Overnight Backcountry Pilot Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is America's oldest conservation and recreation organization. AMC is dedicated to protecting, enjoying, and understating the outdoors. We envision a world where being outdoors is an integral part of people’s lives; where our natural resources are healthy, loved and protected. Working in America’s Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, AMC values respect for all people and nature, lifelong engagement with the outdoors, prepared leadership, intrinsic worth of the outdoors, and fun.   

The Appalachian Mountain Club’s A Mountain Classroom program uses inspiring outdoor settings and experiential education to engage students and their teachers in ecology, earth science, and leadership development and teambuilding. Each year A Mountain Classroom (AMCR) serves over 8,000 students across the Northeast. As a leader in the field of outdoor education, AMCR programs create unparalleled educational experiences that complement classroom learning and other developmental student goals. AMCR programming incorporates hands-on, place-based education into our partners’ curricula and other youth development objectives. 

This position is the interface between the A Mountain Classroom (AMCR) schools and educators. The primary goal of this position is to plan programming with attending schools and communicate plans with educators. This role will ensure all programs include the curriculum and goals of the teachers by executing planning meetings with schools, creating schedules based on those meetings, then effectively communicating the plans to educators on the program. Responsibilities include program design, scheduling, curriculum decisions, and logistics. Programs include day-long and overnight outdoor experiences. 

What you’ll be doing at AMC 

• Build and maintain relationships with school and youth organization staff to ensure impactful programs in outdoor education, environmental education, and youth development that advance goals and meet expectations for both AMC and partners. 
• Promote, schedule, and occasionally teach a yearly slate of single-day and residential programs with local schools and community organizations in communities, at AMC facilities, and in the backcountry. 
• Work closely with school trip organizers to choose program components that meet their needs. Ensure instructional staff deliver quality programs to meet teachers’ expectations. Send confirmation letters and maintain teacher contacts. 
• Evaluate program curricula and collaborate on its revision and development. Topics may include water, forest, winter, or alpine ecology, geology, meteorology, natural resource use, climate change, outdoor skills, and teambuilding/leadership skills. 
• Pilot new curriculum and programming, in collaboration with partner organizations and/or other AMC departments. 
• Maintain and communicate detailed information about program operations to educators, AMC Reservations, and other AMC departments, as well as for program record keeping. 
• Provide logistical and professional development support for field educators, as well as support in seasonal trainings 
• Attend professional development and networking opportunities with organizations doing similar work both locally and nationally. 
• Perform on-call duties for youth programs in rotation with other staff. Help ensure proper use of field communication devices. Contribute to managing field evacuations and hospital visits. 
• Explore and establish safety of proposed new trips, routes, or activities. 
• In conjunction with other AMC staff, manage teaching and equipment inventory. 
• Work with a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends. 
• As needed, actively contribute to and support the cohesive operation of AMC by collaborating with and assisting other departments and facilities. 

What AMC is looking for 

• Four-year college degree in Environmental Education, Earth Science, Outdoor Recreation, or Natural Resources Management or other combinations of relevant education and experience (formal or non-formal). 
• 3-5 years of demonstrated and progressively increasing environmental or outdoor leadership experience, including experiential program delivery, wilderness trip leading, or ecology education. 
• Cooperative approach to working with others in a large and diverse organization. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Excellent organizational skills for a fast-paced and changeable program schedule. 
• Commitment to creating equitable, inclusive, and culturally relevant outdoor learning experiences. 
• Valid Wilderness First Aid certification, or the ability to obtain (WFR or WEMT preferred). 
• Competent with Microsoft Office suite of programs. 
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving history subject to a driving record check conducted by the AMC. 
• Physical ability to perform work in a remote camp setting and travel safely in the backcountry in all weather conditions, carrying up to 40 lbs of gear. Work is also performed in a standard office setting. 

What AMC Can Offer You 

Salary: $39,341 - $45,252

We are committed to fair compensation practices, and we encourage qualified candidates to apply. The initial salary represents our starting point, and our compensation philosophy is designed to reward and recognize the contributions of our employees as they grow within the organization. External candidates typically begin their journey with us at the starting point of the salary range. The final compensation offer will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills and geographic differential relevant to the position, and will be discussed during the interview process. 

Benefits 

• Health Plan:  Generous employer contributions through Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts with optional vision and dental.  

• Other Insurance: 100% employer paid life insurance, AD&D insurance, long-term disability. 

• Career Progression: The potential to have annual compensation reviews commensurate with performance and effort.  

• Retirement: Voluntary 403(b) with 4% matching employer contributions and a vesting schedule. 

• Paid Time Off: up to 4 weeks of paid earned time and up to 11 paid company holidays. 

• Other Team Member Perks:  

• 30% discount on AMC Merchandise  

• Free Annual AMC Membership 

• 10 Free nights at AMC locations 

• Educational Assistance 

• Prodeals discounts on equipment & gear and more! 

To Apply: 

Please include a resume and cover letter. No phone calls or agencies please. 

AMC encourages all interested candidates to apply, even if they do not meet every listed qualification. If you have a passion for the outdoors and believe your skills and experiences align with this role, we welcome your application. 

The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger. The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility which serves children, disabled persons, or the elderly to have a criminal background record check performed on their name annually with employment contingent upon satisfactory results.