Adventure Jobs North America

It's time to blend a little excitement with your career for a summer, season or year-round! An adventurous lifestyle means to grow through passion, challenge and risk taking. It's about learning to look at the world through curious eyes—to wonder what's on the other side of the mountain—and allowing wanderlust to become your guide. You'll work hard and you'll play hard; the intimacy of your adventurous pursuits will allow you to see, hear, taste, and smell more intensely.

Whether you love the water (canoe guides, kayak guides, white-water rafting guides, river guides, fishing guides, lifeguards, boat captains, cruise ship staff), the land (cycling guides, horseback guides, natural history guides, safari guides, tour leaders, trail staff), the mountains (climbing guides, mountaineering guides, ski guides) or outdoor adventure (outfitting staff, outdoor educators, tour guides, trek leaders, trip leaders, wilderness specialists), you'll find it here!

As the oldest outfitter in the Southeast, Wildwater offers rafting on four rivers in the Carolinas and Tennessee, canoe and kayak clinics, Raft & Rail© excursions, team-building retreats, a variety of lodging facilities and plenty of seasonal work opportunities to explore. Guide and Trip Leader positions are the most numerous and the most sought after; however, if you love people (and don't have the desire to play in water all day), you might consider a land-based position, including Reservations, Front Desk/Retail Management and Marketing staff, Transportation Drivers and the Food Service team. Preference is given to those who can work from March through October; however, opportunities do exist for the summer months. In addition to competitive wages, free staff housing and meal options for a small fee, you can also expect unlimited river trips, complimentary tickets and lodging discounts and pro deal purchases. Applicants who have a positive attitude, good work ethic and friendly personality are always at the top of the hiring list. Guides must be 18 and certified in first aid and CPR; a Guide School Program is offered in the spring for training potential employees.

• Wildwater invites you to consider the challenge of working in an outdoor environment as part of a team. You'll learn new skills, work in a variety of settings, enjoy fun and recreation, work with people with similar interests, make lifetime friendships, and participate in a valuable work experience.

Are you looking to work for a dynamic and well-organized company who offers competitive salaries, top-notch logistical support, and desirable itineraries to enticing and off-the-beaten path destinations? Come discover the USA and Canada with Windigo. Specializing in customized small group camping, lodging, hiking and themed tours for international clients traveling in a 15-passenger van (with 5x8' cargo trailer), Windigo is looking for adventurous leaders to drive, guide, and oversee the day-to-day logistics of your tour. Responsibilities include researching unfamiliar destinations, providing daily briefings, relaying historical, geographical and cultural information, handling group dynamics, maintaining outdoor equipment, organizing food shopping and cooking, and ensuring a safe and fun experience for all passengers. Applicants must be at least 23 years of age, have a clean driving record, and a love for the outdoors. Foreigners with bilingual capabilities in French, German, Dutch or Italian and English are also needed. If you have an adventurous spirit, strong leadership and organizational skills, and are looking for an exciting challenge, email your resume and cover letter to Jessica Harris. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, check out a detailed job description. Positions are available from May through September for a partial or full season.

• Do you want to hit the open road, have adventures of a lifetime and get paid? Join a team that is passionate about organizing and delivering high-quality tours for people from all over the world. As a Windigo Tour Leader, you'll travel to amazing places and create experiences of a lifetime!

Imagine traversing sky bridges stretched high above the forest floor and zipping across cables hung between lofty hemlock and spruce trees. As the first company to bring the thrill and excitement of zipline canopy tours to the Alaskan rainforest, Alaska Canopy Adventures operates its zipline expeditions with daily ship excursions from Herring Cove, Ketchikan and Douglas Island, Juneau. Whether you want to spend your summer high above the ground, on the water, or at the docks, seasonal job opportunities include Canopy (Zipline) Guides, Tour Coordinators, Marine Personnel/Deckhands, Boat Captains, Store Clerks, Driver Guides, as well as management and supervisory positions. Preference is given to those who can commit from mid-April through the end of September. You can expect to work 6 to 10 hours per day with at least one day off each week. Benefits include one of the most competitive pay rates in Alaska, paid training, gratuities, and incredible discounts on all sorts of local tours. Some positions require experience and/or specific skills and licenses. If you love the outdoors and working with people, view detailed job descriptions, fill out the online application and begin your journey in the Alaskan rainforest.

