Backpacking Trip Leader Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $21.50 - $22.50 Hourly
Location : College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University - St. Joseph, MN
Job Type: Non-Exempt, Support Staff, Full Time
Job Number: 02243
Department: Outdoor University - SJU
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Position Summary
The Outdoor University at Saint John's University invites applications for a full-time (0.92 FTE), benefit eligible position of Outdoor Education Program Assistant.
The Outdoor Education Program Assistant is responsible for supporting outdoor education programming while working with the Outdoor Education Program Manager. Responsibilities include supervising, supporting, and training students in various areas including campus climbing wall, outdoor orientation and trips, and other event programming. This is an eleven-month position with the possibility of flexible work including four-day work weeks.
Please visit our website for more information about all we offer. Application review will begin in early September with interviews starting mid-September. Position will begin on 11/2/26.
Why Join Us?
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 18 Paid Holidays Annually
• Generous Vacation and Sick Leave
• Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Tuition Remission for Eligible Dependents
• Employer Contributions to a Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program with access to free or discounted counseling, legal guidance, financial coaching, and more

Join a committed team dedicated to safety, community, and service in a supportive and values-driven work environment.
To learn more about our benefits, visit csbsju.edu/jobs.
Institutional Inclusion Visioning Statement
The College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John's University (SJU) believe that an excellent liberal arts education requires an understanding and appreciation of cultural difference and that everyone deserves to feel safe and morally valued. To that end, we will challenge our own practices and systems. Our commitment to an inclusive environment will be incorporated into all decision-making processes. We dedicate ourselves to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons.
CSB and SJU offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits program (click the benefits tab above the position summary section to view more information). For further information regarding our institutions, visit
The posted wage represents CSB and SJU's good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon several factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, and skills, and may fall outside of the range indicated.
Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of student leaders in the Outdoor Leadership Center (OLC). Provide instruction in leadership development, outdoor skills, teambuilding facilitation, trip logistics, and risk management while supporting the goals of Outdoor University's Curricular Education Plan.
• Develop climbing wall student leaders through training in climbing instruction, safety standards, outdoor climbing skills, leadership development, route setting, and trip leadership. Coordinate community group access to the climbing wall and ensure compliance with Climbing Wall Association (CWA) standards and best practices.
• Supervise climbing wall operations, including equipment inspections, staff training, working at heights up to 40 feet, and supporting climbing-related programs and events.
• Support outdoor pre-orientation programs by training student leaders, assisting with emergency response procedures, and coordinating program assessments that contribute to Outdoor University learning outcomes.
• Help plan, train, and attend student trips over fall, winter, and spring breaks which may include travel to wilderness areas, camping, backpacking, canoeing, skiing, rock climbing, and similar activities.
• Respond to and address potential emergency situations, possibly in remote wilderness areas.
• Recruit, hire, train, and manage outdoor education student staff and volunteers.
• Involvement with a range of on-campus events with the intent of facilitating student-leadership development.
• Promote Outdoor U programming through the creation and distribution of marketing materials, tabling events, and community outreach.
• Assist with the development and revision of training materials, facilitation guides, and operational manuals for adventure trips, student staff training, pre-orientation experiences, climbing wall operations, and the OLC.
• Assist in creating and coordinating experiential learning opportunities on and off campus that support the True North Journey, the colleges' signature four-year student development experience.
• Attend and participate in professional conferences, workshops, and training related to outdoor education.
• Research and advocate for new student-focused learning opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent education and experience.
• Experience working with rock climbing or challenge course equipment, including belaying, inspecting equipment, and operating at height.
• Experience in outdoor education, environmental education, camp leadership, or a similar field preferred.
• Experience with facilitating teambuilding, conflict resolution, and training people in these activities preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency in outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, camping, orienteering, canoeing/kayaking, and wilderness survival.
• Comfortable recreating, traveling, and camping in remote wilderness areas for extended periods with limited to no cellular service.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and challenges in outdoor settings.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate participants and staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of presenting ideas clearly to diverse groups.
• Basic computer skills and willingness to learn new software and technology platforms.
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training or willingness to obtain certification within six months of hire.
• Climbing Wall Association Level 2 Instructor certification required within six months of hire.
• Candidates must be at least 25 years old to meet insurance requirements for driving students on out-of-state trips. They must also maintain a valid driver's license and complete a university-sponsored defensive driving program upon hire.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight trips as needed.

Physical requirements:

• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in variable weather conditions.
• Ability to stand, walk, hike, bend, kneel, crouch, climb, and reach for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull equipment and supplies weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to participate in and lead outdoor activities that may involve hiking, backpacking, camping, canoeing, climbing, and other physically demanding activities.
• Ability to work at heights and safely utilize fall protection or climbing safety equipment as required, including climbing wall operations up to 40 feet above ground level.

