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Wilderness Field Guide Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

NatureBridge

Education Coordinator

Sausalito, CA · On-site

$19.37/hr

Refine and update lesson plans, activity guides, and program support materials. * Participate in ... Program and Field Support * Provide daily, ongoing support for programs including spontaneous field ...

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Wilderness Field Guide information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a wilderness field guide, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Wilderness Field Guide, you need expertise in outdoor survival, navigation, first aid, and environmental education, often supported by certifications like Wilderness First Responder or Leave No Trace. Familiarity with GPS devices, compasses, mapping software, and emergency communication systems is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, leadership, and the ability to remain calm under pressure help guides manage group dynamics and ensure safety. These skills are vital for leading groups safely in remote environments, fostering educational experiences, and responding effectively to emergencies.

What is the difference between Wilderness Field Guide vs Wilderness Educator?

AspectWilderness Field GuideWilderness Educator
CertificationsFirst Aid, Wilderness Survival, Leave No TraceFirst Aid, Wilderness Skills, Educational Certifications
Work EnvironmentRemote outdoor settings, national parks, wilderness areasOutdoor classrooms, camps, outdoor programs
Primary FocusGuiding, safety, outdoor skills instructionEducational programs, youth engagement, environmental awareness

The Wilderness Field Guide and Wilderness Educator roles both involve outdoor work and safety certifications. However, Wilderness Field Guides primarily focus on guiding outdoor adventures and ensuring safety in wilderness settings, while Wilderness Educators emphasize teaching environmental concepts and engaging groups in outdoor education. Both roles are vital in outdoor industries but serve different primary objectives.

What are some common challenges faced by wilderness field guides, and how can they be effectively managed?

Wilderness Field Guides often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing weather, managing group dynamics in remote settings, and ensuring the safety of participants in unpredictable environments. Effective preparation, strong communication skills, and thorough knowledge of emergency procedures are essential for overcoming these obstacles. Guides must remain adaptable, maintain a calm demeanor under pressure, and foster a collaborative team spirit to successfully manage both environmental and interpersonal challenges.

What is a wilderness field guide?

Wilderness Field Guides are professionals who lead and support individuals or groups in outdoor, often remote, environments. They are responsible for teaching survival skills, ensuring safety, and facilitating activities such as hiking, camping, and team-building exercises. Often working with youth or clients in therapeutic programs, Wilderness Field Guides help participants develop confidence, resilience, and a connection with nature. Their role requires strong outdoor skills, first aid knowledge, and the ability to manage group dynamics in challenging situations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Wilderness Field Guide jobs in California? The most popular types of Wilderness Field Guide jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Wilderness Field Guide jobs in California? For Wilderness Field Guide jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Wilderness Field Guide jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Wilderness Field Guide jobs in California are:
Wilderness Field Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wilderness Field Guide job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

After School Care & Friday Enrichment Program Coordinator

Tahoe Expedition Academy & Tahoe Summer Camps

Truckee, CA • On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Part-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

After School Care amp; Friday Enrichment Program Coordinator

Tahoe Expedition Academy — TEA Trailblazers

Employment Status

  • Position Type: Part-Time

  • Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt

  • Pay Range: $25.00–$30.00 per hour

  • Reports To: Activities Director

Position Summary

The After School Care amp; Friday Enrichment Program Coordinator holds full responsibility for the program across the week: weekday aftercare supervision Monday through Thursday, and Friday wilderness programming spanning three grade-band tiers, TEA Trailblazers, Wayfinders, and Summit Corps. This is one role held by one person, and it is built around a specific combination of strengths: steady, structured indoor supervision for four afternoons a week, and outdoor trip leadership for the fifth. Fieldwork guiding experience is a direct asset to the Friday half of this role, and the ideal candidate brings both halves rather than one.

Schedule

  • Start Date: August 15

  • August Prep: 40 total hours

  • Monday–Thursday: 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM (Aftercare Supervision)

  • Friday: Full day (TEA Trailblazers Programming)

  • Additional: 2 weekly flexible hours of prep time

  • Total Weekly Hours: 20 (minimum) to 29 (maximum) with approval

Essential Duties and Responsibilities — Monday–Thursday, Aftercare Supervision

  • Supervise and actively engage students during all weekday aftercare hours.

  • Ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all students in the program.

  • Monitor attendance and release students only to authorized parents or guardians.

  • Collaborate with the Activities Director on aftercare curriculum and enrichment planning.

  • Facilitate age-appropriate activities across a mixed-age group, adapting for developmental needs.

  • Implement positive behavior management, addressing wellness concerns with professionalism and escalating to leadership and families when appropriate.

  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe program space.

  • Communicate regularly with parents, guardians, and school staff on student needs and program updates.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities — Friday, Wilderness Programming (TEA Trailblazers / Wayfinders / Summit Corps)

  • Plan and lead the Friday wilderness programming across its three tiers: TEA Trailblazers (PreK–3), Wayfinders (4–8), and Summit Corps (9–12).

  • Organize and directly supervise outdoor outings, hikes, and skill-building activities, ensuring safety procedures and permissions are followed for each excursion.

  • Sequence skill progression across the 35-week program arc, building physical competence and judgment before navigation and endurance, and leadership last.

  • Organize and supervise high school student volunteers as programmatic support and near-peer mentorship. Volunteers enrich programming but are not counted toward licensed staff-to-child ratios.

  • Identify and coordinate a designated backup guide for Fridays when fieldwork guiding responsibilities require coverage, in partnership with the Activities Director.

  • Maintain CPR/First Aid and, where applicable, Wilderness First Aid certification appropriate to the terrain and activities led.

Shared Responsibilities

  • Foster teamwork, respect, and positive peer interaction across both weekday and Friday programming.

  • Perform additional duties as assigned by the Activities Director.

Staffing Scale Trigger

California Title 22 sets a 1:14 staff-to-child ratio for school-age children. This role is licensed to supervise up to 14 students independently. Once TEA Trailblazers enrollment exceeds 14 students, a second qualified staff member will be hired to maintain ratio compliance. The second hire will be scoped to the Monday–Thursday aftercare block, preserving the Coordinator's focus on Friday trip leadership and reducing the demand on fieldwork-guide backup coverage as enrollment grows.

Qualifications

  • Experience working with school-age children in an educational, recreational, or youth development setting preferred.

  • Outdoor leadership or fieldwork guiding experience strongly preferred.

  • Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills across both indoor and outdoor settings.

Apply