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Wilderness Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Astoria, OR Astoria offers stunning Pacific Northwest beauty with access to spectacular wilderness areas, crystal-clear lakes, and rivers, while being within easy driving distance to growing ...

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Wilderness information

See Oregon salary details

$30.1K

$67.7K

$100.4K

How much do wilderness jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for wilderness in Oregon is $67,660.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,900.00 and $79,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a wilderness guide?

Wilderness guides are professionals who lead individuals or groups on outdoor adventures in natural, often remote environments. They are responsible for ensuring the safety of participants, providing instruction on outdoor skills, and sharing knowledge about the local ecosystem. Wilderness guides often lead activities such as hiking, backpacking, canoeing, or wildlife observation, and are trained in first aid and emergency response. Their expertise helps participants experience and appreciate the wilderness while minimizing risks and environmental impact.

What are the qualifications to get a wilderness job?

To qualify for a wilderness job, you typically need a bachelor's degree in forestry or another relevant field. If you are working as a therapist or paramedic, you must also meet industry training standards and requirements. A scientific wilderness career requires specific knowledge and research skills. Additional qualifications include First Aid and CPR certification, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work independently. You must be comfortable traveling and working in a wilderness setting, as well as adhere to all local and state laws regarding wildlife.

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

To thrive as a Wilderness Guide, you need strong outdoor survival skills, first aid certification, and a solid understanding of local geography and ecosystems. Familiarity with navigation tools such as GPS devices, topographic maps, and wilderness safety protocols is typically required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities help guides manage group dynamics and respond to emergencies. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring client safety, delivering informative experiences, and adapting to unpredictable outdoor challenges.

What are some common challenges faced by wilderness guides and how can they be addressed?

Wilderness guides often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather, ensuring group safety, and managing diverse skill levels among participants. To address these, guides must be well-prepared with contingency plans, maintain strong communication within the group, and adapt activities to fit the abilities of all participants. Building trust, staying organized, and continuously updating outdoor skills are essential for success and safety in this dynamic environment.

What is the difference between Wilderness vs Forest Ranger?

AspectWildernessForest Ranger
CredentialsOften requires environmental or outdoor certificationsRequires forestry, environmental science degrees, or certifications
Work EnvironmentRemote, undeveloped natural areasManaged forested areas, parks, and reserves
Industry UsageUsed broadly to describe remote natural areas or conservation zonesSpecific job title for managing forests and parks
Search IntentUnderstanding natural areas, conservation, outdoor activitiesManaging parks, conservation efforts, outdoor safety

Wilderness refers to remote, undeveloped natural areas, often used broadly to describe untouched environments. A Forest Ranger is a specific job title involving managing forests, parks, and conservation efforts within these areas. While Wilderness describes the environment, Forest Ranger describes a role within that environment, requiring relevant certifications and responsibilities.

What jobs work in the wilderness?

Jobs that work in the wilderness include park rangers, wilderness guides, conservation scientists, forestry technicians, and outdoor educators. These roles often require knowledge of environmental science, survival skills, and certifications such as CPR or first aid, and they typically involve working outdoors in remote or natural settings.

What are the most commonly searched types of Wilderness jobs in Oregon?

The most popular types of Wilderness jobs in Oregon are:

What are popular job titles related to Wilderness jobs in Oregon?

For Wilderness jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Wilderness job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Locum Tenens, 91% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,660 per year, or $32.5 per hour.

Wildland Fire Instructor [Faculty Part-Time Pool]

Clackamas Community College

Oregon City, OR โ€ข On-site

$44.14 - $88.32/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

Salary: $44.14 - $88.32 Hourly
Location : Oregon City Campus, 19600 Molalla Avenue, Oregon City, OR
Job Type: Term-by-Term, Union
Job Number: 2425-00205
Division: Technology, Applied Science and Public Services
Department: Wildland Fire
Opening Date: 04/04/2025
Description
Clackamas Community College (CCC) seeks to hire a Wildland Fire Instructor position. This is a part-time faculty, union, term-by-term, exempt, and non benefits-eligible position.
This is a faculty pool posting for available assignments during the academic year. Applications are considered throughout the academic year 2024-2025 and reviewed based on department need. Should a review of your application result in the intent to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email for an interview. We are interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and candidates that may be from a less traditional background. We welcome applicants who bring a diversity of identity, culture, experience, perspective, and thought.
CCC is committed to continuous improvement and innovation in support of student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to understanding and dismantling systems of oppression and to co-creating a more equitable educational system that in turn fosters a more equitable society. We strive to be a student-ready institution that supports and partners with students to promote discovery and growth. We work to mobilize community-wide awareness and action related to the college strategic priorities and seeks to build relationships in support of community well-being.
At CCC, individuals are celebrated for their experience and expertise, validated for their unique perspectives, and engaged in ways that reflect their needs and interests. To learn more about CCC visit Leadership, Vision and Initiatives.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
  • Instructs students in a classroom
  • Provides student contact before and after class and by telephone, video conferencing, scheduled meetings or email exchanges during office hours when facilities and schedules permit
  • Prepares, distributes and utilizes instructional support materials, including course syllabi, supplementary materials, instructional media and other devices as appropriate
  • Incorporates the latest classroom technology when available and appropriate to instructional activities
  • Structures classes and curriculum to correspond with the overall program objectives
  • Prepares clear objectives for students for each course
  • Understands, develops and provides a learning environment that supports diversity and incorporates sensitivity to diversity within the college community
  • Responsible for classroom and departmental equipment and provides for the security of facilities and instructional materials as appropriate
  • Understands and abides by college policies and regulations and other policies, procedures and materials as required by the college, departments or divisions
  • Convenes classes on time and as scheduled
  • Maintains evaluation and grading records for assigned students; enters grades and provides all necessary documentation for incompletes within established college timelines and guidelines
  • Ensures and emphasizes safe working and classroom conditions and practices
  • May direct aides and work study students as assigned
  • Understands and uses the college's computer system

