Primary Outdoor Leader

OVERVIEW

At Wilderness Inquiry, we believe that everyone belongs. We work to ensure this belief holds true in our workplace, in our community, and in the outdoors. We pursue this belief through our mission and shared values of paddling together, seeking the exceptional, finding a way, and nurturing inclusion. 

Outdoor Leaders create the magic at Wilderness Inquiry. Leading single to multi-day adventures for adults, youth, and families of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities, Outdoor Leaders bring Wilderness Inquiry programming to life in the field and ensure the safety, quality and cost-effectiveness of Wilderness Inquiry experiences. Life as a Wilderness Inquiry Outdoor Leader is fun, exciting, challenging, and incredibly rewarding.

POSITION SUMMARY

Primary Outdoor Leaders are responsible for leading and coaching teams of 1-14+ Outdoor Co-Leaders through in-person programs and ensuring successful, engaging, and welcoming outdoor adventures for participants. Primary Outdoor Leaders’ responsibility extends beyond individual programming events to include pre-trip and post-trip support work and acting as main liaisons between Wilderness Inquiry Trip Directors, Outdoor Leader crews, and program contacts from partnering organizations. Primary Leaders are true point persons for representing the Wilderness Inquiry mission to colleagues, participants, media, and the public. 

We recognize that as an industry, there is much to do to increase representation in our field to reflect the communities we aim to serve. We also know that diversity of identities and experiences results in better solutions for our communities. For this reason, we especially encourage folks from communities who experience systemic barriers — including people of color, women, LGBTQI+, and people with disabilities — to apply for this position. Wilderness Inquiry provides additional compensation for Outdoor Leaders who demonstrate language skills that meet the needs of our core audiences. Please indicate on your application if you are fluent in a language other than English; we are especially interested in Spanish, Somali, Oromo, Karen, Hmong, and ASL. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Group Facilitation

• Provide excellent leadership for Wilderness Inquiry program participants.
• Work collaboratively with a team of Outdoor Leaders to build a safe, engaging, socially/emotionally supportive, and welcoming learning program environment.
• Demonstrate flexibility and creative problem-solving.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the variety and complexities of relationships Wilderness Inquiry audiences may have with the outdoors based on race, gender, experiences, age, and backgrounds. 
• Accurately and professionally represent the Wilderness Inquiry brand to program partners, participants, media, and the public.
• Use effective judgment and decision-making regarding trip implementation.
• Uphold Wilderness Inquiry’s Trail Community Agreements.
• Dedicate time to learn relevant curriculum, location specific interpretation, social-emotional learning practices, and group goals. 
• Possess a mastery of the scope and detail of Wilderness Inquiry program content, itineraries, activities, mission, and values, in order to ensure successful, high-quality, and cost effective programming.

Technical Skills & Safety

• Ensure program compliance with Wilderness Inquiry policies and risk management procedures.
• Assess participant ability and expectations to safely and effectively meet individual and group needs.
• Proficiently perform, or show a willingness to learn, activities conducted on trips including North/Tandem canoeing, hiking, camping, navigating routes, cooking, etc.
• Provide emergency first aid in an outdoor setting (contingent upon certification). 
• Maintain quality and cleanliness of Wilderness Inquiry program equipment.
• Safely drive a 15-passenger van hauling a loaded trailer in all weather and road conditions (contingent upon driver eligibility).

Team Leadership

• Build positive team dynamics and assist with conflict management within Outdoor Co-Leader teams as necessary.
• Effectively lead Outdoor Co-Leader teams and event logistics in order to successfully execute multiple aspects of programs collectively.
• Assign and delegate tasks/roles to Co-Leaders appropriately and ensure their completion.
• Provide direct coaching and feedback to Outdoor Co-Leaders.
• Support Outdoor Leader training and facilitate modules as needed. 
  

