Backpacking Instructor

Outward Bound California • Midpines, CA

21h • Onsite

About The Position

Outward Bound California is hiring a seasonal Backpacking Instructor for its High Sierra program in Midpines, California. The instructor facilitates transformative backpacking and/or rock climbing courses for students ages 12 and older. Expeditions last 5–30 days and take place in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Sierra National Forest, and Yosemite National Park. With mentorship from Lead Instructors and Course Directors, instructors teach technical skills such as map-and-compass navigation and facilitate social-emotional learning on topics including leadership, community, and personal growth.

The position is seasonal and exempt, with a starting wage of $145 per day. Required training begins in early May and is paid at $140 per day. New staff are expected to work through mid-September and can generally expect 60–80 workdays per season, including training. Staff may also request work at the Joshua Tree location from late October through early April, depending on work availability. Pay is based on skills and experience; consideration for a higher position or alternative training may be discussed case by case.

Food and housing are provided to staff at the Midpines basecamp, approximately 30 miles from Yosemite National Park. The basecamp is in the Sierra Nevada foothills at about 2,500 feet, where high summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F. Facilities include an office, program gear storage sheds, a commercial kitchen, and weatherport living quarters.

Outward Bound California is a nonprofit in the Outward Bound USA network. Its outdoor education programs use challenging experiences to develop social-emotional skills and encourage participants to reflect on how they contribute to their communities and the world. The organization is committed to expanding access to outdoor spaces, advancing equity and belonging, and creating an inclusive culture where staff are respected for their identities and lived experiences.

Requirements

• Passion for working with youth, especially teens and middle schoolers.
• Deep understanding of and personal commitment to equity and inclusion in the outdoors.
• Lived experience or experience working with the target audience, including people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to role-model inclusive behavior, build a positive group culture, and maintain a learner’s mindset.
• At least 30 nights of experience on multi-day backcountry trips, combining personal and professional experience if applicable.
• Comfort navigating with map and compass on- and off-trail while leading a group through varied alpine terrain and environmental conditions.
• Familiarity with basic campcraft, including tarp setup, environmental stewardship, and backcountry cooking.
• Rock climbing and belaying experience, including instructing people on harness and helmet fitting and performing safety checks.
• Ability to participate in course activities while maintaining the energy, strength, and focus needed to support students and co-instructors.
• Ability to lift and move at least 40 pounds and carry a pack weighing 25–35% of body weight.
• Ability in an emergency to move over varied terrain at a speed of 3 or more miles per hour.
• Ability to maintain composure, exercise sound judgment, and assess and mitigate risk under stress.
• By the start date, Wilderness First Responder and CPR/AED certifications.
• By the start date, California Epinephrine Auto-Injector Certification.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Must be willing to authorize a federal and Live Scan background check and provide current TB screening/test results; costs are paid or reimbursed by OBCA.

Nice To Haves

• AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) certification and/or other single-pitch guiding experience.
• Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor certification.

Responsibilities

• Assist with course planning, including educational curricula, route planning, food and equipment organization, and packing.
• Teach and coach outdoor skills and social-emotional skills to students of different ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
• Participate in all required training.
• Model inclusive behavior and build a positive group culture with an equity lens.
• Give and receive quality feedback with coworkers and supervisors.
• Maintain student safety in technical terrain and varied environmental hazards by being aware of personal skills and experience, communicating transparently, and adapting plans as needed.
• Manage student groups during emergencies and follow local operating procedures, safety policies, and emergency procedures in the staff manual.
• Uphold Outward Bound’s zero-tolerance policy for child abuse and neglect.

Benefits

• Room and board provided while on contract.
• Pro deals that allow staff to purchase outdoor gear at discounted rates.
• Access to OBCA professional development funds and reimbursement for required WFR and CPR re-certifications and the SPI exam.
• Eligible to enroll in a 401(k) after one year from the start date.
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for the employee and their family or household.
• 56 hours (7 days) of paid sick time upon hire or at the beginning of each calendar year.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed