click here for a copy of our full-length job descriptions!

Please fill out a Staff Application here if you are interested in employment for the 2024 summer season. Applications are open until filled! If you have any questions please email Tyler or Truman ng [email protected]