You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.

Field Staff / Outdoor Educator

Deer Hill Expeditions
Email

Our field staff bring a wide range of backgrounds and training to their role. The one element that they all have in common is the desire to provide participants with the most meaningful, educational, and fun programs possible. Every day, Deer Hill field staff make an impact on the lives of our participants through their leadership and presence. Our field staff instill in our participants a strong foundation of outdoor skills, service work experience, communication and interpersonal skills in the mountains, deserts and rivers of the Southwest U.S. Field staff often find that their work with Deer Hill is deeply fulfilling because it is meaningful. They experience the daily richness of supporting participants as they take risks, build new skills, and ultimately learn to connect more fully with the wilderness, others and themselves.


Overview:

  • In the spring and fall, Deer Hill works with schools and private groups.
  • In the summer, Deer Hill operates multi-week programs for participants ages 11-18.
  • Summer participants sign up individually and include adolescents with varying outdoor experience from the US and around the world. Participants also include high potential, low-income scholarship recipients, supported by the Deer Hill Foundation and other non-profits.


 

Deer Hill Programs include a combination of two or more of the following activities:

  • Backpacking
  • Canyoneering
  • Mountaineering
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Canoeing
  • Climbing
  • Cross-cultural Service
  • Conservation Service


 

Deer Hill Basecamp is located in Mancos, Colorado and programs run in the following areas:

  • Weminuche Wilderness Area, Colorado
  • La Plata Mountains, Colorado
  • Lizard Wilderness Area, Colorado
  • Cedar Mesa, Utah
  • San Juan River, Utah
  • Green River, Utah
  • Colorado River, Utah
  • Moab, Utah
  • Navajo Nation
  • Hopi Nation
  • Zuni Nation


 

A Field Staff leader team facilitates each Deer Hill program. The team ranges from 2-5 Field Staff, depending on the number of participants and type of activities. Field Staff may be contracted to work in several positions throughout the season; for example, a Field Staff may work two programs as a Program Leader and one program as an Instructor. Field Staff work with the Staff Manager to determine the best position for them for each contract, based on Deer Hill need and Field Staff ability. Field Staff positions include:

  • Program Leader: Responsible for the leadership, risk management and quality of each program. The Program Leader position is for individuals with exceptional technical and interpersonal skills, as well as familiarity with Deer Hill. Most individuals have worked a minimum of one Deer Hill program prior to working in a Program Leader position.
  • Instructor: This position is for individuals with experience and competence in the outdoor education field.
  • Assistant Instructor: This is an introductory position for individuals who are beginning to work in the outdoor education field. Some technical skill or teaching experience is recommended.
  • Internships: Please see the section below for information about the Internship Program and for the separate Internship Application.


 

Starting wages:

  • Program Leaders: $140.00/day
  • Instructors: $106.00/day
  • Assistant Instructors: $80.00/day
  • Wages increase with days worked at Deer Hill, other professional experience on wilderness trips, SPI or Swiftwater certifications, or a major or minor in outdoor education.


 

Benefits:

  • Food and lodging provided while on contract (and include: meals, beds, laundry facilities, staff storage area, kitchen, horseshoe pit, pond, fruit trees and 130 acres—if you’d rather sleep under the stars).
  • Access to pro purchase programs, providing steep discounts to top name, outdoor gear brands.
  • Professional development trainings to support Field Staff growth and continuing education.
  • Deer Hill offers a Spring Staff Training and a Summer Staff Training, free of charge, for new and returning Field Staff. Attendance to one of the trainings is required for all new Field Staff. The Spring Staff Training includes river safety, Deer Hill river systems, a basic overview of Deer Hill field operations, as well as a service experience. The Summer Staff Training is a complete river training that includes river safety, Deer Hill river systems, a basic overview of Deer Hill field operations, as well as a backpacking experience. Both trainings include risk management, decision making, leadership, and education curriculum.
  • Additional trainings and opportunities for development are available regularly.


 

Dates: 

  • Spring River/Service Refresher: March 27 – April 7, 2024
  • Spring Season: April – June
  • Summer Guide School: June 4 – 14, 2024
  • Summer Season: June – August
  • Fall Season:  August – October
  • Field Staff may apply for spring, summer or both seasons. Each contract is for a program that ranges between 1 and 4 weeks in length. Field Staff can either work a single contract or multiple contracts, depending on Deer Hill need and Field Staff preference. Preference is given to applicants with open availability.


 

Qualifications:

  • 21 years of age minimum.
  • Able to work legally in the United States.
  • Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
  • Current CPR and WFR certifications, minimum.
  • Able to pass criminal background check with CBI and FBI.
  • Able to manage participant and program needs 24/7 for the duration of the contract.
  • Successful professional experience guiding and teaching groups in wilderness settings.
  • River experience rowing oar frames and paddle boats.
  • Motivated to create impactful, meaningful experiences for adolescents.
  • Flexible and able to adapt to changing situations.
  • Desire to be of service to others.
  • Self-aware and engaged in own personal growth.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Affective organization abilities.
  • Able to work well independently and with others.
  • Grounded, fun, and hard-working.

The requirements listed in our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, and if you have 75% of the qualifications listed we encourage you to apply. Your experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, which helps build the competencies, knowledge, and skills that translates directly to our openings. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.