Instructing Wilderness Courses

Our field staff come from a vast array of backgrounds, talents and experiences, and they are united by a sincere interest in growth and development of others on a personal, group and larger societal level.

Outward Bound field staff are trained to identify, assess and approach risk as a learning tool to be managed, but not eliminated, with the goal of providing Outward Bound students with the opportunity to gain insights and perspectives—unavailable anywhere else—for their and their group’s capabilities.

New instructional staff all start as Instructors and receive mentorship and professional development from their peers and supervisors to become Lead Instructors. These documents outline different pathways to becoming Instructors in the Bay Area and Instructors in the High Sierra course areas (please note these positions used to be titled Assistant Instructors, so the documents still refer to that). If you’re ready to apply for a field position visit our Careers Page.

Instruction, Facilitation, Character
We need educators who are compassionate and articulate and who can convert the Outward Bound experience into a life lesson. Communication skills including active listening, giving and receiving feedback and clearly conveying expectations are important skills for instructors. Passion, confidence and humor are vital to the success of our staff.

Outdoor Skills
Outward Bound delivers programming through a variety of unique elements and diverse course areas. Elements include: backpacking, rock climbing, sea kayaking, and mountaineering. Competence in one or more of these areas is required for an instructor position. A general comfort in the outdoors and remote areas is also required for all of our instructors. Most importantly we are looking to build on a basic foundation in outdoor judgment: the ability to make safe decisions under challenging circumstances.

Leadership
We are seeking educators with leadership experience with youth at other outdoor organizations and/or working with youth. Qualities we are in search of include: character, integrity, compassion, interest in personal and professional development and an understanding of and passion for equity and inclusion.

Physical and Emotional Stamina
Applicants must be sufficiently fit to participate in all the course activities for a given course element and maintain energy, strength and focus to assist students and co-instructors with physical and emotional obstacles.

General Requirements

• 21 years or older
• Current Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid (WFR or WFA) certification and adult CPR upon hire

Outward Bound California is an equal opportunity employer and works to include diversity among its staff. Outward Bound California values the inclusion and collaboration among employees of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Outward Bound California prohibits discrimination against, and harassment of, any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, qualified individuals with a disability on the basis of the disability, or any other category which may be protected under applicable state or federal law. Outward Bound California also promotes respect for all people, and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics nor on differences based on gender identity or expression.

As we strive to reflect the communities we serve, women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.