What are the responsibilities and job description for the Wilderness Field Instructor position at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure...?
The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) is seeking Wilderness Field Instructors for the 2025 season (May-Oct), to work individual trip contracts. Instructors manage the safety of the students while co-facilitating multi-day adventure education programming in the field, including kayaking, canoeing, backpacking, whitewater rafting, and more! Instructors also manage risks and assure effective courses, while serving as an educator and role model.
Must be able to teach and facilitate NCOAE’s curriculum to teens and adults, complete documentation accurately and in a timely fashion and participate in pre-trip and post-trip briefs. Additional duties include facilitating a meaningful group experience and setting an emotionally and physically safe, fun and engaging tone for students to follow. NCOAE is proud to be an AEE (Association for Experiential Education) accredited organization.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Prior experience working with wilderness programs, outdoor education, residential summer camps, or related field
- Strong Critical Thinking & Problem Solving skills
- Current Wilderness First Aid. Wilderness First Responder certification preferred.
- Ability to work independently and as a team
- Competency in risk management skills
Preferred:
- 2 years experience leading domestic and/or international outdoor education programs
- Current WFR or WEMT certification
- Master’s, Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in adventure education, outdoor education, recreation, wilderness leadership or related degree
Employee Perks Include:
- Room/board for seasonal staff
- Industry-leading pay
- Training
- Uniforms
- Industry discounts on clothing, gear, and equipment
- A dedicated administrative team to support your in-field efforts
- Live just a mile from the beach in between trips!
Adventure First. Education Always.
The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education’s mission is to design and deliver handcrafted outdoor and adventure education experiences that promote personal growth, professional development, and stewardship in our communities and the natural environment.
Our vision is a world supported by people and institutions who are naturally inclined to serve one another while protecting the natural environment. We believe in creating empowering experiences. Our core curriculum goes beyond wilderness skills — it teaches our students critical thinking, interpersonal relationships, and a compassion for and duty to the environment.
Every team member plays a critical role in contributing to our success! Our field staff is the key to our future growth and our student and participant success. If you have a deep passion for education and the outdoors, and if you take immense pride in your work and have the ability to positively impact the lives of others, embrace change, and believe that mountains, rivers and surf are simply opportunities — then we invite you to apply to become an NCOAE instructor.
About the organization
NCOAE was founded in 2009 offering courses and trainings that vary in length from three days to three months. Courses focus on a variety of outdoor and wilderness skills including whitewater rafting, rock climbing, backpacking, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, and remote backcountry travel and camping. Trainings and certifications courses offered include: the NCOAE ‘Intensive’ Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) training, Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), and Leave No Trace.
Job Types: Contract, Temporary
Pay: $80.00 - $140.00 per day
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $80 - $140
