OVERVIEW

At Wilderness Inquiry, we believe that everyone belongs. We work to ensure this belief holds true in our workplace, in our community, and in the outdoors. We pursue this belief through our mission and shared values of paddling together, seeking the exceptional, finding a way, and nurturing inclusion. 

Outdoor Leaders create the magic at Wilderness Inquiry. Leading single to multi-day adventures for adults, youth, and families of all backgrounds and abilities, Outdoor Leaders bring Wilderness Inquiry programming to life in the field. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Canoemobile focuses on introducing youth and young people from historically marginalized communities to their local outdoor spaces. Canoemobile experiences include day trips in the Twin Cities Metro Area and extended national toursranging from 2-12 weeks in length. Caneomobile Outdoor Leaders (OLs) will lead outdoor based field trips that incorporate: canoeing, environmental education activities focused on STEM, natural resources, and historical and cultural interpretation, and team-building. Canoemobile OLs are caring adults who deliver programming that centers social emotional learning. 

We recognize that as an industry, there is much to do to increase representation in our field to reflect the communities we aim to serve. We also know that diversity of identities and experiences results in better solutions for our communities. For this reason, we especially encourage folks from communities who experience systemic barriers — including people of color, women, LGBTQI+, and people with disabilities — to apply for this position.

SCHEDULE & TRAINING

Wilderness Inquiry’s Canoemobile program has seasonal full-time and part-time employment opportunities annually from March to November. Canoemobile OLs are hired on a rolling basis with majority leaders starting at the end of May. For more information, please contact [email protected]

• May 23rd – 26th, 2023: All-staff Wilderness Inquiry foundational training
• May 30th – June 2nd, 2023: All-staff Wilderness Inquiry field training
• June – September: Main programming season consisting of extended overnight trips with optional local Canoemobile day programming. 
• September – October: Opportunities to continue with local Canoemobile day programs as well as transition to regional and national Canoemobile tours.

Qualified applicants will also be asked to participate in Canoe Stern Training & Assessment and Driver Training, if applicable, scheduled at various times before and after the All-Staff training. All new Outdoor Leader hires are contingent upon successful completion of required training.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Group facilitation & environmental education

Caneomobile Outdoor Leaders are responsible for leading participants through a cohesive day of Wilderness Inquiry programming. A leader’s goal is to connect participants with the natural world and each other by providing engaging activities and education. An Outdoor Leader is successful when they:

• Work collaboratively with other staff to build a safe, engaging, and welcoming learning environment.
• Connect and adapt the curriculum to support the learning objectives of the day.
• Demonstrate flexibility and creative problem-solving.
• Create a socially/emotionally supportive learning environment
• Demonstrate an understanding of the variety and complexities of relationships youth and young people may have with the outdoors based on race, gender, experiences, and backgrounds. 
• Accurately and professionally represent the Wilderness Inquiry brand to program partners, participants, media, and the public.

Technical skills & safety

Outdoor Leaders in the field will be expected to perform a variety of technical skills to ensure the safety of staff and participants. These skills include (but are not limited to):

• Provide emergency first aid in an outdoor setting (contingent upon certification). 
• Proficiently perform, or show willingness to learn, activities conducted on trips including North/Tandem canoeing, hiking, camping, etc.
• Safely drive a 15-passenger van pulling a loaded trailer in all weather and road conditions (contingent upon driver eligibility).

Pre-trip & post-trip administrative responsibilities  

To ensure consistency in successful programming and continual growth, Outdoor Leaders will:

• Actively participate in event-specific pre-trip meetings and post-trip debriefings with your team.
• Collaborate and coordinate with operations staff to pack-in and pack-out gear and food accordingly.
• Complete post-trip paperwork including evaluations, incident reports, and trip summaries.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Basic First Aid & CPR Certification (or ability to obtain)
• Desire to lead, motivate, and manage groups of varying ages, abilities, and identities in an outdoor setting 
• Ability to provide excellent customer service
• Ability to work as part of a team 
• Willing to keep flexible hours
• Must pass a background check
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be legally allowed to work in the United States 
• Once hired, attendance at annual Outdoor Leader trainings and any activity-specific training in order to accomplish the position, including: North canoe training and assessment and driver training (if eligible)

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Wilderness Water Safety or Lifeguard (or ability to obtain)
• Active Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Wilderness First Responder, or higher certifications (or ability to obtain)
• Current Driver’s License* and a safe driving record dating back at least five years
• 1 or more seasons or years of professional experience in outdoor recreation or education, leadership or guiding, group facilitation, or other related experience
• Experience working with youth from diverse social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds.
• Proficiency in Spanish, American Sign Language, Hmong, or Somali

*Driver’s license status will not impact eligibility for hire but may impact eligibility to work specific programs/events

For information on how to obtain certifications visit click this link.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; and use hands to handle, or touch objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On a regular occasion the employee may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. Must be able to lift and carry heavy loads up to 50lbs over rough terrain for distances of up to 1,000 feet. To meet the demands of the job, the employee must be able to make loud verbal commands, sit and stand for significant periods of time while also directing vessels such as a canoe, use vision to directionally navigate safely, and endure a wide variety of temperatures and elements. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

COMPENSATION

Outdoor Leaders are classified according to skill and experience. Compensation varies depending upon program type: 

• Day Programs: Hourly compensation on a scale of $17/hr-$20/hr
• Overnight Programs: Compensated on a per event basis on a scale of $136/day-$160/day, plus additional full day of pay for pre-trip preparation work.
• Extended Canoemobile Tour Pay: Compensated for 6 days out of every 7 days spent on tour starting at $136/day, plus hourly pay for pre and post tour work where applicable.

 

Further details on compensation are available upon request. Opportunities for advancement available upon demonstrated performance with Wilderness Inquiry. Professional service stipends available. Staff housing support available. Food budgets and lodging expenses are covered by Wilderness Inquiry on extended Canoemobile tours.

 

All Outdoor Leaders regardless of position/experience are compensated at $17/hr and/or $136/day for training.