Communication and Dependability 

• Work closely with Trip Directors and office staff for all trip planning and implementation needs.
• Act as point of contact in the field for internal stakeholders like Trip Directors and Co-Leaders, and external stakeholders like group trip contacts and program participants.
• Communicate clearly and effectively to receive and deliver information and feedback.
• Accurately and professionally represent the Wilderness Inquiry brand to program partners, participants, media, and the public

Pre-Trip & Post-Trip Administrative Responsibilities  

• Lead and actively participate in event-specific pre-trip meetings and post-trip debriefings with your team.
• Collaborate and coordinate with operations staff to pack-in and pack-out gear and food accordingly.
• Ensure completion of post-trip paperwork including evaluations, incident reports, site logs, tally forms, and trip summaries.
• Actively seek information about trip participants and activities before the start of a trip.
• In partnership with the Trip Director, communicate with contract contact and/or program participants before the event to ensure accurate information.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Successfully complete all necessary Wilderness Inquiry required training
• Basic First Aid & CPR Certification (or ability to obtain) 
• Desire to lead, motivate, and manage groups of varying ages, abilities, and identities in an outdoor setting 
• Ability to provide excellent customer service
• Ability to work as a team and conduct themselves in a way that contributes to a positive working environment with peers
• Willing to keep flexible hours
• 2 or more seasons/years of professional experience in outdoor recreation or education, leadership or guiding, group facilitation, or other related experience
• 2 or more seasons/years of experience in a demonstrated leadership or supervisory role
• Must pass a background check
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be legally allowed to work in the United States 
• Once hired, attendance at annual Outdoor Leader trainings and any activity-specific training required in order to accomplish the position including: North canoe training and assessment and driver training (if eligible)

For information on how to obtain certifications visit click this link.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Wilderness Water Safety, Lifeguard or other Professional Rescuer
• Current Driver’s License* and a safe driving record dating back at least five years
• 1 or more seasons or years of professional experience in outdoor recreation or education, leadership or guiding, group facilitation, or other related experience
• Experience working with individuals from diverse social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds.
• Proficiency in Spanish, American Sign Language, Hmong, or Somali

*Driver’s license status will not impact eligibility for hire but may impact eligibility to work specific programs/events

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; and use hands to handle, or touch objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On a regular occasion the employee may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. Must be able to lift and carry heavy loads up to 50 lbs over rough terrain for distances of up to 1,000 feet. To meet the demands of the job, the employee must be able to make loud verbal commands, sit and stand for significant periods of time while also directing vessels such as a canoe or kayak, use vision to directionally navigate safely, and endure a wide variety of temperatures and elements. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

COMPENSATION:

Outdoor Leaders are classified according to skill and experience. Compensation varies depending upon program type: 

• Day Programs: Hourly compensation on a scale of $21-$24/hr
• Overnight Programs: Compensated on a per event basis on a scale of $202-$232/day, plus additional compensation for pre-trip preparation work.

ROOM AND BOARD: 

While working Wilderness Inquiry assignments, food, lodging (campsites, tents, etc.), and transportation are covered. Extended Trip/Little Sand Bay Sea Kayak leaders will have community gear and food provided for the duration of their trips. Canoemobile Trip leaders are provided lunch while on day assignments. Temporary housing is provided during mandatory training in the Twin Cities.

Further details on compensation are available upon request. Opportunities for advancement are available upon demonstrated performance with Wilderness Inquiry. Professional service stipends available.

All Outdoor Leaders regardless of position/experience are compensated at $19/hr and/or $182/day for training.

SCHEDULE & TRAINING

The below training dates are mandatory for all new hires. New Primary Outdoor Leaders can start onboarding part-time as early as April 24, with the latest start date of May 7. 

• May 6 – 9, 2025: Primary Leader Training
• May 20 – 23, 2025: All-staff Wilderness Inquiry foundational training
• May 27 – 30, 2025: All-staff Wilderness Inquiry field training
• June – September: Main programming season consisting of extended overnight trips with optional local Canoemobile day programming. 
• September – October: Opportunities to continue with local Canoemobile day programs as well as transition to regional and national Canoemobile tours.

Qualified applicants will also be asked to participate in North Canoe Stern Training & Assessment and Driver Training, if applicable, scheduled at various times before and after the All-Staff training. All new Outdoor Leader hires are contingent upon successful completion of required training.  For more information, please contact Evan Jones, Program and Staffing Manager, at [email protected].