Outdoor Leadership Internship (2026 Season)
About The Position
Join the team at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) as an Outdoor Leadership Intern and gain immersive, hands-on experience inside one of the country’s most established outdoor recreation organizations. The Outdoor Leadership Internship is a 400-hour, field-based leadership development program designed for students pursuing careers in outdoor recreation, parks & recreation, adventure education, and related fields. Interns specialize in one primary discipline: Rafting, Aerial Adventure, or Mountain Biking, while participating in structured leadership training led by NOC department managers and senior leaders. This internship blends real-world guiding responsibilities with professional development, risk management education, and operational exposure across departments.
Requirements
- Enrollment in or recent completion of a degree program related to Outdoor Leadership, Parks & Recreation, Environmental Studies, Recreation Management, Hospitality & Tourism, Experiential Education, or a related field
- Willingness to work outdoors in physically demanding environments
- Availability for seasonal schedule including weekends and holidays
- Ability to participate in leadership development sessions and department rotations
- Commitment to NOC safety standards and guest service expectations
Nice To Haves
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Interest in leadership development and outdoor recreation careers
- Ability to remain calm and professional in dynamic or high-risk environments
- Demonstrated initiative, reliability, and teamwork
- Positive attitude and willingness to receive and apply feedback
Responsibilities
- River operations and logistics
- Guest safety briefings and on-water leadership
- Equipment preparation, maintenance, and breakdown
- Course operations and inspections
- Guest orientation and facilitation
- Safety systems, belays, and rescue procedures
- Managing group dynamics and individual challenges
- Trail operations and maintenance support
- Guided ride facilitation
- Guest skill assessment and coaching
- Risk management and environmental stewardship
- Leadership in high-risk outdoor environments
- Risk management and organizational safety culture
- Communication, guest experience, and conflict resolution
- Team leadership and staff motivation
- Planning, logistics, and daily operations
- Personnel supervision and professional development
- Marketing, branding, and storytelling
- Budgeting, equipment, and resource management
- Guest Services & Reservations
- Retail & Outfitting
- Food & Beverage or Lodging
- Operations & Logistics
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