• Looking to fly high on the ultimate eco-adventure work experience this summer? The Alaska Canopy Adventures team provides once-in-a-lifetime rainforest canopy challenges for guests with the help of ziplines, suspension bridges, off-road vehicles and jet boats.

For over 20 years, Alaska Excursions has been providing the "E.X.C.U.R.S.I.O.N. of a lifetime" to its guests, staff members, and animals.  And, the 2012 season will be no different, featuring four different excursions, including Musher's Camp (Juneau & Skagway), Chilkoot Horseback Adventure (Skagway), and Grizzly Falls Zip-lining Expedition (Skagway). Summer job opportunities include Dog Mushers & Handlers (with or without dogs), Horseback Guides, Zip-line Guides, Driver/Guides, Unimog Drivers, and Office & Dock staff. Management positions may be available in all areas as well. The company offers competitive pay rates that range from $12-$17/hour as well as outstanding bonus compensation opportunities. Most positions are in the tip pool. Affordable company housing is available too. If you want to work with Alaska Excursions, you should enjoy meeting and talking with new people and have the ability to entertain them. A positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to providing excellent guest service are all important, and you should enjoy working with animals too. Positions run from beginning of May through the end of September. Submit a completed application to jobs@alaskaexcursions.com. Resumes and cover letters are welcome but not required.

• Ever imagine pulling a team of powerful huskies in custom-made wheeled dog sleds, leading horseback tours through Alaska's most breathtaking valleys and backcountry, or guiding guests on an exciting zipline adventure? The summer team at Alaska Excursions will have the opportunity to earn a great pay while working in a fun, positive environment.

Interested in an Alaska adventure of a lifetime? With five wilderness lodges, a fleet of luxury motor coaches, and the largest domed train cars in the world, Alaska Tour Jobs offers a variety of jobs in Alaska with Princess Cruises & Holland America Line (HAP). HAP's Alaska Lodge Jobs relate to the guest experience while on property, with positions available in food & beverage, front desk, gift shop, housekeeping and maintenance. Exciting Tour Division Jobs include positions ranging from driver guides, day boat crew, and rail services maintenance. While full summer season dates are preferred (May through September), several locations in Alaska, Seattle, and Vancouver will hire applicants with a limited date range. Full-time positions are also available. Along with a competitive wage, employees may cruise onboard ships at deeply discounted voyage rates while also enjoying significant onboard discounts. In addition, employees are eligible for corporate air rates and discounts on HAP land and cruise tours, as well as Alaska lodge, motor coach, and rail packages. If you are an adventurous individual with a passion for working with the public, fill out the online application (you can apply to multiple locations at the same time!).

• Alaska. The Last Frontier. Be it seeing moose or eating salmon for the first time, going to bed in the middle of the night with the sun still shining, or hiking to the top of a snow-capped mountain, this great state hosts a whole array of unique, only-in-Alaska experiences. Read about Alaska Tour Jobs stories here »

Are you a spirited adventurer looking to experience Alaska this summer with a cool job? With a commitment to ecotourism and small-group interactive experiences, Alaska Wildland Adventures offers wilderness lodge-based travel, tours and adventure vacations in Alaska's Kenai Peninsula and Denali National Park. AWA also owns and operates Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, Kenai Riverside Lodge and the Kenai Backcountry Lodge. Outdoor adventure your passion? Summer job opportunities include guide positions (fishing, rafting, natural history, sea kayak and safari guides), campground hosts & innkeepers, drivers, outdoor leadership staff and adventure program interns. Behind-the-scenes your strength? Plenty of options to choose from, including cooks, hospitality staffers, trip packers, maintenance and office staff. Salaries vary dependent on experience and also include gratuities. Rustic cabin-tent housing (with staff kitchen and lounge) is provided along with a payroll deduction for meals at the Riverside Lodge and free room and board at the backcountry lodges. Most positions run from mid-May through mid-September; however, some positions have flexible start/end dates. For more information, job descriptions, essential requirements and to download an application, please visit awaSummerJobs.com. Hiring is conducted though April 30th each year (or until positions fill), with interviews most often conducted by phone.

• Do you have skills and experience in natural history interpretation, guiding, outdoor leadership and recreation, fish guiding, rafting, maintenance, and/or hospitality? Find the perfect Alaska summer job with Alaska Wildland Adventures.

