RedCliff Ascent Wilderness Treatment Program

For over a decade now, RedCliff Ascent's wilderness therapy program has helped thousands of teenagers (age 13 to 17), young adults (ages 18 to 25), and their families find a new beginning. Teens are exposed to an environment where drugs, violence, sex, money and peer pressure are an ever-present force that affects both their behavior and perception of life. RedCliff programs help put life in perspective while dealing with the issues and problems that currently govern their existence.

What You'll Be Doing

Working with therapy teams and program administrators, Outdoor Field Instructors are responsible for ensuring student physical and emotional safety (not necessarily comfort) without interfering with the natural consequences provided by the wilderness.

A big part of the job is becoming a good mentor—helping participants discover their limits while having fun and holding them accountable to their obligations. The group environment is a wonderful tool to help accomplish this. Whether helping with the daily routine or teaching survival skills, RedCliff staff learn to function as a team, both with each other and with the youth they are mentoring to reach new heights of achievement.

RedCliff Field Staff Member

Employment with RedCliff
is more than a job;
it's a lifestyle!

Few roles are more fulfilling in life than the role of mentor, and few jobs offer the wide range of opportunities, which RedCliff offers to its field staff. Hiking, camping, backpacking, beautiful scenery, wildlife, and dynamic interpersonal relationships all come with the job. Add to this the chance to tone up the physique and improve one's level of self confidence and personal character, and you have a job that is hard to beat.

Need more staff details? Explore the RedCliff employment page and FAQs.

Video Feed View a selection of RedCliff Ascent videos:

Staff Training »

Staff Perspectives »

Gear »

Location

Backpacking adventures with Redcliff Ascent

RedCliff is located in the beautiful red rock and high desert terrain of southwest Utah and covers an area of 650 square miles.

Time Commitment

As a year-round operation, RedCliff Ascent asks for at least a 6-month commitment (a $1,500 bonus is provided for those who commit to one year). Field Instructors work an eight-day-on, six-day-off shift. The eight days are spent backpacking in the wilderness with the youth.

Prospective instructors are invited to attend an eight day training period. During this timeframe, you will be taught wilderness survival skills, such as bow drill fires, camp set up and tear down, hiking and backpacking as well as therapeutic and communication skills.

2010 Training Dates:
April 29th—May 7th
July 8th—16th
September 2nd—10th
November 11th—19th

Benefits

Learning how to start a fire

Entry-level staff start out earning $100 per day. Pay moves up incrementally to the highest paid positions of $162 per day (most staff members are able to achieve this level within 18 months). Bonuses (for contract completion and participation in the risk-management incentive program) and gear stipends all combine to make RedCliff's pay scale very attractive. Medical and dental insurance benefits are available once you become a Head Field Instructor.

Although housing is not provided during time off, many field instructors end up living together.

The Essentials

Field instructors must be at least 21 years of age, have a high school degree or equivalent, have current CPR and first aid certification (which is offered by RedCliff at no cost) and love the outdoors. Applicants must also be able to pass an annual physical examination, pre-employment and random drug screening tests and a Federal Criminal Background Check.

The successful applicant must be self-motivated, resourceful, mature, able to handle stressful situations with a sense of humor and be willing to learn. Wilderness experience is helpful; however, RedCliff will teach the necessary skills.

Teaching out in the field

If you prefer a hike in the backcountry to a walk in the park, or waking to the wind in the trees over the sound of an alarm, then this career might be for you.

Your First Move

In addition to filling out the online application, be prepared to send three letters of professional recommendation, a resume with a cover letter and copies of all current certifications.

Information for applicants who reside outside the U.S.

Connections

Darcy Rusel
Recruiter
RedCliff Ascent
757 S. Main St.
Springville, UT 84663

View Facebook Page View YouTube Page

888.588.HIKE (4453)
435.632.4584
801.491.8598 fax

jobs@redcliffascent.com
www.redcliffascent.com
www.wildernesswork.com



View Larger Map

Navigation

RedCliff Ascent can be found in the Wilderness Therapy Ventures channel

Backdoorjobs.com: Your Home for Short-Term Job Adventures, Summer Jobs, Seasonal Work, Internships, Volunteering (and more!) in the U.S. & Abroad