Outdoor Field Instructor

Positions available – We have several different options depending on the season. Please look closely!

1. Resident Outdoor Field Instructor (7.5 month position) – March 26, 2025 – October 31, 2025 ($500 end of season bonus)
2. Spring Outdoor Field Instructor – March 26, 2025 – May 31, 2025 
3. Spring/Summer Outdoor Field Instructor – March 26, 2025 – August 26, 2025 (flexible end date)
4. Summer/Fall Outdoor Field Instructor – May 30, 2025 – October 31, 2025
5. Summer Camp Instructor – May 30, 2025 – August 15, 2025 (flexible end date)
6. Fall Outdoor Field Instructor – August 27, 2025 – October 31, 2025

Location: Spruce Knob Mountain Center, Circleville, WV
Experience Learning is seeking outdoor professionals to lead high-quality, adventure-based, outdoor education programs in backcountry environments throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

Position Overview:

Based at the remote Spruce Knob Mountain Center in West Virginia, Field Instructors lead students on Wilderness Learning courses (both field and residential based), helping people become confident, competent individuals with a clear vision of their responsibilities and potential for improving the human condition and the natural world.

Our courses typically serve students in 5th-12thgrade. Courses can include 1-2 day dorm based courses, 1-2 day off-site courses in local communities (visiting WV public schools), 4-8 day field courses (Private schools from the Mid-Atlantic region) both in the nearby national forest, as well as variety of off-site courses in wild spaces throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, including the Appalachian Trail.

Field Instructors help students gain confidence, experience, and appreciation for mountains through lessons and activities such as hiking, backpacking, camp craft, orienteering, caving, stream ecology, forest ecology, geology, rock climbing, canoeing, outdoor cooking, stewardship projects, and survival skills. In addition, Field Instructors tailor courses to meet the thematic goals of each school served, leading students in discussions and initiatives around leadership, communication, environmental stewardship, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.

While living and working on-site Field Instructors will also have the opportunity to cook for large groups, as well as be on-call at different points in time throughout the season.

Our ideal candidate will be able to:

• Maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment for students and guests
• Prepare and deliver hands-on, experiential, and inquiry-based lessons in a remote outdoor setting for both day and evening programs
• Lead 1-8 day residential (dorm based) and field-based programs in challenging settings that include hiking, backpacking, camp craft, orienteering, caving, stream ecology, forest ecology, geology, rock climbing, canoeing, stewardship projects, outdoor cooking, and survival skills
• Facilitate discussions and initiatives around leadership, communication, environmental stewardship, teamwork, creative problem-solving, and other subjects
• Implement and model excellent risk management strategies and administer first aid as needed
• Teach and lead groups in the outdoors, in varying weather conditions, and on uneven terrain
• Prepare facilities and gear before trips and clean facilities and gear at the end of trips
• Prepare and cook meals for visiting educational and rental groups with little supervision
• Maintain a professional demeanor while interacting with groups and guests
• Assist with facility upkeep as needed, including basic carpentry, repairs, vehicle maintenance, and general troubleshooting

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent life experience
• Must be 21+ years of age or older
• Minimum of Wilderness First Aid (WFA) & CPR/AED certification (Required)
  • WFA class offered on-site March 28-30, 2025
• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification (Preferred)
  • WFR class offered August 10-19, 2025
• Valid driver’s license
• Must be able to hike 10 miles on uneven and mountainous terrain
• Able to carry a 35-40 pound backpack
• Effective communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills
• Positive attitude, determination, and unassailable work ethic
• Teaching experience, either formal or informal
• Ability to confidently lead groups in a remote outdoor setting
• Desire to teach and work with young people from varying social and economic backgrounds
• Curiosity about the natural world and willingness to learn academic natural science lessons
• Experience working in the outdoors, especially in inclement weather
• Ability to live in shared space with other instructors and practice positive self-care.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and some weekends
• Desire to live in a remote place with an outstanding community of outdoor professionals and to work hard to make positive change in our world

Benefits:

• Daily compensation rate: $65.00-$105 a day based on the merit-based scale. On average our instructors begin at $85-$95/day
  • See the Merit Based Pay tab to see what pay range you might fall in
• Shared housing provided
• 1 day of health leave per month worked
• Access to pro deals
• Opportunities for organizational advancement