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Outdoor Guide Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Forklift Operator - Yard Team

Iowa City, IA · On-site

$16.50 - $19.25/hr

Guide truck traffic and support safe movement of vehicles * Follow all OSHA, safety, and ... Work in outdoor weather conditions, including extreme hot or cold temperatures * Work near moving ...

State Park Technician

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$41K - $61K/yr

Gull Point provides a pleasing, shaded setting on West Okoboji Lake with numerous outdoor ... Hike along the western portion of Gull Point State Park on a 1.3-mile self-guided interpretative ...

Guided by the Lead Educator, Director, and Administration, they play an active role in daily ... Interact with children daily through circle time, free play, meals, outdoor play, and structured ...

Assistant Educator

Marion, IA · On-site

$14 - $16/hr

Guided by the Lead Educator, Director, and Administration, they play an active role in daily ... Interact with children daily through circle time, free play, meals, outdoor play, and structured ...

Assistant Educator

Waukee, IA · On-site

$14 - $16/hr

Guided by the Lead Educator, Director, and Administration, they play an active role in daily ... Interact with children daily through circle time, free play, meals, outdoor play, and structured ...

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Outdoor Guide information

See Iowa salary details

$7

$18

$37

How much do outdoor guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for outdoor guide in Iowa is $18.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.88 and $18.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are outdoor guides?

Outdoor guides are professionals who lead individuals or groups on outdoor adventures such as hiking, rafting, climbing, fishing, or camping. They are responsible for ensuring the safety of participants, sharing knowledge about the environment, and providing instruction on techniques and equipment. Outdoor guides often have specialized training in first aid, navigation, and natural history. Their goal is to create enjoyable, educational, and safe experiences in various outdoor settings.

What is the difference between Outdoor Guide vs Hiking Instructor?

AspectOutdoor GuideHiking Instructor
CertificationsFirst Aid, CPR, outdoor activity certificationsFirst Aid, CPR, outdoor activity certifications
Work EnvironmentOutdoor settings, various terrains, group supervisionDesignated hiking trails, group instruction, outdoor
Employer & IndustryTour companies, adventure tourism, outdoor recreationOutdoor education centers, adventure programs, outdoor recreation
Search & Comparison IntentPeople seeking outdoor adventure jobs or toursIndividuals interested in outdoor education or guiding hikes

While both roles involve outdoor activities and safety certifications, an Outdoor Guide typically leads various outdoor adventures across different terrains, focusing on guiding groups through activities like rafting, climbing, or camping. A Hiking Instructor specializes in teaching hiking skills, leading groups on trails, and providing outdoor education specifically related to hiking. Both roles require similar certifications and work environments but differ in scope and activity focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Outdoor Guide, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Outdoor Guide, you need expertise in outdoor skills, navigation, first aid, and a solid understanding of environmental safety, often supported by certifications like Wilderness First Responder or Leave No Trace. Familiarity with GPS devices, mapping software, and specialized gear for activities such as hiking, kayaking, or climbing is typically required. Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities help guides manage groups and respond calmly to unexpected situations. These skills ensure the safety, enjoyment, and education of participants while minimizing risks in dynamic outdoor environments.

What are some common challenges Outdoor Guides face during group excursions, and how can they be managed?

Outdoor Guides often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing weather, varying group fitness levels, and maintaining group safety in remote environments. Effective Outdoor Guides stay prepared with contingency plans, adapt itineraries on the fly, and communicate clearly with participants to ensure everyone understands expectations and safety procedures. Building rapport and fostering teamwork within diverse groups is also key for a positive and safe experience.
What are popular job titles related to Outdoor Guide jobs in Iowa? For Outdoor Guide jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Outdoor Guide jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Outdoor Guide jobs in Iowa are:
Infographic showing various Outdoor Guide job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, and 21% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,497 per year, or $18.5 per hour.
Recruiting Specialist

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

About Wright Service Corp:

Wright Service Corp. is a prominent leader in several environmental services industries, providing integrated vegetation management, forest management and reforestation, technology solutions, environmental and agricultural sustainability consulting, commercial environmental services, residential and commercial landscaping, tree care, interiorplantscaping, and other outdoor and indoor services.

