Temporary Backpacking Guide Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department:OSU-CascadesSpecial Instructions to Applicants:

This is an Internal Employment Opportunity.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV; and

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

Starting salary will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

For additional information please contact:

Johana Hernandez

Johana.Hernandez@osucascades.edu

Job Summary:

This is an Internal Employment Opportunity.

OSU Cascades Outdoor & Adventure Recreation Programs is seeking four (4) hourly, short-term Education Program Assistant 1-Headwaters Outdoor Staff (Short-Term) positions. These are full-time (1.00 FTE) 12-month positions. These positions are expected to last approximately 2 months.

These positions are located in Bend, Oregon.

OSU-Cascades Headwaters programs are offered every year as part of our OSU-Cascades Adventures program. These trips are outdoor trips that take place the week before fall term, with new students, including transfer students, being welcome to register and attend various outdoor recreation activities in the Oregon back country. The Temp Headwaters Outdoor Assistant will be responsible for leading a group of students in outdoor activities and serve as a subject matter expert within the areas being offered for the trip outings. This individual is responsible for engaging with students to teach and guide various outdoor recreation activities and ensuring the safety and well-being of students for the duration of the trip. They will also assist with providing emphasis on activity and basic skills, participate in field sessions, demonstrate and assist students in use of equipment and resources, and provide individual and group activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Executes outing plan and lead student participants through
• Headwaters trips/programming.
• Facilitates and leads programming for participants. Temp staff are expected to be responsible for individuals on their programs and facilitate an emotionally and physically safe environment for participants and fellow staff while being a positive role model.
• Deliver curriculum instruction on skills and topics pertinent to the programming activities.
• Follow all activity protocols, policies, procedures, risk management plans, and emergency action plan for Cascades Adventures, OSU-Cascades, and OSU.
• Educates and ensures that all Cascades Adventures, OSU-Cascades, and OSU policies and rules are upheld including pertinent Federal, State and local laws for all trip staff and participants alike.
• Effectively prepares Headwaters programming by coordinating packing and inspecting equipment with fellow staff.
• Delivers professional first aid care when necessary.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must show documented experience for specific activities being taught including, but not limited to: backpacking, camping excursions, whitewater rafting, and/or rock climbing.
• Previous back country navigation experience, CPR, Current Wilderness First Aid/Responder Certification.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills aimed at promoting safe, fun, and successful Cascades Adventures/Headwaters programming.
• Strong self and task management skills while working on programs and in the office.
• Utilizes the Microsoft suite (e.g., Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Office, Outlook, etc.), CampusGroups, Ideal-Logic, EmpCenter, Concur, Box, MyOSU/Beaver Hub, Zoom, Yodeck, Canva, Instagram, (all platforms are provided by the university). A significant portion of work will take place on various online platforms and technologies.
• Ability to comprehend, communicate, and adhere to Cascades Adventures activity policies, procedures, and operating practices as they pertain to the group and individual participation in Cascades Adventures programming.
• Promotes and enhances the safe use of activity-specific equipment throughout all aspects of Cascades Adventures programing.
• Provide quality customer service both in the Cascades Adventures office and while facilitating programming.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified, and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with a diverse population of college aged students.
• Have worked Headwaters or similar program before.
  

Working Conditions/Schedule:Staff will work outdoors in adverse conditions (abiding by OSU policy) that can include heat, cold, snow, hail, rain, wind, smoke, etc.
Staff will work outdoors on adverse surface conditions (abiding by OSU policy) that can include wet, snowy, icy, dirty, uneven, loose, etc.
Staff will work outdoors and could be exposed to wildlife and plant life that can bite, sting, poke, cut, cause allergic reaction, etc.
Staff will work with equipment and supplies that can be heavy, awkward to move, require additional training, be hazardous to health when not used correctly and/or require Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to interact with while loading, unloading, repairing, cleaning, maintaining, storing, using, etc.
Staff could be sitting for long periods of time while working in the office and/or driving vehicles for rental and trip programming.
Staff could work multiple days in a row away from campus for training and trips programming.
Staff could work very early, late, and/or long hours during a day.
Staff could work on weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
Staff could work on programs that require they sleep, eat, and use the restroom in an outdoor environment without modern indoor amenities.
Staff could work in still water environments (e.g., lakes, lagoons, etc.) and/or swift moving water environments (e.g., rivers, ocean, etc.).
Staff could work in vertical environments high off the ground.
Staff could work with open flame along with various flammable fuels.
Staff could work in situations that could expose them to bodily fluids while rendering medical aid to others.
Staff could work with sensitive personal information of others that can include medical, contact, personal demographic information, etc.
Staff will work in an environment that requires delivering and receiving growth-based communication, typically in the form of positive and constructive feedback.Salary Range:$20.19 - $30.11Anticipated Start Date:2026-07-31Anticipated End Date:2026-09-30

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.
OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. If this position has "critical or security-sensitive" responsibilities and/or driving duties and you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU's Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.