ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Wilderness Counselor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Eckerd Connects

Youth Counselor

Yanceyville, NC · On-site

$17.51 - $18.57/hr

Ability to travel about property, through wilderness terrain. Must be able to pass evaluation of ... family counseling in a non-punitive environment designed to address the youth's behavioral ...

Eckerd Connects

Youth Counselor

Manson, NC · On-site

$17.51 - $18.57/hr

Ability to travel about property, through wilderness terrain. Must be able to pass evaluation of ... family counseling in a non-punitive environment designed to address the youth's behavioral ...

Confluence Behavioral Health LLC

Clinical Therapist

VT · On-site

$59K - $79K/yr

Experience and interest in Wilderness Therapy, Outdoor Recreation, Experiential Education, and Adventure-Based Counseling Compensation: * Signing Bonus * Housing Assistance * Salary commensurate with ...

associated

B'hootz Mentor

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$21 - $28/hr

August 2026 Part-time Role Wilderness Torah seeks a Youth Mentor in the East Bay from August 2026 ... counselor or afterschool program * Basic knowledge of the Hebrew calendar and Jewish holidays ...

associated

B'hootz Mentor

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$21 - $28/hr

August 2026 Part-time Role Wilderness Torah seeks a Youth Mentor in the East Bay from August 2026 ... counselor or afterschool program * Basic knowledge of the Hebrew calendar and Jewish holidays ...

associated

B'hootz Mentor

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$21 - $28/hr

August 2026 Part-time Role Wilderness Torah seeks a Youth Mentor in the East Bay from August 2026 ... counselor or afterschool program * Basic knowledge of the Hebrew calendar and Jewish holidays ...

ANASAZI Foundation

Family Therapist (Shadow)

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$51K - $67K/yr

Due to the program's wilderness setting, therapists must be able to dedicate each Tuesday to time ... therapy, counseling or psychology as well as a current state license to provide mental health ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsWilderness Counselor Jobs

Wilderness Counselor information

See salary details

$12

$25

$39

How much do wilderness counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for wilderness counselor in the United States is $25.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $28.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a wilderness counselor?

Wilderness Counselors are professionals who guide and support individuals, often youth or those in treatment programs, through outdoor experiences designed to foster personal growth, therapy, and teamwork. They lead activities such as hiking, camping, and survival skills while providing emotional support and counseling. Wilderness Counselors play a crucial role in helping participants build confidence, resilience, and coping skills by connecting with nature and working through challenges in a safe, structured environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a wilderness counselor?

To thrive as a Wilderness Counselor, you need strong outdoor survival skills, first aid certification, and experience working with youth or at-risk populations, often supported by a relevant degree or training in counseling or outdoor education. Familiarity with wilderness navigation tools, emergency communication devices, and risk management protocols is typically required. Outstanding interpersonal communication, patience, leadership, and crisis management abilities set exceptional counselors apart. These competencies ensure the safety and personal growth of participants while maintaining effective group dynamics in challenging outdoor environments.

What are some common challenges wilderness counselors face when working with youth in outdoor settings?

Wilderness Counselors often encounter challenges such as managing group dynamics, addressing homesickness or anxiety among participants, and adapting to unpredictable weather or environmental conditions. They must be skilled at fostering trust, encouraging personal growth, and ensuring safety in remote locations. Counselors also need to balance providing guidance with allowing participants to solve problems independently, which is crucial for building resilience and leadership skills in youth.

What is the difference between Wilderness Counselor vs Outdoor Education Instructor?

AspectWilderness CounselorOutdoor Education Instructor
Required CredentialsCPR/First Aid, sometimes Wilderness First Responder, relevant certificationsCPR/First Aid, teaching certifications, outdoor skills certifications
Work EnvironmentRemote outdoor settings, wilderness camps, outdoor therapy programsSchools, outdoor centers, camps, classrooms
Employer & IndustryRecreation, therapy, youth programs, outdoor adventure companiesEducational institutions, outdoor education organizations
Primary FocusProviding therapeutic support, guiding youth through outdoor activitiesTeaching outdoor skills, environmental education, experiential learning

Wilderness Counselors and Outdoor Education Instructors both work outdoors and require CPR/First Aid certifications. However, Wilderness Counselors focus on therapeutic support and guiding youth in wilderness settings, while Outdoor Education Instructors emphasize teaching outdoor skills and environmental education in more structured settings.

How do you become a wilderness counselor?

To become a wilderness counselor, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with experience in outdoor activities and counseling skills. Many employers prefer applicants with certifications such as Wilderness First Aid or CPR, and relevant training in outdoor education or therapy. Gaining experience through internships or volunteering in outdoor programs can also improve job prospects.
More about Wilderness Counselor jobs

What states have the most Wilderness Counselor jobs?

