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CAREERS

Opportunities at Wilderness Inquiry

Our staff are dedicated professionals who come from all backgrounds, skill sets, and interests, but share a common goal of making sure everyone belongs in the outdoors. Through our values our staff promote inclusion in a variety of settings around the world.

As we continue to grow and learn more about what it means to make the outdoors truly inclusive, we acknowledge that representation matters. We are dedicating ourselves to continued cultural and operational improvements to make our workplace welcoming to applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. We also know that diversity of identities, experiences and ways of thinking result in better solutions for our communities. For this reason, we especially encourage applicants from communities who experience systemic barriers – including people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ and people with disabilities – to apply for our positions.

Whether you're an expert or beginner in outdoor recreation and education (or not particularly outdoorsy at all!), there is a place for you at Wilderness Inquiry.

The following positions are currently available at Wilderness Inquiry:

Job Title Job Type View Online Application
Canoemobile Outdoor Leader Part-time/Seasonal Job Description & FAQs Apply Now
Little Sand Bay Sea Kayak Outdoor Leader Part-time/Seasonal Job Description & FAQs Apply Now
Virtual Explorer Outdoor Leader Part-time/Seasonal Job Description & FAQs Apply Now
Extended Trip Outdoor Leader Part-time/Seasonal Job Description & FAQs Apply Now

**Additional seasonal and part-time positions for the 2023 program season will be posted in the coming months. 

Wilderness Inquiry is an equal opportunity employer.

Wilderness Inquiry prohibits discrimination against any participant, applicant, volunteer, intern, or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, marital or military status, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other protected class under law.

Which seasonal or part-time position is right for you? Learn more below!

You don’t have to be “outdoorsy” or a wilderness expert to find your place at Wilderness Inquiry!

New to outdoor recreation? A deep knowledge of or experience with the outdoors is not necessary for many of our positions, including some Outdoor Leader roles, where you are paired with an experienced guide!

Have a full-time job elsewhere but love adventure? We are flexible – many of our Outdoor Leaders have found balance by only leading one or two trips a year- we'll work with you and your schedule to make it possible!

Seeking seasonal or part-time work? Many of our positions accommodate a seasonal or part-time commitment, making them perfect for students or retirees looking for a part-time passion project.

Seasonal & Part-Time Positions

Canoemobile Outdoor Leader Expand

A person in this role: 

  • Has a passion for working with diverse groups of participants
  • Likes to be outside, but may or may not be outdoorsy
  • Enjoys learning and sharing knowledge with others, especially kids! 
  • May prefer to work local day trips or may be interested in extended tours across the country!
  • May want to canoe, or may be more interested in land-based activities only

Compensation: $14-$20 per hour for day programs. $672-$960 per week for extended tours. Free staff housing in Minneapolis available!

Date range: March - November (limited winter work available)

Time Commitment: Part or Full-time, Seasonal

Extended Trip Outdoor Leader Expand

A person in this role: 

  • Has a passion for working with a diverse group of participants 
  • May or may not be an outdoor recreation expert (we’ll teach you, but you do gotta be pretty outdoorsy for this one)
  • Enjoys “roughin it” in the backcountry
  • Is willing to travel far and wide for an extended period of time, or may prefer to lead extended trips nearby
  • Doesn’t shy away from a challenge (You may be known for your perfectly roasted s’mores mallow, but have you mastered a vegan one?)

Compensation: $112-$160 per day on trail (plus one additional day of pay per extended trip worked.) Free staff housing available in Minneapolis, MN!

Date range: May - September (potential to work other programs through November with limited winter work available)

Time Commitment: Part or Full-time, Seasonal

Sea Kayak Outdoor Leader Expand

A person in this role: 

  • Has a passion for working with a diverse group of participants 
  • Has some outdoor recreation experience, but may or may not be an experienced kayaker (we’ll teach you!)
  • May enjoy backcountry camping, or may be more of a “glamper” (glamorous camper!) 
  • May be looking for a paid, outdoor adventure from their full-time job or a seasonal gig
  • Is excited about free housing in the Apostle Islands, or may prefer to commute from the Twin Cities
  • Never gets tired of spending weekends on “the big lake” (Lake Superior!)

Compensation: $112-$160 per day (plus one additional day of pay per extended trip worked). Free staff housing (yurt) available at our Little Sand Bay Basecamp in Wisconsin!

