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Wilderness Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CHADWICK SCHOOL

Outdoor Education Instructor

CA · On-site

$20/hr

Appropriate course area backcountry wilderness experience, both personal and professional * Experience with students ranging from grade 7-12 * Instructors must have and maintain a clean driving ...

Telluride Academy

Field Instructor

Telluride, CO

$20/hr

Field Instructor Reports To: Program Director FSLA Status: Seasonal, non-exempt Salary: DOE ... Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certification (or the ability to obtain prior to staff ...

Telluride Academy

Field Instructor

Telluride, CO · On-site

Field Instructor Reports To: Program Director FSLA Status: Seasonal, non-exempt Salary: DOE ... Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certification (or the ability to obtain prior to staff ...

Telluride Academy

Field Instructor

Telluride, CO · On-site

$20/hr

Field Instructor Reports To: Program Director FSLA Status: Seasonal, non-exempt Salary: DOE ... Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certification (or the ability to obtain prior to staff ...

Prevailance

Junior SERE / ECAC Instructor

TX · On-site

$51K - $67K/yr

Prevailance is seeking a Junior SERE / ECAC Instructor to deliver advanced Survival, Evasion ... First Aid / CPR or Wilderness First Responder certification * Familiarity with USAF SERE program ...

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How much do wilderness instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for wilderness instructor in the United States is $21.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Wilderness Instructor job?

A Wilderness Instructor is responsible for leading and educating groups in outdoor environments, teaching survival skills, navigation, and environmental awareness. They facilitate safe wilderness experiences, often working with youth programs, adventure camps, or outdoor education organizations. Their duties include risk management, first aid, and fostering teamwork. Wilderness Instructors need strong outdoor skills, leadership abilities, and knowledge of safety protocols.

What are the common challenges faced by Wilderness Instructors?

Wilderness Instructors often face unpredictable weather, challenging terrain, and unexpected emergencies, all while maintaining group morale and safety. Adapting lesson plans or routes on-the-fly and managing group dynamics in remote settings can be demanding but highly rewarding. Strong problem-solving skills and physical endurance are essential to handle these situations effectively. These challenges are part of what makes the job dynamic and fulfilling, as they provide opportunities to develop leadership and resilience while making a positive impact on participants' outdoor experiences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Wilderness Instructor position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Wilderness Instructor, you need expertise in outdoor skills, risk management, group leadership, and a foundational knowledge of environmental science, often supported by certifications like Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Leave No Trace. Familiarity with navigation tools (maps, compasses, GPS), safety equipment, and emergency communication systems is essential. Outstanding communication, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities help instructors effectively support and motivate diverse groups in unpredictable environments. These competencies ensure safety, foster learning, and create positive outdoor experiences for participants.

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Wilderness Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Wilderness Instructor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 57% Full Time, 38% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,102 per year, or $21.2 per hour.
Outdoor Education Instructor

Outdoor Education Instructor

CHADWICK SCHOOL

CA • On-site

$20/hr

Temporary

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Outdoor Education Instructor Grades 7-12
Chadwick School, Palos Verdes Peninsula
POSITION OVERVIEW
Chadwick Outdoor Education (COE) instructors facilitate outdoor experiences for students, helping them to reach their full potential, learn the importance of personal responsibility, practice decision making and hone their leadership abilities. In addition, instructors will teach skills such as camp craft, navigation, expedition behavior, hygiene, self-care, hazard awareness, risk management, group processing, communication, proper use of equipment/clothing, and minimum impact ethics. Instructors will have many opportunities to share passions for the natural world and address cultural history topics in each of the course areas. The curriculum progression is structured around 7th and 8th grade base camping experiences, building towards 9, 10, 11, and 12th grade backpacking courses. Most courses are 5 days long, with 2-3 days of instructor preparation before students arrive. The 12th grade course is a culmination of the curriculum progression, a three-week-long backcountry expedition course. We have three courses in the fall and three in the spring. Instructors are hired on a temporary, part-time agreement basis.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Key responsibilities include:
  • Live by Chadwick's Core Values and Core Competencies and role model this to students.
  • Live comfortably in the outdoor environments where courses are located. Ability to care for one's self in the environment as well as having the capacity to care for students regardless of conditions and circumstances.
  • Understand COE risk management policies and procedures.
  • Understand the major hazards and risks inherent in the specific course environment, be able to manage the common and obvious risks and take appropriate action regarding risks you have not encountered before.
  • Be able to recognize and act on appropriate and inappropriate student behavior and have the ability to manage student-to-student, instructor-to-student, and instructor-to-instructor relationships. This includes the ability to give feedback and deal positively with conflict and stress. The goal is to support students as they develop and grow on course and transfer skills and to apply learning back at home and school.
  • Create space for emotional, physical and social safety. This includes all group members including students, co-instructors and self.
  • Complete course paperwork in a timely, organized fashion.
  • Participate in the course orientation and training, as well as end-of-course debriefs with co-instructors and COE leadership team.
  • Drive and transport students along with equipment to the trip location and direct setting up location with students
  • Read and understand the COE instructor manual and Chadwick Diversity statement.
  • Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Some college required, Bachelor's degree preferred
  • Instructors must have current WFR and CPR certification.
  • Several years of post-college professional experience leading students for reputable outdoor education programs and schools
    • Teaching experience (classroom or outdoors)
    • Appropriate course area backcountry wilderness experience, both personal and professional
    • Experience with students ranging from grade 7-12
  • Instructors must have and maintain a clean driving record, have a current driver's license, and be a minimum age of 25 to drive school vehicles.
  • Instructors need to be highly competent outdoor leaders, patient and inspiring teachers, and skilled outdoor enthusiasts with sound and prudent judgment.
  • Instructors must have the technical skills necessary to travel in the course areas used, and in particular, activities taught on course, the ability to teach these skills to students, good risk management skills applicable to institutional settings.
  • Instructors will be positive environmental role models with sound knowledge of natural history of the particular course area environments used.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:
  • Lifting, carrying and moving up to 50-70 lbs.
  • Walking and being outdoors for extended periods of time on a regular basis is part of the job as the school sits on 45 acres of land and trips will be in wilderness locations
  • Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and an ability to adjust focus.
  • May use telephone, computer, copier, and other office equipment in the course of a day.

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. This may include warm, hot or cold temperatures. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
Screenings: TB assessment and Livescan background check
Note: The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and responsibilities that are required of the position.

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