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Wilderness First Responder Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

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Wilderness First Responder information

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$9

$29

$72

How much do wilderness first responder jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for wilderness first responder in Raleigh, NC is $29.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.71 and $39.95 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a wilderness first responder?

A Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is trained to provide emergency medical care in remote and outdoor environments where professional help may be delayed. WFRs assess injuries, stabilize patients, and manage medical situations with limited resources. They often work as outdoor guides, park rangers, or emergency responders in wilderness settings. Their training includes CPR, wound care, splinting, and managing environmental emergencies like hypothermia or altitude sickness.

What can I do with a wilderness first responder certification?

A wilderness first responder certification qualifies individuals to provide emergency medical care in remote or outdoor settings, often enabling employment as outdoor guides, park rangers, outdoor educators, or emergency responders in wilderness environments. It demonstrates skills in patient assessment, trauma management, and CPR, which are valuable for roles requiring immediate medical response in the field.

How do you become a wilderness first responder?

To become a wilderness first responder, individuals typically complete a certified training course that covers emergency medical skills specific to remote environments, often lasting 16 to 24 hours. Certification is awarded upon successful completion, and maintaining it may require periodic re-certification; skills include CPR, patient assessment, and trauma management in outdoor settings.

What are the typical work environments and team dynamics for wilderness first responders?

Wilderness First Responders often work in remote or rugged outdoor settings, such as on expeditions, in camps, or during adventure travel programs, where access to immediate medical care is limited. Team structures can vary; you may work alongside guides, outdoor educators, or other medical specialists, and sometimes in solo roles. Daily responsibilities include patient assessment, emergency care, coordinating evacuations, and maintaining safety protocols for groups. Adaptability and clear communication with both peers and non-medical personnel are essential for effective teamwork. Being prepared for physically and mentally demanding conditions is a key aspect of the role.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a wilderness first responder?

To thrive as a Wilderness First Responder, you need strong emergency medical skills, knowledge of remote care protocols, and physical stamina, typically backed by certification from recognized organizations such as NOLS or SOLO. Familiarity with tools such as first aid kits, splinting materials, and communication devices like satellite phones is crucial. Outstanding problem-solving, calm decision-making, and effective teamwork are soft skills that set top performers apart. These abilities are vital to ensuring safety, providing high-quality care, and managing emergencies in challenging outdoor environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Wilderness First Responder jobs in Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Wilderness First Responder jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What job categories do people searching Wilderness First Responder jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Wilderness First Responder jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Wilderness First Responder jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Wilderness First Responder job openings:
Wilderness First Responder jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wilderness First Responder job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,468 per year, or $29.6 per hour.

Outdoor Camp Counselor (School's Out Camps)

Piedmont Wildlife Center

Durham, NC

$15 - $16/hr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Do you love being outside? Are you passionate about mentoring children and helping them build meaningful connections with nature? Piedmont Wildlife Center is seeking Outdoor Camp Counselors to join our team of dedicated educators and nature enthusiasts. Interviews will be scheduled in early August.

About Our Organization: Piedmont Wildlife Center is a Durham-based non-profit organization encouraging conservation and inspiring people to build lifelong connections with nature through immersive outdoor education, citizen science, and wildlife stewardship. We pursue this mission through afterschool, homeschool, and year-round camp programming in the great outdoors. The Center also offers conservation-focused field trips and outreach programs with our Ambassador Animals.

Land Acknowledgement: Our camps operate out of Leigh Farm Park in Durham County and Blackwood Farm Park in Orange County. Both parks are remnants of 19th-century plantations and are on land that was once part of the shared territory of Saponi, Tuscarora, Occaneechi, Cheraw, Eno, Shakori, Catawba, and Lumbee nations. The county parks departments have preserved multiple historic structures in our locations. In addition, we operate camps at Umstead State Park in Wake County which was once a segregated park and indigenous territory. It is imperative that we discuss this history with our staff and campers, amplify the stories of the indigenous and enslaved peoples who cared for the land and continue learning about and examining the parks’ legacy.

Position Summary: Outdoor Camp Counselors lead nature-based day camps for children ages 5–12. Each counselor co-leads a group of up to 15 campers, along with a teen Counselor-in-Training (CIT). The role includes facilitating engaging, hands-on activities that encourage curiosity, environmental awareness, and connection to the natural world.

Counselors create a safe, inclusive, and fun outdoor learning environment while supporting both group dynamics and individual camper needs. Whether your strengths lie in education, outdoor survival skills, ecology, or storytelling, counselors should be passionate about sharing their unique skillset with campers, helping them develop their own connection to nature, and inspiring them to protect the natural world around them.


Required Availability

Day Camp at Leigh Farm Park (8:00-3:30)

  • September 21-25, 2026
  • September 28 - October 2, 2026
  • October 5-9, 2026

Counselors will also have the opportunity to work our homeschool program and single-day camps as a substitute when needed.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Lead outdoor activities focused on environmental education, nature connection, and exploration
  • Ensure camper safety and support positive group dynamics
  • Collaborate with your co-counselor to adapt daily plans and meet the needs of all campers
  • Communicate with program managers about camper behavior, safety concerns, and program feedback
  • Mentor our Counselors-in-Training (ages 13–17)

Required Qualifications:

  • At least 18 years of age
  • Ability to work all of the dates listed above
  • Experience working with children in educational or recreational settings
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills
  • Able to hike at least 2 miles with a group
  • Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions
  • Experience with stories and inquiry-based teaching methods
  • Flexibility with changes in programming and scheduling
  • Reliable transportation
  • Willingness to obtain a First Aid & CPR certification (adult and pediatric). If you are not certified, Piedmont Wildlife Center will provide the certification during staff training.


Preferred Qualifications:

  • Working toward or holding a degree in education, environmental science, or a related field
  • Environmental education experience
  • Experience with storytelling, inquiry-based learning, and/or nature mentoring
  • Knowledge of local ecology, wildlife tracking, or outdoor survival skills
  • Relevant outdoor certifications such as Wilderness First Aid/Responder, Certified Interpretive Guide, Leave No Trace Master Educator, and/or NC Environmental Educator.


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