Wilderness Inquiry Trail Staff Job Description

Supervisor: Director of Operations

Overview: The primary responsibility of the Trail Staff is to serve WI trip participants and insure the safety, quality and cost-effectiveness of WI experiences. Trail Staff are responsible for the lives and well being of WI participants throughout a WI adventure. The ability to plan, implement and follow through with responsibilities is essential. This job requires wilderness leadership aptitude, excellent people skills, the ability to oversee projects independently, and strong communication skills. Must be interested in leading trips for people of all abilities, including people with disabilities. Must be willing to keep flexible hours. Life as a WI Trail Staff can be fun, exciting, and incredibly rewarding, but it is also a tremendous amount of responsibility and it can involve a lot of hard and challenging work.

Trip Staff Duties: Responsible for providing leadership on WI trips. The ability to organize, plan, and lead extended trips, single day events, and maintain gear. Skills necessary to lead successful wilderness trips for WI groups include:

• Embrace a "servant leadership" ethic that places the participant first. This includes a willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done, including the physical stamina and personal fortitude to lead groups through all conditions.
• Visually and verbally assessing group needs, capacities and desires in order to safely and effectively meet their needs. Trail Staff must be willing to provide a high level of customer service for all participants.
• Effectively communicate WI policies and procedures to participants in person, via phone or through written means.
• Lift and carry heavy loads over rough terrain for distances of 10 feet to 2 miles. This could range from 30 lb. packs to adult individuals in need of transfer (transfers include, but are not limited to, transferring individuals from wheelchairs to boats). Transfers may need to be done with the assistance of others.
• Proficiently perform activities conducted on WI single day events and extended trips including canoeing, sea kayaking, x-country skiing, dogsledding, etc.
• Navigate safely and accurately over land and water.
• Provide emergency first aid and conduct an evacuation under all conditions likely to be encountered on the trail.
• Work with logistics staff to pack-in/out for wilderness trips including gear & food. Trail Staff must take adequate measures to insure that WI equipment is properly cared for while in use on the trail.
• Safely drive a 15-passenger van pulling a loaded trailer in all weather and road conditions.

Qualifications: Possess current certification in the following:

• Advanced First Aid or equivalent (Wilderness Advanced First Aid or Wilderness First Responder preferred)
• Water Safety (i.e. Lifeguard Training or Wilderness Water Safety, Swift Water Rescue)
• CPR
• A current driver' s license and a safe driving record

For information on how to obtain certifications visit our Links to Certification Organizations and Classes webpage.

Payment/Benefits: Trail Staff are classified according to skill and experience—from assistant to senior trainer.—and compensated on a per trip basis. For example, depending upon classification, a Trail Staff may earn from $175 to $500 for leading a 5-day trip. Typically, two to three staff conduct each trip for group sizes of 10-14 (although this can vary). Opportunities for advancement available upon demonstrated performance with Wilderness Inquiry. Staff housing and other stipends available. (Click Here for more information on "Martha's Place," our staff house)

Additional Questions: Trail Staff and Intern FAQ.

Wilderness Inquiry is an equal opportunity employer.

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