As a stepping stone to the greater world of guiding and backcountry recreating, Chilkat Guides—based in the picturesque town of Haines, Alaska—will teach anyone with the aptitude and interest how to guide themselves and others safely in and out of the wild. Whether activities include trail hikes, float trips, wilderness safaris or river expeditions, Summer Guides, Trip Leaders and Naturalists get participants excited about the great outdoors. Their annual guide school (beginning mid-April for those without guiding experience) is by invitation only and requires a $150 materials deposit (includes a waterproof jacket with Chilkat Guides logo). All invitees successfully completing the guide school are offered employment as guides from May through the end of September. Compensation starts at $10/hour for straight guiding with added incentives for trip leaders and naturalists (expect overtime which is paid at time and a half). Applicants must have the desire to work long and hard (usually 6-12 hours per day) in sometimes unpleasant conditions, be athletic and have a love for people. In addition to Guide positions, Office, Maintenance, Catering, Dock staff and Day Boat Captains & Crew are needed as well as active seniors to work as commercial Bus Drivers (with training provided). Applications are available online.

• With over 100 people on staff at Chilkat Guides, each team member is highly qualified and passionate about the wonders of the Alaska region and what they do. Meet the team »

Spend your summer on a bike in one of the most spectacular regions in the world, working and playing in Southeast Alaska and the Yukon in Canada! Since 1988, Sockeye Cycle Co. has offered bicycle tours, rentals, sales and service with shops in Haines and Skagway. Seasonal positions are available as guides, van drivers, mechanics, sales reps and assistant managerial staff from April through September. The majority of positions are based in Skagway and involve daily tour operations. Daily tours are three hours long with groups of twelve and two guides; other overnight and multi-day tours go out at varying dates and times based on staffing and seniority. Wages start at $10/hour, plus a performance bonus upon completion of your contract (some positions are salaried). Contracts are for a minimum 3-month commitment. Employee housing is available for a fee. At minimum, applicants must be U.S. citizens, 23 years old and have a clean driving record. Job descriptions and an application is available online. Interviews begin in the fall with most positions filled by April 1st.

• If you are looking to work and play in Alaska and Canada this summer, Sockeye Cycle Co. is hiring guides, van drivers, bicycle mechanics and sales reps.

Modeled after Tibet's first monastery—a three-dimensional mandala—Odiyan Retreat Center is home to Resident Volunteers donating their energy and time to the projects of this Northern California Tibetan Buddhist center. Learn new skills and share your knowledge with while living in a beautiful natural environment. Join a way of life that integrates creative and challenging work with a path of self-exploration that opens up the individual's inner potential. The wholesome, down-to-earth community environment coupled with meaningful work creates a positive setting to learn about oneself while contributing to worthy efforts. No special skills are required and no religious affiliation is necessary to participate.

Current work includes construction, maintenance, gardening, landscaping, foundry and metal work, cooking and kitchen management. You will receive housing, vegetarian meals, a living allowance of $150 per month, hands-on training and work experience. Periodically classes are offered on Tibetan yoga, Skillful Means (work as a path of growth), Buddhist history and art, Tibetan language, as well as discussion groups.

Volunteers must be at least 22 years of age. Minimum commitment is six months with a 30-day trial period. If you are mature, hard working, positive-minded, and interested in learning about Buddhism call (510) 981-1987 or email volunteer@odiyan.org.

• Volunteer in one of the most spectacular Tibetan Buddhist centers in the world while learning and engaging with a community of like-minded individuals dedicating themselves to work for the benefit of all humanity. View photos of the work »

Connecting adventurers to the least developed and least visited shorelines in the San Juan Islands, Anacortes Kayak Tours offers four unique trips: a 1.5 hour Deception Pass trip, half day and full day kayak trips directly from Fidalgo Island, and multi-day kayaking adventures. Prior to leading guests on the water, Summer Sea Kayak Guides participate in a formal class with professional coaches along with a fairly intensive in-house training program. You will learn how to use high-end paddling equipment, handle currents, read weather, and find wildlife—all while razzle-dazzling your guests. Guides must commit to at least a mid-June through Labor Day timeframe, in addition to pre-season training activities. Office/logistics staff are also hired each year. Wages start at $10/hour and go up to $14/hour. There is a fee for the training course, but much of this is reimbursed upon completion of the season. Hardworking, outdoorsy-type folks with a sunny outlook on life will thrive here. Mail or email your resume with details about your personal and professional experience (applications are by resume only).

