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Wilderness Guide Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

PIER Group

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Guest Experience Specialist

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$15 - $20/hr

This role goes beyond a front desk seat: it is concierge, local guide, retail operator, and problem ... Urban Wilderness. ▪ Restock retail, beverages, and guest amenities to established par levels ...

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Wilderness Guide information

See Tennessee salary details

$6

$17

$36

How much do wilderness guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for wilderness guide in Tennessee is $17.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.45 and $18.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a wilderness guide?

Wilderness Guides are professionals trained to lead individuals or groups safely through natural, undeveloped areas such as forests, mountains, or national parks. They are responsible for planning routes, providing information about local ecology and wildlife, ensuring safety, and sometimes teaching outdoor skills like navigation, camping, and survival techniques. Wilderness Guides help create memorable, educational, and safe outdoor experiences for participants, ranging from day hikes to multi-day expeditions.

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

To thrive as a Wilderness Guide, you need strong outdoor survival skills, first aid certification, and knowledge of local geography and ecosystems. Familiarity with navigation tools (like GPS, maps, and compasses), wilderness medicine certifications (such as Wilderness First Responder), and outdoor gear are typically required. Outstanding communication, leadership, and decision-making skills help guide groups safely and create memorable experiences. These abilities are crucial for ensuring safety, managing risks, and providing an informative and enjoyable adventure for clients.

What are some common challenges faced by wilderness guides during multi-day expeditions, and how are they typically managed?

Wilderness Guides often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather, navigation through difficult terrain, and managing group dynamics over extended periods. To handle these, guides rely on thorough pre-trip planning, constant monitoring of weather updates, and strong communication skills to ensure group safety and morale. They are trained in first aid and emergency procedures, allowing them to address any medical or safety issues promptly. Adaptability and proactive problem-solving are key to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

What is the difference between Wilderness Guide vs Outdoor Educator?

AspectWilderness GuideOutdoor Educator
CertificationsWilderness First Aid, CPR, outdoor skills certificationsWilderness First Aid, CPR, teaching credentials
Work EnvironmentRemote wilderness areas, guiding outdoor activitiesSchools, camps, outdoor programs
Industry UsageTourism, adventure companies, outdoor recreationEducational institutions, youth programs

Wilderness Guides and Outdoor Educators both work outdoors and often hold similar certifications like Wilderness First Aid. However, Wilderness Guides primarily lead adventure activities in remote areas, focusing on guiding clients safely through wilderness experiences. Outdoor Educators typically work in structured settings like schools or camps, emphasizing teaching outdoor skills and environmental education. While their roles overlap in outdoor environments, their main focus and work settings differ.

What are popular job titles related to Wilderness Guide jobs in Tennessee? For Wilderness Guide jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Wilderness Guide jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Wilderness Guide jobs in Tennessee are:
Wilderness Guide jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wilderness Guide job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,200 per year, or $17.9 per hour.

Guest Experience Specialist

PIER Group

Knoxville, TN • On-site

$15 - $20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental

Posted 7 days ago

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Job description

BUSINESS

The Drop Inn

LOCATION

3650 Bamboo Way, Knoxville, TN 37920

REPORTS TO

General Manager, The Drop Inn

CLASSIFICATION

Non-Exempt · Hourly · Full and Part Time

SCHEDULE

Varies · includes weekends, holidays, evenings, and on-call rotation if applicable

DATE

August 2026

The Drop Inn is a new boutique outdoor hotel set in Knoxville's Urban Wilderness — 16 Dwellings, 5 full hook-up van sites, and a small clubhouse with retail and a full common bath house. This is an operation where cross-training is imperative and proactive posture and problem solving are critical.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Guest Experience Specialist is the first and last impression of The Drop Inn. This role goes beyond a front desk seat: it is concierge, local guide, retail operator, and problem solver combined. The goal is not to process arrivals — it is to send guests home certain that someone genuinely wanted them to have a great stay.

Work arrives in waves. Arrival and departure windows are demanding; the hours between them are quiet. This role requires someone who runs hard during the rush and works independently during the lull.