The Wright family of companies includes Wright Tree Service, Wright Outdoor Solutions, Eocene Environmental Group, Eocene Environmental Group of the West, Wright Tree Service of the West, Wright Tree Service of Puerto Rico, Wright Canada Holdings, and commonly seen brands, such as Spectrum Resource Group,ArborCareand Verdure Elements.

Wright Service Corp. has been employee-owned since 2002 andheadquarteredin Central Iowa since 1933, when Wright Tree Service was founded by John L. Wright.

Job Summary:

Recruiting Specialist is an experienced Recruiting Specialist that manages specialized recruiting for assigned areas, partners with hiring managers to define needs and selection criteria and develops targeted sourcing strategies. This role operates with moderate autonomy, delivering high-quality hires while improving recruiting effectiveness and candidate experience.

Essential Job Duties:

  • Own full-cycle recruiting for high-volume, recurring, hard-to-fill roles, driving consistent delivery of high-quality candidates while improving time-to-fill, pipeline health, and candidate experience.

  • Lead intake meetings to define role requirements, align on workforce needs, and interview plans, and provide insight driven recommendations that support consistent and effective hiring outcomes.

  • Draft and refine job descriptions and postings in partnership with managers; ensure clarity, inclusivity, and alignment with company standards.

  • Proactively source candidates (e.g., LinkedIn, resume databases, referrals, networking) and build diverse pipelines.

  • Screen and interview candidates; present qualified shortlists and provide recommendations to guide structured selection and debriefs.

  • Advise on compensation ranges and offers within established guidelines; coordinate offer approvals and extend offers as appropriate.

  • Manage pre-employment and onboarding handoffs; ensure timely completion of background, drug testing, and other requirements.

  • Analyze recruiting metrics (e.g. time-to-fill, source effectiveness, candidate pipeline, hiring volume, and workforce trends) and translate data into actionable insights to guide hiring strategies and inform decision-making with hiring managers.

  • Maintain compliance with company policies and applicable laws; ensure accurate, complete data in Workday.

  • Support the development and coordination of recruiting training content for hiring managers, including interview process guidance, Workday usage, and selection best practices.

  • Contribute to process improvements, knowledge sharing, and team initiatives; may mentor or provide guidance to Recruiting Specialist I team members.

  • Demonstrate advanced proficiency in Workday recruiting functionality and reporting.

Other Duties:

  • Position will require travel to train, assist with in-person onboarding events, and represent the organization at career fairs.

  • Perform other job-related duties as assigned to support business priorities.

Knowledge, Skills & Ability Requirements:

  • Proven experience in candidate sourcing, screening, interviewing, and selection.

  • Strong consultative skills with the ability to influence hiring decisions and set expectations with managers.

  • Ability to independently manage multiple requisitions and competing priorities.

  • Working knowledge of compliance requirements and recruiting best practices; strong attention to data quality.

  • Business acumen and growing understanding of division-specific operations and contracts.

  • Skilled in building inclusive, diverse talent pipelines and applying structured selection methods.

Education, Certification & Experience Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field

  • Minimum 3 - 5 years of full-cycle recruiting experience

  • Familiarity with ATS/HRIS systems (Workday preferred)

Benefit Summary:

Full-Time employees within Wright Service Corp are eligible for the following:

  • Medical (HDHP & PPO), Dental, and Vision

  • 401k and 401k match

  • ESOP (Employee Ownership Program)

  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick, Floating Holidays)

  • Paid Parental & Family Care Leave

  • Company Paid STD, LTD, and Life Insurance

  • Paid Volunteer Time

  • And More...

Learn more at www.thewrightbenefits.com

Wright Service Corp. employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

https://wrightservicecorp.com/privacy-policy