• With one of the most comprehensive kayak guide training programs in the region, Anacortes Kayak Tours is looking for professional, mature and fun-loving individuals who are looking to work and play in the great outdoors.

With awesome tree top adventure courses, zip-wires, Tarzan swings, giant rope nets and general monkey business, the Go Ape! experience gets the adrenalin pumping, gets people out of their comfort zones, and above all (no pun intended), it's just great fun. Now recruiting Instructors to assist with operations at the Rock Creek Regional Park course in Rockville, MD and at Freedom Park, in Williamsburg, VA. The Instructor's role is to assist in successfully running the course and meeting targets. This may include any aspect of course operation including handling equipment, facilities, health and safety, guest care, and administration. A variety of seasonal contracts are available from March through December. Instructors will be provided with full training, a competitive hourly wage, paid lunches, and the opportunity to work in a fast growing and exciting business. Hard working, enthusiastic individuals that can work as part of a dynamic team are encouraged to apply. You should have a passion for working in the outdoors, excellent communication skills, a proven track record in customer service, and a sense of adventure. Oh, and of course, you'll also need to be comfortable with heights! To apply, email your resume and a cover letter describing your suitability for the job.

• Now recruiting hard working and friendly adventure types with excellent customer care to give GoApe! guests an experience to remember every time they visit.

Ready to soar and glide into the trees? Committed to designing, operating and managing the highest quality zipline canopy tours available in the Southeastern U.S., Adventure America Zipline Canopy Tours is seeking highly motivated and professional people who are interested in exposing visitors to the great outdoors. Canopy Rangers will lead small and large groups, instruct guests on proper use of canopy tour course and equipment, and share facts and stories about the environment and region. Lead Canopy Rangers will set the tone for the team, lead by example at all times, assist with physical and emotional challenges, maintain a timely experience using ziplines & high level climbing gear, and coordinate with other team members while leading groups. Canopy Course Managers will coordinate all aspects of the canopy tour site, maintain a professional, friendly work and operational environment, administer budget and payroll, and works closely with the Wildwater team to insure smooth operations for all.

Job opportunities are available from March through September at one of four locations: Nantahala Gorge in North Carolina, Chattooga Ridge in South Carolina, and Pigeon River & Ocoee River Basin in Tennessee; each offering fully guided tours with at least 10 zips, 4 bridges and a training course. AAZCT offers competitive wages and benefits. Apply now!

• Cool Job of the Week: WSPA.com (CBS affiliate) showcases Canopy Ranger Lee Allison at Nantahala Gorge. Learn what it's really like to work for Adventure America Zipline Canopy Tours.

With programs designed to teach leadership, teamwork, creative problem solving, self-responsibility, confidence building, community living and outdoor skills, Adventure Treks provides unique outdoor experiences for teens, ages 12-18. In the summer months, 16-29 day adventure program destinations include Alaska, Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Colorado, New England, North/South Carolina, and British Columbia; while in the fall, wilderness-based programs are offered for up to a week for school students in the mountains of North Carolina. Doubling as teacher, role model and trip coordinator with five other leaders, Wilderness Instructors manage group dynamics, coordinate trip logistics, maintain outdoor equipment and teach outdoor skills, including backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, sailing, whitewater kayaking, cooking and orienteering. Benefits include a competitive salary, partial travel reimbursement for summer adventures, room and board while training and working, pro-deal purchases and the opportunity to work during the summer and fall. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age (college graduate preferred), certified in WFR/CPR, have several years experience working with teens and/or leading wilderness programs, solid outdoor skills in a variety of activities and the ability to work long hours with little or no time off. To begin the application process, email your resume to Dave McGlashan. Applications are due by April 30th for summer positions and August 15th for the fall season.

