Job Type Temporary
Salary Details $100/day
Required Experience 0 – 1 years

As a Backcountry Trip Assistant, you co-lead educational, fun, and safe backpacking trips via our Opal Creek Expeditions program. Small groups traverse miles of backcountry trail, summit ridgelines and peaks, and visit subalpine lakes and streams, all with you and one Backcountry Trip Leader as their guide. As you bring your unique energy and enthusiasm to the backcountry, you’ll see that spread to each group, creating lasting memories.

Specific responsibilities of the position are listed below:

  • Co-lead Youth, Adult, and Private Expeditions of up to 10 participants in the Oregon wilderness*
  • Teach backcountry skills: navigation, backcountry cooking, Leave No Trace principles, etc.
  • Facilitate activities that build confidence, leadership, and teamwork
  • Customize each trip to group and individual needs and interests
  • Teach observational science
  • Prepare food and gear for each upcoming trip
  • Organize and clean gear for the following trip
  • Photograph participants in the backcountry for Opal Creek social media
  • Integrate learnings from each trip to future Opal Creek Expeditions

*During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have three categories of Expedition offerings and you will co-lead a combination of all three: 1. Youth Expeditions (5-days, ages 10-18), 2. Adult Expeditions (3-days, ages 18+), and 3. Private Expeditions (3-days, all ages consisting of one pod/COVID-bubble). In all Opal Creek Expeditions we adhere to recommended guidelines by the CDC, State of Oregon, and Oregon Health Authority.

Requirements of Position

  • 1+ years working with youth in a camp setting, or equivalent experience
  • Strong group management skills
  • Backpacking experience, personal or professional
  • Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion through past job experience, personal activism, or other pertinent experience
  • Able to lead groups on hikes up to 10 miles with heavy packs
  • Wilderness First Aid certification (by time of employment)
  • COVID-19 vaccine (by time of employment) or willingness to take frequent COVID-19 tests
  • Able to pass a background check
  • Current driver’s license

Compensation

  • $100/day: ~8 days on, 5 days off
  • Food provided while leading trips
  • Housing not provided
  • Mileage reimbursement to/from trailheads
HOW TO APPLY

Please fill out an application with a resume attached by visiting our website: https://www.opalcreek.org/about/employment/. Be sure to address any pertinent experience relevant to this position, including professional and personal experience. This position is open until filled.

There are two rounds of virtual interviews for this position. We begin interviews April 5th, we will offer the position by May 1st, and all Opal Creek Expedition staff start June 7th, 2021.

Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.