Outward Bound field staff are the heart and soul of all of our courses. They are compassionate, engaging educators who delight in inspiring students to grow and learn. Our field staff come from all walks of life and possess a vast array of backgrounds, talents, and experience. Solid group facilitation, life experience, enthusiasm, and teaching skill are as valued as personal technical ability. Some field staff have worked previously in outdoor education before joining us at Outward Bound, while others come straight from college or from other careers.

Outdoor Technical Skills: Our course areas are incredibly diverse. We seek the same diversity in the technical skills of our incoming instructional staff. We need individuals with a variety of the following skills: backpacking, backcountry navigation, rock climbing, mountaineering, flat and whitewater canoe expeditioning, whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, sailing, desert travel, canyoneering, winter camping and dogsledding. Incoming instructors will be matched with a course area and activities suited to their experience and skills. All staff must appreciate and feel comfortable in remote outdoor environments, with solid experience in the primary activities of at least one of our course areas. Applicants should possess a basic knowledge of and ability to teach wilderness preservation philosophy and practices. Extended backpacking, paddling or climbing trips are the most common ways our staff have developed their expedition skills. Most importantly, we look for and will build upon a subtle, yet important skill: outdoor judgment--the ability to make sound, safe decisions under challenging circumstances. Logistics Coordinators and Interns are not required to have the above technical skills, though outdoor experience is valuable to the positions.

Click here to review the minimum technical standards for the western US (Utah, Colorado, Washington state, Oregon, California, Alaska).

Teaching, Communication and Character: We need people who are compassionate, sensitive, careful listeners, and articulate communicators. These are mature and humble folks who can convert the Outward Bound experience into lessons in life, and are genuinely interested in the growth and development of others. Previous experience in group dynamics is desired, especially for those working with adolescents. A love for the outdoors, common sense, and a sense of humor are vital to the success of our staff.

Minimum Certifications Required:

• Lead Instructor / Instructor: Wilderness First Responders (WFR) or Wilderness Emergency Medical Technicians (WEMT)
• Logistics Coordinator: Standard First Aid
• Intern: Advanced First Aid

Note: All staff are required to have CPR certification. Additional certifications are sometimes required, and depend on course activity.

Leadership: We look for leadership experience at other outdoor organizations, in education and in public service. Most importantly, we look for leadership qualities of character, empathy, commitment and competence. Field staff at Outward Bound are passionate about their work with students, and are skilled at finding varied ways to offer leadership to, and rapport with, a group of students of any age.

Physical and Emotional Stamina: Applicants must be sufficiently fit to participate in all course activities and maintain ample energy, strength, and focus to assist students with physical and emotional obstacles. Outward Bound courses challenge instructors with 18-mile hikes, all-day and into the night paddles, sometimes-uncooperative students, changing weather and separation from friends and family.

Time Commitment: Summer is our busiest time at Outward Bound. Almost all of our field staff begin with work at one of our summer programs, most of which run May - August. Our training program is extensive and skills learned build on one another. To really blossom as a member of our staff requires a commitment of two or more summers.