Travel requirements:

• Some travel between the campuses of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University.
• Occasional multi-day travel and outdoor camping for student adventure trips, conferences, and related.

To Apply
Applications are accepted online by clicking on "Apply." Candidates are asked to complete the application form and submit a cover letter and resume.
If you require an accommodation to participate in the SJU hiring process, please contact Human Resources at (320) 363-5500 or
It is the policy of SJU to conduct a pre-employment background check. An offer of employment is contingent upon a successful background check. Saint John's University also utilizes E-Verify as part of its onboarding process to confirm work authorization.
Saint John's University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employers.
The College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University (CSB/SJU) provides a comprehensive fringe benefit program. This brochure provides a summary of the current benefits offered at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Employees are eligible for coverage in the health insurance plan on the first of the month following date of hire. If you elect medical coverage for yourself, you may also choose to cover your eligible dependents. The employee and CSB/SJU share in the cost of this benefit.
DENTAL INSURANCE
Employees are eligible for coverage in the dental insurance plan on the first of the month following date of hire. If you elect dental coverage for yourself, you may also choose to cover your eligible dependents. The employee and CSB/SJU share in the cost of this benefit.
LIFE INSURANCE
CSB/SJU provides a Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) policy to employees. This insurance is effective on the first of the month following date of hire. The amount of term insurance provided is based on your annual salary.
You may also purchase additional life insurance in increments of one, two, three, or four times your annual salary. There is also a dependent life insurance package available.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY
After one year of benefit eligible employment, CSB/SJU provides disability coverage in the event of an illness or injury that prevents you from working.
VACATION
Paid vacation is accrued based upon FTE and the number of years employed. Vacation is cumulative from year to year to a maximum of 240 hours.
Employees working 100% time receive the following:
Vacation days per year Years employed
16 days 1-10 years
20 days 11+ years
HOLIDAYS
Full-time employees receive 18 paid holidays a year.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS
HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT
These plans allow employees to set aside part of their salary on a pre-tax basis to pay for IRS approved expenses.
VISION PLAN
This voluntary plan offers affordable vision coverage for routine eye exams, eyeglass lenses and frames, and contact lenses. Discounts on hearing exams and hearing aids are also included.
TUITION REMISSION
Tuition remission is an educational benefit provided by CSB/SJU. A full time employee and spouse (if applicable) are eligible for tuition free educational benefits the first full semester after six months of employment. Full time employees may enroll for one undergraduate course per term, which includes summer; up to a maximum of 2 courses per year.
There is also a tuition remission program for dependent children of full time employees. This program provides a financial resource to a son or daughter for meeting the tuition costs of undergraduate education. Eligibility begins the fall or spring semester following 2 years (24 months) of continuous full-time employment.There are also two consortia programs in which CSB/SJU participate where employees' children may apply for scholarships to attend other colleges/universities.
Tuition assistance is also available at Saint John's Preparatory School for the dependents of full-time employees.
PARENTAL LEAVE
A paid leave (up to 15 days) will be granted to eligible employees upon the birth or adoption of a child, pro-rated based on FTE. New employees are eligible for this benefit after twelve months of employment.
SICK LEAVE
Full-time employees earn up to 9 days of sick leave per year, pro-rated based on FTE.
Sick leave is cumulative from year to year up to a maximum of 720 hours (90 days). Employees may also use accumulated personal sick leave to care for ill family members.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free counseling resource available to
all employees and immediate family members.
RETIREMENT
Defined Contribution Plan
CSB/SJU provides a retirement program for all qualified full time employees. The program is administered by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA).
Enrollment in the retirement plan will be effective the first day of the month following the date of hire unless the employee elects to opt-out.
The employee/employer contributions are as follows:
Year Employee Contribution CSB/SJU Contribution
1 3% 1%
2 3% 3%
3 3% 5%
4 3% 7%
5 3% 9%
Supplemental Tax Deferred Annuity Plan
In addition to the regular plan, a benefit eligible employee may voluntarily elect to contribute to this plan.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Saint John's University College of Saint Benedict
Human Resources Office Human Resources Office
Quadrangle 127 Schoenecker
Collegeville, MN 56321 St. Joseph, MN 56374
Phone (320) 363-5500 Phone (320) 363-5500
Fax (320) 363-6092 Fax (320) 363-6092
* Benefits subject to change annually Revised 11/22/24
01
Are you a U.S. citizen or legally eligible to hold employment in the U.S.? If you are offered employment, you will be required to complete a certification form and supply