AUXILIARY FUNCTIONS
  • May provide assistance to other department personnel as workload and staffing levels dictate
  • Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly manner
  • Performs field exercises in a safe and orderly manner

Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Part-time instructors qualify to teach college credit Wilderness courses by having experience and expertise in one or more of the following subjects:
    • Map, Compass and GPS
    • Wilderness Survival
    • Wilderness First Aid (Required: Wilderness First Responder Credential, WMI preferred)
    • Dangerous Animals
    • Search and Rescue
  • One year teaching experience or two years practical experience
  • Must be able to work respectfully with individuals of all cultures, backgrounds, perspectives and abilities
  • Ability to exemplify traits that reflect the College's culture, including integrity, a customer service orientation, cultural competency, trustworthiness, flexibility and a willingness to change

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
  • Wilderness Program Certificate of Completion
  • Wildland Fire AAS Degree

Additional Information
Application Instructions
When applying for this position, you will be required to complete the NeoGov application, including work history relevant to the position and attach the following electronic documents:
  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter explaining your interest in the position and describing how you meet the minimum qualifications and requirements of the position
  3. Relevant Certifications
  4. If applicable: Veteran's Preference documentation

Any applications which do not have the required documents attached will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered. CCC makes employment decisions based solely on the candidate's demonstrated competencies as related to successful performance in the position.
Please remove all graduation and other education related dates from your application materials.
For application support, please refer to this guide or contact NeoEd's support team @ 855.524.5627.
Veterans' Preference
Under Oregon Law, qualified Veterans and current or former Oregon National Guard members may be eligible for Veteran's preference when applying for positions with CCC.
Preference will only be given if the applicant meets the minimum qualifications and any special qualifications for the position and electronically attaches the required documentation at the time of application. Disabled Veterans must also submit a copy of their Veterans' disability preference letter.
Documents Required
  • MEMBER COPY 4 of DD Form 214 or 215
  • NGB Form 22 or 55
For information regarding Veteran's Preference qualifications, visit the following website: https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/Pages/veterans-preference.aspx
Terms of Employment
  • All positions at CCC are required to be available for work onsite as requested by the college and requires a flexible work schedule to meet program needs, which may include evenings and/or weekends.
  • Those offered employment will be required to complete and sign forms before initiatingthe backgroundd check step.
  • CCC employees must reside within 50 miles of Oregon City, Harmony or Wilsonville campus as a condition of employment.
  • Proof of eligibility to work in the United States must be provided if selected for hire.
  • CCC does not support employment permits or visas.
  • Providing false information will result in rejection of an application, employment offer or dismissal.

Equal Employment Opportunity
CCC is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other protected class.
Why work at Clackamas Community College?
Do you enjoy working in a collaborative, stimulating environment where your voice makes a difference? Clackamas Community College is looking for talented, bright and motivated people like you! We want you to join the CCC community where your inspired motivation will help define our students' educational experience.
For more than 40 years, Clackamas Community College has been changing with the times and working to meet the needs of the community.
These benefits may be subject to change.
Tuition Waiver:
Association (Union) represented PT Faculty members are eligible for tuition waivers for themselves and IRS dependents. Fees and other costs are not waived. For more information please see
Sick Leave:
Sick Leave- 24 hours/ term worked (available on the 5th week of term)
PERS:
Qualifying employees
will receive contributions to the Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS).
01
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Do you currently reside 50 miles from any of our campuses? If not, are you open to relocating at your own expense in the event of an offer? Campus addresses are detailed below:- 19600 Molalla Avenue, Oregon City, Oregon 97045- 7738 SE Harmony Road, Milwaukie, Oregon 97222- 29353 SW Town Center Loop East, Wilsonville Oregon 97070
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question