Second Nature Entrada is a licensed treatment program that uses the wilderness setting as a clinically focused intervention to teach students and adults about accountability, communication skills, and healthy emotional and behavioral habits. Treatment plans are individualized for each student and include flexible lengths of stay, group sessions, and individualized weekly therapy with doctorate level therapists.

What You'll Be Doing

Wilderness Field Instructors facilitate a clinically-focused wilderness experience that allows clients to actualize their potential. Field Instructors teach and role-model healthy expressions of emotion and appropriate behavior patterns while keeping the clients safe backpacking in the desert of southwestern Utah.

At Entrada, doctorate level therapists work together with Field Instructors as a treatment team. Instructors work in a team of three to four staff with a group of eight to ten clients. Treatment plans are individualized for each client, and include flexible lengths of stay, daily group therapy sessions, and individual therapy sessions.

The wilderness provides immediate natural consequences for client's choices. The treatment team is available to process this cause and effect relationship and facilitate the client making new choices in the future. Entrada focuses on teaching clients how to communicate assertively and be accountable for their choices.

In addition to the clinical approach, Field Instructors teach primitive skills, backpacking skills, and Leave No Trace ethics. Entrada clients and instructors backpack five days a week between two to ten miles a day. Instructors work an eight day shift in the backcountry with six days off to mountain bike, rock climb, travel, or simply relax.

Location

Entrada is the name of the beautiful red rock sandstone of southern Utah; it also means entrance or gateway. The field area, comprising of the Mojave Desert, the Sonoran Desert and the Great Basin eco-system, form a diverse and beautiful place to work. Amazing National Parks such as Zion, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon are nearby waiting to be explored on your week off.

The elevation in this area ranges anywhere from 4,000 to 8,000 feet. Temperatures in the summer range from the mid-sixties to the upper nineties; while winter temps are fairly mild, with the average low of the season reaching twenty-five degrees.

Time Commitment

All prospective Field Instructors will attend a seven day training period where you'll experience first-hand how the Entrada program works while enjoying a week in the amazing wilderness of Southern Utah. Trainees will learn to maintain client safety, role-model assertive communication skills and teach clients how to be accountable for their choices.

Participation in the training period does not guarantee you a job, although Entrada does have high hopes for you based on its requirements. At the end of the training period, you will be notified of your employment status.

Once accepted into the program, new instructors participate in an internship period. This consists of three, eight-day shifts. During the internship, new instructors have the chance to learn the program by watching, doing, and listening to the experiences of experienced staff. After the internship period, Field Instructors move through Second Nature's Level System (Levels I-V).

Perks & Rewards

Pay starts at $127/day and progresses up to $195/day with scheduled bonuses. Prior experience is recognized. Benefits include full health and dental insurance and a variety of professional gear deals. Entrada also provides training stipends for WFR, professional conferences, hard-skills workshops and other professional development.

Although housing is not provided, many people find living arrangements with other field instructors, sharing apartments with a person on your opposite schedule or renting a house together.

The Essentials

Instructors must be at least 21 years of age, have a high school diploma (or equivalent) and be certified in CPR/first aid. Preference is given to applicants with a Bachelor's degree in a related field or an equivalent amount of relevant experience, with certification in Wilderness First Responder, EMT or WEMT.

Since you will be backpacking and hiking most of your shift (2-10 miles per day), professional or personal wilderness and backpacking experience is a definite plus. Energetic, fun and creative individuals who love the outdoors are encouraged to apply.

Your First Move & Connections

Download the online application. Mail, email or fax your resume, cover letter, three professional letters of recommendation and a completed application.

• Read through the Second Nature Entrada FAQ »

View Larger Map

Navigation