Overview: Wild Society is a wilderness education nonprofit based in western WA. Our mission is to cultivate wonder and belonging in the natural world. Our curriculum is built around natural history, basic backpacking and survival skills, and wilderness awareness, taught within a culture of gratitude and respect. Guides must share these values and should have their own strong relationship to the backcountry. All guides are required to adhere to Wild Society policies and practices regarding travel, safety and Covid-19 health policy.
Wild Society backcountry guides are responsible for guiding and teaching youth and adult backpacking trips in the Olympic Mountains. All trips have two guides and up to 10 participants. Wild Society programs follow a daily structure that incorporates reflection, direct instruction, and exploration. Guides engage participants throughout the day to encourage connection with, and deeper understanding of the natural world.
Guide responsibilities:
● Guiding campers ages 12-18 on 3-8 day backcountry trips.
● Guiding weekend adult intro to backpacking trips
● Teaching Wild Society curriculum including; daily structure, basic backpacking skills, leadership, leave-no trace, natural history, and awareness skills.
● Maintaining an environment of safety through adherence to the risk management policies of Wild Society, as well as maintaining a general attitude of safety and risk prevention.
● Leading and teaching in culturally responsive ways to a diverse client base.
● Responding to any emergency that may present.
● Helping with trip/food prep and gear management.
● Adhere to Wild Society’s Covid-19 safety policy.
Required Qualifications and Certifications:
● Experience guiding backcountry trips.
● Strong sense of personal relationship with the natural world.
● Experience working with youth/adults.
● Drive to help the organization continually reexamine practices to center ourselves around justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
● Hold a valid Wilderness First Responder certification prior to start date.
● Hold a valid food workers permit prior to start date. Lead Backcountry Guide: Wild Society Summer 2021 Desired Experience:
● Knowledge of the Olympic Peninsula.
● Ability to observe and communicate phenomena of the natural world.
● Can provide counternarratives of indigenous world view.
● Are familiar with at least some elements of multiple disciplines such as botany and ethnobotany, ecology, geology, ornithology and mammalogy, hydrology, meteorology, and astronomy to weave stories illuminating the inter-relatedness of the natural world and our place within it.
Time commitment:
● Paid weekend staff training June 12-13, 2021.
● June 12- August 18, variable dates. See attached guiding schedule for backcountry dates. Subs for specific trips available.
● Additional flexible dates/hours for pre-trip guide meeting, gear check, food prep, post-trip guide debrief, reporting, reflection, gear management, etc.
Compensation: $20/hour, $150/day in the field.
Full time, variable hours and schedule.
Wild Society will cover up to 50% of WFR certification fees.
Guides are selected based on their training, experience, and availability. We are looking for people who have a tremendous passion for the outdoors, experience working with youth, are comfortable teaching our core curriculum, and believe in our mission as much as we do. Wild Society is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply.
To apply: Please submit a resume and written or recorded (video or audio) statement expressing your guiding experience, personal connection to the natural world, and teaching philosophy to emily@wildsociety.org.
Closing date: Priority deadline March 19, 2021. Open until filled.
Questions? Contact Emily Morgan, Program Director: (858) 344-2576, emily@wildsociety.org
Lead Backcountry Guide: Wild Society Summer 2021
Backcountry Schedule Summer 2021
Staff Training: June 12-13
Youth Session 1: June 21 – June 26
Adult Session 3: July 2-4
Youth Session 2: July 7 – July 9
Youth Session 3: July 12 – July 17
Adult Session 4: July 23 – 25
Youth Session 4: July 28 – July 30
Youth Session 5: August 3 – August 10
Session 5: August 14 – 15