ENR Jobs Board

Field Staff/Outdoor Educator, Deer Hill Expeditions

October 16, 2023 9:36 am

Mancos, CO

Position Title: Field Staff/Outdoor Educator

Location: Deer Hill Basecamp is located in Mancos, Colorado and programs run in Colorado, Utah, and the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni Nations

Organization Overview: Deer Hill provides wilderness adventure and cultural exchange through community service to 150 participants each summer and 20-30 organizations throughout the year. The organization is a small wilderness adventure camp based in Colorado that delivers a personalized experience. They maintain a staff to participant ratio of 1:4, and cap enrollment for each summer expedition team at 15. This gives participants the space and opportunity to shine as individuals.

Founders Doug and Beverly Capelin built Deer Hill’s Basecamp in Mancos, Colorado, at the feet of the majestic Rocky Mountains, and a stone’s throw from the rivers and canyons of southeast Utah. Over the past 30 years, the Capelins have built strong relationships with families and community leaders in the Navajo Nation and in Hopi and Zuni pueblos. Deer Hill’s programs are built on the kind of intimate relationships with people and places that take time and dedication to create.

Deer Hill leads expeditions for individually enrolled participants during the summer months, and groups with a custom designed program. Additionally, Deer Hill maintains its 130-acre Basecamp as a comfortable, nurturing environment that supports adventures into the field, or makes for a relaxing retreat. While other companies might focus on leading a tour, or teaching specific technical skills, Deer Hill goes beyond these services to include the richness of supported self-discovery.

Field staff are licensed river guides and climbing instructors, many of whom return year after year to work at Deer Hill. In the off-seasons, they work in a variety of fields all around the country, and bring these experiences to their work with Deer Hill.

Position Overview: Field staff bring a wide range of backgrounds and training to their role. The one element that staff have in common is the desire to provide participants with the most meaningful, educational, and fun programs possible. Every day, Deer Hill field staff make an impact on the lives of participants through their leadership and presence. Field staff instill in participants a strong foundation of outdoor skills, service work experience, communication and interpersonal skills in the mountains, deserts and rivers of the Southwest U.S. Field staff often find that their work with Deer Hill is deeply fulfilling because it is meaningful. They experience the daily richness of supporting participants as they take risks, build new skills, and ultimately learn to connect more fully with the wilderness, others and themselves.

Duties: A Field Staff team facilitates each Deer Hill program. The team ranges from 2-5 Field Staff, depending on the number of participants and type of activities. Field Staff may be contracted to work in several positions throughout the season; for example, a Field Staff may work two programs as a Program Leader and one program as an Instructor. Field Staff work with the Staff Manager to determine the best position for them for each contract, based on Deer Hill need and Field Staff ability. Field Staff positions include:

Program Leader: Responsible for the leadership, risk management and quality of each program. The Program Leader position is for individuals with exceptional technical and interpersonal skills, as well as familiarity with Deer Hill. Most individuals have worked a minimum of one Deer Hill program prior to working in a Program Leader position.
Instructor: This position is for individuals with experience and competence in the outdoor education field.
Assistant Instructor: This is an introductory position for individuals who are beginning to work in the outdoor education field. Some technical skill or teaching experience is recommended.
Internships: Please see the online application for the Internship Program.

Visit the Employment Opportunities page for more information on available positions and the Internship Program

Minimum Qualifications:

21 years of age minimum.
Able to work legally in the United States.
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Current CPR and WFR certifications, minimum.
Able to pass criminal background check with CBI and FBI.
Able to manage participant and program needs 24/7 for the duration of the contract.
Successful professional experience guiding and teaching groups in wilderness settings.

Desired Qualifications:

River experience rowing oar frames and paddle boats.
Motivated to create impactful, meaningful experiences for adolescents.
Flexible and able to adapt to changing situations.
Desire to be of service to others.
Self-aware and engaged in own personal growth.
Excellent communication skills.
Affective organization abilities.
Able to work well independently and with others.
Grounded, fun, and hard-working.

Start/End Dates: Field Staff may apply for spring, summer or both seasons. Each contract is for a program that ranges between 1 and 4 weeks in length. Field Staff can either work a single contract or multiple contracts, depending on Deer Hill need and Field Staff preference. Preference is given to applicants with open availability.

Salary/Pay:

Program Leaders: $140.00/day
Instructors: $106.00/day
Assistant Instructors: $80.00/day
Wages increase with days worked at Deer Hill, other professional experience on wilderness trips, SPI or Swiftwater certifications, or a major or minor in outdoor education.

How to Apply: Complete the online application and make sure to address any pertinent experience, including professional and personal experience, that is relevant to this position. Contact operations@deerhillexpeditions.com with any questions.