Part Time Backpacking Guide Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Location : 1717 S Chestnut Ave, Fresno, CA
Job Type: Staff Temporary Part-Time
Job Number: 2026-00652
Department: School of Arts and Sciences
Opening Date: 04/16/2026
Position Summary
Department: School of Arts and Sciences
Reports To: Wilderness Studies, Programs Coordinator
Status: Non-Exempt
The Assistant Mountain Guide is a temporary part-time position with the Wilderness Studies Program at Fresno Pacific University. This role is passionate about introducing beginners to Sierra backpacking, shows experience or promise that they can safely assist in leading guided hikes and overnight backpacking trips into various parts of the Sierra Nevada. The Assistant Mountain Guide will work under the broad supervision of the FPU Wilderness Program Coordinator and/or assigned General Operations Staff member. On trail, Assistant Mountain Guide reports to their assigned lead guide, and will work collaboratively with their lead guide, faculty, and students during programs.
Essential Functions

• Provide strong outdoor leadership for hiking groups of students, professors, and fellow guides
• Support and provide appropriate collaborative insight to all wilderness-related decisions made by assigned Lead Mountain Guide(s).
• Actively build team dynamics and encourage healthy and safe decisions among guide team and participants during hikes.
• Respond to emergency situations, major or minor injury, and concerns in a thoughtful and safe manner.
• Demonstrate a commitment to serving and inspiring students and colleagues in a context of a Christian University, integrating your Christian faith into your role and responsibilities.
• Embrace the , and values of Fresno Pacific University, affirm the , and support the ideals and practices articulated in ""
• Uphold and advance Fresno Pacific University's commitment to Christ-centered higher education, holistic student development, and serving diverse communities.
• Complete tasks timely with work that is comprehensive, complete, and accurate
• Communicates clearly, listens attentively, and seeks to understand others
• Collaborates productively with colleagues of varying skillset
• Other job duties as assigned

Qualifications
Required:

• Significant hiking/ overnight backpacking experience.
• Basic CPR/ First Aid Certification, WFR, or WAFA (or willingness to obtain upon hire, provided by employer).
• Ability to perform the physical tasks required for mountain guiding, including hiking on varied terrain and carrying necessary equipment.

Preferred:

• Experience in various leadership and group dynamic capacities while serving a diverse community.

Environmental Conditions:

• Outdoors with possible exposure to noise, dust, temperature changes and other varying environmental conditions
• May drive personal or University vehicles to appointments.
• Public contact position requiring appropriate apparel, personal hygiene, and grooming.

Physical Demands:

• Weather Conditions may affect outdoor activities which are always at the mercy of the weather and the adverse impacts that this may cause.
• Requires up to 8 hours a day hiking, under varying weather conditions, with ability to sit and rest interspersed throughout.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Employee must be able to communicate with others to exchange information including both over the telephone and in-person communication with callers and community members.
• Reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities will be provided in accordance with law.

University Information
$17.00 to $20.50 is the hourly compensation for this role and reflects what Fresno Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, FPU offers a competitive benefits package.
Reserving its rights as a religious institution, Fresno Pacific University is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age or disability, or other classes protected by applicable law. Committed to excellence and actively supportive of cultural diversity, FPU invites individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you should contact FPU's Human Resources Department at hr@fresno.edu. As a religious institution, the University will administer the equal opportunity employment policy consistent with the Fresno Pacific University statement of faith, the FPU Idea and the University's governance by the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.
Fresno Pacific University offers a wide range of affordable benefits that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage. As well as, a 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance, and a number of unique unviersity benefits. Please visit and you may review our current Holiday Calendar.
For any benefits questions, please email us at hr@fresno.edu.