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

Our Little Sand Bay Sea Kayak staff introduce the skills and pleasure of paddling and hiking in the beautiful Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Adventures range from 1-14 days, and begin and end at our Little Sand Bay Base Camp near Bayfield, Wisconsin. Some staff choose to live, at no cost, at the base camp during the season, while others will be based out of St. Paul and commute for each trip. 

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, 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, LGBTQI+ and people with disabilities – to apply for this position.

SCHEDULE & TRAINING:

• May 23rd – 26th, 2023: All-staff Wilderness Inquiry foundational training
• May 30th – June 2nd, 2023: All-staff Wilderness Inquiry field training
• June 3rd – June 7th, 2023: Kayak skills training (staff can choose to participate in an optional ACA Level 2 certification upon completion of this training.)
• June – September: Main programming season consisting of extended overnight trips with optional local, Twin Cities Canoemobile day programming. 
• September – October: Opportunities to continue with local, Twin Cities Canoemobile day programs as well as transition to regional and national Canoemobile tours.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The primary responsibility of Outdoor Leaders is to serve participants and ensure the safety, quality and cost-effectiveness of Wilderness Inquiry experiences. Outdoor Leaders are responsible for the lives and wellbeing of Wilderness Inquiry participants throughout a Wilderness Inquiry adventure. Life as a Wilderness Inquiry Outdoor Leader 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.

Group Facilitation 

• Provide excellent leadership for adults, youth, and families
• Use effective judgment and decision making regarding trip implementation
• Uphold Wilderness Inquiry’s Trail Community Agreements
• Accurately and professionally represent the Wilderness Inquiry brand to program partners, participants, media, and the public.

On-Trail Technical Skills & Safety

• Assess participant ability and expectations to safely and effectively meet individual and group needs.
• Provide emergency first aid and conduct and/or assist in back-country medical needs including evacuations.
• Care for equipment while in the backcountry and at base camp.
• Proficiently perform activities conducted on Wilderness Inquiry trips including navigating routes in the front and backcountry, cooking, kayaking, 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 Prep & Post-Trip Paperwork 

• Work with logistical staff to pack-in and pack-out gear and food.
• Complete post trip paperwork including evaluations, incident reports and trip summaries.

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• A minimum of Basic First Aid & CPR (or ability to obtain). 
  • Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) preferred 
  • Staff must possess a WFA or WFR to be eligible for promotion in kayak leadership.
• Wilderness Water Safety, Lifeguard or other Professional Rescuer
• 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 required in order to accomplish the position including: North canoe training and assessment and driver training (if eligible)

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

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 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 and adults 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

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 or kayak, 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.

 

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.

 

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