ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Outdoor Instructor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

CHADWICK SCHOOL

Outdoor Education Instructor

CA · On-site

$20/hr

Outdoor Education Instructor Grades 7-12 Chadwick School, Palos Verdes Peninsula POSITION OVERVIEW Chadwick Outdoor Education (COE) instructors facilitate outdoor experiences for students, helping ...

Canyons School District

$89.24/hr

... Outdoor Recreation Applicant Pool. We are accepting applications on an on-going basis for future consideration into the Applicant Pool. When no review date is listed for an Adjunct Instructor ...

Driving School

Be Seen First

Driving Instructor

San Jose, CA · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Driving Instructor Driving Instructor Wanted - Santa Clara County We are hiring a driving ... If you prefer working outdoors and want a flexible job, this is perfect for you! We've been in ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsOutdoor Instructor JobsOutdoor Instructor Jobs in California

Outdoor Instructor information

See California salary details

$13

$23

$44

How much do outdoor instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for outdoor instructor in California is $23.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.19 and $23.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What qualifications do I need to be an outdoor instructor?

To become an outdoor instructor, candidates typically need relevant certifications such as Wilderness First Aid or CPR, along with experience in outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, or kayaking. Many employers also require a background check and good communication skills, with some positions favoring formal training or certifications in specific activities or safety procedures.

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

To thrive as an Outdoor Instructor, you need expertise in outdoor activities, risk management, safety procedures, and typically hold relevant certifications such as Wilderness First Aid or instructor qualifications in specific activities (e.g., climbing, kayaking). Familiarity with equipment like harnesses, GPS devices, and communication tools is essential, alongside adherence to local and national safety standards. Outstanding leadership, adaptability, and strong communication enhance your ability to instruct and inspire diverse groups. These skills ensure participant safety, effective learning, and positive outdoor experiences.

What are some common challenges faced by outdoor instructors and how can they be addressed?

Outdoor Instructors often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather, varying group skill levels, and ensuring participant safety in dynamic environments. Successfully addressing these challenges requires strong risk assessment skills, adaptability, and clear communication with participants and co-instructors. Building a supportive team culture and preparing contingency plans can also help instructors manage unexpected situations while maintaining a positive and educational experience for everyone involved.

What is an outdoor instructor?

Outdoor instructors are professionals who lead, teach, and supervise individuals or groups in outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, canoeing, or camping. They are responsible for ensuring safety, teaching technical skills, and fostering teamwork and respect for the natural environment. Outdoor instructors often work with schools, adventure companies, or youth organizations, adapting activities to suit participants’ abilities and goals. Their role requires both technical expertise and strong communication skills.

What is the difference between Outdoor Instructor vs Camp Counselor?

AspectOutdoor InstructorCamp Counselor
Required CertificationsFirst Aid, CPR, outdoor activity certificationsFirst Aid, CPR, child supervision certifications
Work EnvironmentOutdoor settings, adventure parks, wilderness areasSummer camps, recreational facilities
Employer & IndustryOutdoor education providers, adventure companiesSummer camps, youth organizations

Both roles involve working with children or groups outdoors, but Outdoor Instructors focus on teaching outdoor skills and activities, often requiring specific certifications and working in adventure or wilderness settings. Camp Counselors primarily supervise children at summer camps, emphasizing supervision and recreational activities. While overlapping in outdoor work, their certifications and work environments differ slightly, catering to distinct aspects of outdoor education and youth recreation.

What are popular job titles related to Outdoor Instructor jobs in California? For Outdoor Instructor jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Outdoor Instructor jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Outdoor Instructor jobs in California are:
Outdoor Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Outdoor Instructor job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,501 per year, or $23.3 per hour.

Outdoor Education Instructor

CHADWICK SCHOOL

CA • On-site

$20/hr

Temporary

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

Outdoor Education Instructor Grades 7-12
Chadwick School, Palos Verdes Peninsula
POSITION OVERVIEW
Chadwick Outdoor Education (COE) instructors facilitate outdoor experiences for students, helping them to reach their full potential, learn the importance of personal responsibility, practice decision making and hone their leadership abilities. In addition, instructors will teach skills such as camp craft, navigation, expedition behavior, hygiene, self-care, hazard awareness, risk management, group processing, communication, proper use of equipment/clothing, and minimum impact ethics. Instructors will have many opportunities to share passions for the natural world and address cultural history topics in each of the course areas. The curriculum progression is structured around 7th and 8th grade base camping experiences, building towards 9, 10, 11, and 12th grade backpacking courses. Most courses are 5 days long, with 2-3 days of instructor preparation before students arrive. The 12th grade course is a culmination of the curriculum progression, a three-week-long backcountry expedition course. We have three courses in the fall and three in the spring. Instructors are hired on a temporary, part-time agreement basis.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Key responsibilities include:
  • Live by Chadwick's Core Values and Core Competencies and role model this to students.
  • Live comfortably in the outdoor environments where courses are located. Ability to care for one's self in the environment as well as having the capacity to care for students regardless of conditions and circumstances.
  • Understand COE risk management policies and procedures.
  • Understand the major hazards and risks inherent in the specific course environment, be able to manage the common and obvious risks and take appropriate action regarding risks you have not encountered before.
  • Be able to recognize and act on appropriate and inappropriate student behavior and have the ability to manage student-to-student, instructor-to-student, and instructor-to-instructor relationships. This includes the ability to give feedback and deal positively with conflict and stress. The goal is to support students as they develop and grow on course and transfer skills and to apply learning back at home and school.
  • Create space for emotional, physical and social safety. This includes all group members including students, co-instructors and self.
  • Complete course paperwork in a timely, organized fashion.
  • Participate in the course orientation and training, as well as end-of-course debriefs with co-instructors and COE leadership team.
  • Drive and transport students along with equipment to the trip location and direct setting up location with students
  • Read and understand the COE instructor manual and Chadwick Diversity statement.
  • Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Some college required, Bachelor's degree preferred
  • Instructors must have current WFR and CPR certification.
  • Several years of post-college professional experience leading students for reputable outdoor education programs and schools
    • Teaching experience (classroom or outdoors)
    • Appropriate course area backcountry wilderness experience, both personal and professional
    • Experience with students ranging from grade 7-12
  • Instructors must have and maintain a clean driving record, have a current driver's license, and be a minimum age of 25 to drive school vehicles.
  • Instructors need to be highly competent outdoor leaders, patient and inspiring teachers, and skilled outdoor enthusiasts with sound and prudent judgment.
  • Instructors must have the technical skills necessary to travel in the course areas used, and in particular, activities taught on course, the ability to teach these skills to students, good risk management skills applicable to institutional settings.
  • Instructors will be positive environmental role models with sound knowledge of natural history of the particular course area environments used.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:
  • Lifting, carrying and moving up to 50-70 lbs.
  • Walking and being outdoors for extended periods of time on a regular basis is part of the job as the school sits on 45 acres of land and trips will be in wilderness locations
  • Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and an ability to adjust focus.
  • May use telephone, computer, copier, and other office equipment in the course of a day.

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. This may include warm, hot or cold temperatures. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
Screenings: TB assessment and Livescan background check
Note: The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and responsibilities that are required of the position.

Apply