• The Power of Six Instructors!
Adventure Treks is the only wilderness program to feature 24 students with 6 instructors on most trips. Six instructors ensure that there is always an instructor available to do what's most important: be actively involved with the students and to get to know them as individuals. Check out this staff orientation video »

Are you ready for an adventure?
Since 1979, Mountain Workshop has been providing school aged children with a variety of adventure education and experiential education programming. For six months of every year, Mountain Workshop exposes nearly three thousand 8-17 year olds to a variety of outdoor endeavors, including but not limited to: canoeing, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, hiking, caving, group team building initiatives, orienteering, backpacking, high and low ropes, and survival skills. Field Staff are responsible for co-leading these participants in spectacular wilderness settings throughout the Northeast—making even the hardest day on the job well worth the amazing experience. The season runs May through October, with full season and "shoulder season" positions available. Benefits include competitive per diem rates, meals for all overnight trips, pro deal purchases and extensive training. Applicants should posses 3-5 years of facilitation experience in an outdoor setting, a personal commitment to the fields of AE and EE, and the ability to positively engage children in a variety of settings. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, although priority will go to staff that apply early and commit to a full season. Become a member of the Mountain Workshop Team and seize the opportunity to share with others the joy of being active in the great outdoors!

• Mountain Workshop staff are dynamic, energetic people committed to creating personal growth opportunities for youth in the outdoors. They come from many different professional backgrounds including school teachers, park rangers, athletic coaches, camp counselors, ski instructors, river guides, outdoor equipment retailers, adventure course facilitators, social workers, military veterans and college students.

Whether by canoe, sea kayak, skis, dog sled, horse pack or backpack, Wilderness Inquiry connects people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities with the natural world while inspiring personal growth. Trail staff are responsible for organizing and leading rigorous single-day events and extended wilderness adventures primarily in North America. Typically, 2-3 staff conduct each trip for 10-14 participants. Over the course of a single trip, leaders may fill the roles of pack horse, teacher, rehabilitation specialist, folksinger, chef, personal-relationship counselor, storyteller, disciplinarian, dishwasher, and bush doctor. Seasonal positions are offered from May through October with potential opportunities for continued work throughout the winter. A 10-day staff training conducted in early June provides skills in canoeing, camp craft, leadership and risk management. Benefits include a per diem stipend from $45 to $110, along with meals while working and staff housing between trips. In addition to having current certification in advanced first aid, water safety and CPR, individuals with previous experience working outdoors and with people with disabilities are desired. Summer Coordinator positions, an Urban Wilderness Canoe Guide, and year-round Internships are also available. Details and application materials are available at WildernessInquiry.org.

• With a passion for creating high-quality outdoor adventure travel experiences accessible for everyone (including those who do not typically get out and enjoy the wilderness), Wilderness Inquiry staff members will lead their group to some of the most amazing places on earth.

Are you looking for an opportunity to see all that North America has to offer? Become a Group Leader for an outfit whose heritage dates back to the 70's and the very earliest days of adventure travel. Intrepid Travel and TrekAmerica have teamed up to offer unsurpassed opportunities within the U.S. and Canada for adventure travel. Not only did Outside Magazine rate them as one of the Best Places to Work, but they also received the prestigious award for Best Tour Operator to the USA. Each member of their experienced operations team got their start in the industry as a Group Leader, thus lending to the family feel of their company. Group Leaders will organize budget lodging and camping tours throughout the United States and Canada for a wide range of nationalities and ages—whether experiencing the solitude of nature or the hustle and bustle of a metropolitan area. Applicants must be at least 23 years of age, have the legal right to work in the U.S. or Canada, have a clean driving record, and be an organized, outgoing, adventurous individual interested in a seasonal, summer job beginning as early as April. If you have the skills to accommodate a diverse group of travelers and the desire to escape the 9 to 5 syndrome, email your resume and brief cover letter to usjobs@peakadventuretravel.com.

• Do you want to share your love of North America and the great outdoors with the rest of the world? Doubling as travel guide and driver, Group Leaders for Intrepid Travel and TrekAmerica take small groups on exciting adventures throughout the U.S. and Canada.

It's time to power up and push your vocation to its full potential. Explore Outside Magazine's life expanding work-and-play adventure plan with a monthly subscription.

Each summer, scores of students road trip along America's highways in search of something they can't find at school. Find out how you too can join a team (as a writer, photographer or coordinator) and hit the road with Roadtrip Nation. For a roadtrip pump-up, a must read is Roadtrip Nation: A Guide to Discovering Your Path in Life, filled with interviews of successful people who had made their own way in the world. Perfect for the entrepreneurial attitudes of so many twenty-somethings.

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