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, nurturing inclusion, and finding a way. 

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

POSITION SUMMARY

In addition to ensuring successful, engaging, and welcoming outdoor experiences for participants, Primary Outdoor Leaders are responsible for managing and coaching teams of 1-14+ Outdoor Co-Leaders through in-person programs. Primary Outdoor Leaders’ responsibility extends beyond individual programming events to include pre-trip and post-trip support work and acting as main liaisons between Wilderness Inquiry Trip Directors, Outdoor Leader crews, and  program contacts from partnering organizations. Primary Leaders are true point persons for representing the Wilderness Inquiry mission to colleagues, participants, media, and the public. Daily life as a Primary Outdoor Leader can be fun, exciting, and incredibly rewarding, but it is also a tremendous amount of responsibility that involves hard and challenging work.

SCHEDULE & TRAINING

The below training dates are mandatory for all new hires. New Primary Outdoor Leaders can start onboarding part-time as early as April 24th, with the latest start date of May 17th. 

• May 17th-19th: Primary Leader Training
• May 22th-26th: Outdoor Leader Headquarters Training
• May 30th-June 2nd: Outdoor Leader Field Training

Part-time and full-time seasonal work opportunities continue through fall Canoemobile tours into November with potential part-time winter work available.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Group Facilitation & Education

• Collaborate with your team of Co-Leaders to build a safe, engaging, and welcoming program environment 
• Possess a mastery of the scope and detail of Wilderness Inquiry program content, itineraries, activities, mission, and values, in order to ensure successful, high-quality, and cost effective programming
• Demonstrate an understanding of the variety and complexities of relationships people may have with the outdoors based on backgrounds, identities, and abilities, and support this understanding with Co-Leader teams

Supervision & Leadership

• Build positive team dynamics and assist with implementing conflict management strategies for Outdoor Co-Leader teams
• Effectively lead Outdoor Co-Leader teams and event logistics in order to successfully execute multiple aspects of programs collectively
• Assign and delegate tasks/roles to Co-Leaders appropriately and ensure their completion 
• Provide direct coaching and feedback to Outdoor Co-Leaders 
• Support Outdoor Leader training and facilitate modules as needed 

Communication and Organization

• Work closely with Trip Directors and office staff for all trip planning and implementation needs
• Act as point of contact in the field for Trip Directors, Co-Leaders, group trip contacts, and program participants
• Communicate clearly and effectively to receive and deliver information and feedback
• Demonstrate excellent customer service and professionally represent the Wilderness Inquiry brand to Wilderness Inquiry stakeholders, participants, the media, and the public.

Administrative Pre-Trip Prep & Post-Trip Responsibilities 

• Lead and/or actively participate in 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
• Ensure completion of post-trip paperwork including evaluations, incident reports, site logs, tally forms, and trip summaries
• Actively seek information about trip participants and activities before the start of a trip 
• In partnership with Trip Director, communicate with contract contact and/or program participants before the event to ensure accurate information

On-Trail Technical Skills & Safety

• Ensure program compliance with Wilderness Inquiry policies and risk management procedures
• Provide emergency first aid in an outdoor setting within scope of certification
• Proficiently perform technical 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)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Successfully complete all necessary Wilderness Inquiry required training
• 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
• 2 or more seasons/years of professional experience in outdoor recreation or education, leadership or guiding, group facilitation, or other related experience
• 2 or more seasons/years of experience in a demonstrated leadership or supervisory role
• 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 required training is mandatory. All new Outdoor Leader hires are contingent upon successful completion of required training

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Wilderness Water Safety or Lifeguard Certification (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
• Experience working with individuals from diverse social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds
• Experience working with people with disabilities
• 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 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

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

• Day Programs: Compensated on a per event basis starting at $18.50/hr. 
• Overnight Programs: Compensated on a per event basis starting at $148/day, plus hourly pay for pre-and-post-event work where applicable.
• Extended Canoemobile Tour Pay: Compensated for 6 days out of every 7 days spent on tour starting at $148/day, plus hourly pay for pre and post tour work where applicable.
• Training Pay: All Outdoor Leaders regardless of position/experience are compensated at $17/hr and/or $136/day for training.

 

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