States with the most job openings for Wilderness Counselor jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Wilderness Counselor jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Wilderness Counselor jobs are:

Wilderness Counselor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wilderness Counselor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,365 per year, or $25.2 per hour.

Youth Counselor

Eckerd Connects

Yanceyville, NC • On-site

$17.51 - $18.57/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago

Eckerd Connects rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

52nd of 223 rated education and training

Job description

Do you enjoy working outdoors? Do you have a passion for helping people, or you love to see youth and young adults work hard to reach their full potential? Want to provide at-risk-youth with the tools to begin their process of change and be successful?
Come work with us as a Youth Counselor and contribute to the positive transformation of the at-risk teens in our adolescent residential academy program located in Yanceyville, North Carolina!
Make more than a Living, Make a Difference
We are proud to offer
  • Low-Cost Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • 19 days of Paid Time Off the first year
  • 11 paid holidays
  • Retirement savings plan with employer match up to 5%
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Paid short-term and long-term disability
  • Group Term Life and AD&D Insurance
  • Voluntary term life insurance
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer
  • PTO Exchange
  • Full Benefits Guide is located on our Career Center in the Documents section

Additional Benefits
  • Meals provided when on duty
  • Advancement opportunities
  • Overtime availability

Hourly Rate: $17.51-$18.57 with opportunity for leadership development, professional growth and advancement.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • A positive, supportive role model who guides and influences group activities on a consistent basis that enhances the youth's confidence and self-esteem. Youth Counselors ensure the progress and welfare of each client and the group through therapeutic programs. Responsible for staff secure supervision during the afternoon, evening, and sleeping hours.
  • Lead group of youth through a variety of daily activities while providing group and individual counseling, with an emphasis on strength-based development. Ensure successful development of the youth through rational living cognitive behavioral therapy to help youth define their life goals and then help them achieve those goals-pointing out thinking errors and faulty cognitions along the way.

Qualifications
  • Must be 21 Years of Age or Older per DJJ Guidelines.
  • High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of two years' relevant experience working with youth is required. Bachelor's degree in social/behavioral services or outdoor recreation specialties is preferred. 2+ years of college in a social or human services can substitute youth experience requirement.
  • Direct care in a therapeutic/rehabilitative setting preferred.
  • Ability to travel about property, through wilderness terrain. Must be able to pass evaluation of crisis intervention/physical restraint techniques and written certification exam, and use approved techniques as needed. Must be able to participate in aquatic activities. Ability to stand, sit or walk for extended periods of time. Constant exposure to outdoors and/or weather conditions. Responsible for the overall supervision and safety of clients. Supervision may include shift work.
  • Must be able to meet requirements for Eckerd's Auto Insurance and be able to drive for business purposes. Valid and appropriate driver's license or state identification is required.
  • Required to pass a drug screen in compliance with our Substance Abuse and Drug-Free Workplace policy.

*This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person assigned to this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties that may be performed by a person so classified.
About our Residential Academy
Eckerd Connects' Short-Term Juvenile Justice Residential program is a complete rehabilitative experience delivered in 4 to 6 months to 40 adjudicated male youth, ages 13 to 17, referred by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Division of Juvenile Justice. This residential treatment concept combines promising and evidence-based practices with a strong family transition component and signifies a public-private partnership with the Division of Juvenile Justice which has produced an innovative shift in the way youth are served in North Carolina's juvenile justice system. Intensive, short-term services include individualized treatment and academic plans that combine formal and experiential education, community service, behavioral health, and family counseling in a non-punitive environment designed to address the youth's behavioral challenges through a strength-based approach. Youth also receive accredited education on-site and work together in small group settings with assigned counselors.
Our Program Location
Boys Residential Academy at Yanceyville
437 Main Street
Yanceyville, NC 27379
About Us Video: https://youtu.be/eL_LDuWsm80?si=mRAPWJ59tNF7lJ7J
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/eckerdresidential/
To learn more about our program, copy and paste the link into your browser:https://eckerd.org/juvenile-justice-services/residential-services/short-term-residential-services/
Eckerd Connects employees and applicants for employment are covered by federal, state, and local laws designed to safeguard employees and job applicants from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Eckerd Connects is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals, including individuals with disabilities. We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws by providing reasonable accommodations to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, and practices. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact adarequest@eckerd.org. Relay Services Dial 711.
Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
Copy & paste the link into your browser: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters.
Eckerd Connects is a drug-free workplace and utilizes E-verify to confirm employment eligibility.
#YVYC

What Eckerd Connects employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Eckerd Connects logo

About Eckerd Connects

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Eckerd Connects is one of the largest national nonprofit child and family service organizations in the United States. Eckerd provides a full continuum of life-changing behavioral health, child welfare services, and workforce development through multiple offices and facilities nationwide that strengthen families, assist young adults, and help children succeed.

Industry

Education

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Clearwater, FL, US

Year founded

1968

View All Eckerd Connects Jobs

Apply