EXPERIENCE

Prior experience in hospitality, retail, food and beverage, or customer service is preferred but not required. We will train the systems and the property. We cannot train warmth, judgment, or initiative — high Emotional and Curiosity Quotient are required.

QUALIFICATIONS

▪ At least 18 years of age.

▪ Tennessee TABC Server Permit held at hire or obtained within 61 days of hire, per state grace period. Training and permit cost reimbursed by PIER Group. [Required only if The Clubhouse serves open containers.]

▪ Valid driver's license.

▪ Successful completion of a background check, if required for alcohol service.

▪ Comfort learning property management, point-of-sale, and smart-lock systems.

▪ Clear written and verbal communication. Guest-facing writing is a daily part of this role.

▪ Availability for weekends, holidays, evenings, and participation in the after-hours on-call rotation.

▪ Ability to stand and walk on sloped outdoor terrain, lift up to 40 lbs., climb stairs, and work in varying weather.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

▪ Take guest reservations — confirm online reservations, answer calls, and respond to Property Management System messages from guests.

▪ Greet, register, and depart guests; manage reservations, folios, and guest profiles accurately in the property management system.

▪ Answer telephone, email, text, and online travel agency messages within established response standards.

▪ Resolve guest concerns with empathy and urgency; escalate and document issues that exceed this role's authority.

▪ Operate The Clubhouse and the point-of-sale system, including retail, beverage, and guest essentials.

▪ Handle guest payment information in accordance with PCI standards. Issue no refund, discount, comp, or rate override without documented approval.

▪ Sell and serve alcohol in compliance with Tennessee law and the property's license: verify identification on every transaction and refuse service where required.

▪ Issue, verify, and expire guest door codes and access credentials; maintain custody of master credentials and back-of-house access.

▪ Protect guest privacy absolutely. Do not confirm or disclose a guest's presence, unit, or information to any third party.

▪ Perform opening and closing procedures and maintain shift-to-shift communication.

TYPICAL DUTIES

▪ Serve as local concierge — recommend trails, restaurants, breweries, and outdoor recreation across Knoxville's Urban Wilderness.

▪ Restock retail, beverages, and guest amenities to established par levels; assist with receiving, cycle counts, and inventory.

▪ Merchandise and maintain The Clubhouse, the welcome area, the common bath house, and all guest-facing spaces throughout the shift.

▪ Prepare welcome items, special requests, and celebration packages; review upcoming arrivals for VIPs and repeat guests.

▪ Maintain trail maps, local guides, printed collateral, and the lost-and-found log.

▪ Enter and follow up on work orders; communicate maintenance and housekeeping concerns promptly.

▪ Provide housekeeping and turnover support on high-turn days, including inspections, restocking, and light cleaning.

▪ Work the Slow Day Playbook independently during low-occupancy periods.

PRE-OPENING RESPONSIBILITIES

The Drop Inn has not opened yet, which means our initial crew will help open this project! If you have ever been part of an opening team, you know it can be fun, exciting, and lots of work! This is no different. Duties include but are not limited to unpacking, packing, storing, cleaning, organizing, testing, filling, loading, unloading, inventorying, etc.

BEYOND THE ROLE

▪ No one at PIER Group or The Drop Inn is above any task. On a high-turn day this role may be stripping units; on a quiet one, building trail guides or assisting maintenance.

▪ Cross training is required, not optional. This role will be certified on housekeeping turnover and basic maintenance response.

▪ When your area is quiet and another is under pressure, you move without being asked.

▪ Success is measured by guest experience — review scores, response times, retail attachment — not by hours logged at the desk.

▪ Perform other duties as assigned by the General Manager.

Disclaimer

This description describes the general nature and level of work expected. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications, and may be modified as the business evolves. Employment with PIER Group is at-will. PIER Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Company Description

At PIER Group we are passionate recreation builders, operators, and partners.
We believe that to be the best version of ourselves, we must take time outside of our day-to-day to do things that we enjoy and give us energy. Our favorite way to do that is to recreate! Recreation is broadly defined, and we think that’s how it should be! Whether you enjoy camping, biking, working out, sports, listening to live music, or [insert your recreational choice], it’s bound to be something that keeps you going.