Date range: May - August (potential to work other programs through November with limited winter work available)

Time Commitment: Part or Full-time, Seasonal

Operations Assistant - Food & Kitchen Expand

A person in this role: 

  • May be an entry level professional
  • Looking for a day job
  • May or may not be outdoorsy (thumbs-up to air conditioning!) 
  • Likes working independently with multi-step procedures
  • Really vibes with being organized

Compensation: $14 per hour

Date range: May/June - August/September

Time Commitment: Full-time, Seasonal

Operations Assistant - Equipment & Warehouse Expand

A person in this role: 

  • May be an entry level professional
  • Likes being outside but may or may not be outdoorsy
  • Doesn’t mind getting a little dirty
  • Has an aptitude for hands-on logistics
  • Perhaps finds joy in being a “gear nerd”

Compensation: $14 per hour

Date range: May/June - August/September

Time Commitment: Full-time, Seasonal

Basecamp Coordinator Expand

A person in this role: 

  • Is excited about living and working outdoors in the beautiful Apostle Islands
  • Loves hands-on projects and has an aptitude for maintenance and logistics
  • May or may not have experience in outdoor recreation
  • Is most happy when working with their hands and solving problems
  • Smiles at the opportunity and challenge of making their mark on a 40 acre base camp

Compensation: $14-$16 per hour. Free staff housing (yurt) available at our Little Sand Bay Basecamp in Wisconsin!

Date range: May - August (potential to work other programs through November with limited winter work available)

Time Commitment: Full-time, Seasonal

Sea Kayak Program Manager Expand

A person in this role: 

  • Is excited about living and working outdoors in the beautiful Apostle Islands
  • Has experience and an aptitude for outdoor recreation and program management
  • Has experience overseeing a team of independent leaders
  • Is familiar with risk management in kayaking on big water and backcountry camping 
  • Willing to call an off-grid, private yurt ‘home’ for the summer!

Compensation: $800 - $1000 per week. Free staff housing (yurt) available at our Little Sand Bay Basecamp in Wisconsin!

Date range: May - August (potential to work other programs through November with limited winter work available)

Time Commitment: Full-time, Seasonal

Outdoor Fellowship Expand

A person in this role: 

  • Is brand new to outdoor recreation/education and wants to get their foot in the door
  • May or may not be outdoorsy
  • Is a young adult 18 years old or older
  • Comes from a background/identity underrepresented in outdoor careers
  • Looking for a way to jump start their career
  • Wants a chance to experience everything Wilderness Inquiry has to offer and more

Compensation: $6,496 per ten-week program. Free staff housing and transportation support in Minneapolis, MN.

Date range: May 24th - August 14th (may transition to an Outdoor Leader position Aug 15th and onward)

Time Commitment: Full-time for 10 week program

Photography Internship Expand

A person in this role: 

  • Has some photography experience and their own camera equipment
  • Outdoorsy enough to be comfortable joining extended trips in the backcountry
  • Is self directed
  • Has a passion for telling a story through images
  • Willing to pitch in and help out co-leaders on-trail when needed

Compensation: $14 per hour for day work, $112 per day for extended trips (plus $14/hr for photo editing, etc)

Date range: May - October

Time Commitment: Part or Full-time, Seasonal

General Internship Expand

A person in this role: 

  • Tells us what they want to do!
  • May be looking to satisfy a secondary education requirement
  • Willing to participate in required training if necessary
  • Willing to learn and jump in anywhere
  • May be interested in either working locally, or on extended trips, or both!

Compensation: Situational (some school programs pay interns stipends, but we recognize not everyone completes an internship for school. If you are looking for an introductory experience to the outdoor profession, this role may be a good fit for you. Let us know your situation when you apply).

Date range: May - October, limited availability from November-April

Time Commitment: Part or Full-time, Seasonal

Volunteer Roles Expand

Youth Educator, 10-Person Canoe Boat Captain, Safety Boat Operator, Extended Trip Assistant (TA), Extended Trip Personal Care Attendant (PCA), Sign Language Interpreter (SLI), Operations Helper, and more!

A person in this role: 

  • Has a passion for working with a diversity of participants 
  • Comes from any stage in life
  • Willing to donate their time to make a difference
  • May or may not be outdoorsy- there’s a role for everyone!
  • Not looking for a paid job- just wants to get involved!

Compensation: N/A (Trip Assistants may be required to pay a reduced fee to go on certain trips)

Date range: Year-round, however limited availability from November-April

Time Commitment: Flexible

Check out our Volunteer page for more information about each role!

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Mailing Address: 1611 County Rd B West Suite 315 - St. Paul, MN 55113 - Office Location: 325 Randolph Ave, Suite 300 - St. Paul, MN 55102

Phone: (612) 676-9400 Fax: (612) 676-9401 Email: [email protected]

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