The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) is a values-based outdoor adventure and education provider for teens and adults interested in personal growth and professional development.

NCOAE is seeking exceptional individuals to join their growing team of outdoor adventure-based field instructors and program administrators!

From North Carolina to Alaska to the high Himalayas to Patagonia, The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) is a values-based outdoor and adventure education provider for teens and adults interested in personal growth and professional development.

NCOAE develops and facilitates professionally guided outdoor experiences to foster an engaged educational community through NCOAE's core curriculum, which focuses on personal growth and the acquisition of technical and academic skills. With courses and trainings that vary in length from three days to three months, this unique outdoor adventure program allows students to fully engage in a variety of outdoor and wilderness activities including backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, remote backcountry travel and camping.

Participating in an NCOAE course has been one of the greatest experiences of my life! It helped me to grow emotionally and taught me skills that I am able to transfer into my everyday life. I am truly grateful and lucky to have been a part of this program. The wilderness adventures I experienced, including backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, rafting, kayaking and surfing, were ones I’ll never forget. NCOAE Instructors were teachers, friends and role models and along with the other students on my course, I felt I've made a family for life. Thanks NCOAE! —Aaron M.

Career/Year-Round Job Opening

As a values-based organization, everyone on the team—from the executive staff to field instructors—are committed to living (and teaching) NCOAE's core values: Challenge by Choice, Collaboration, Compassion, Innovation, Proactiveness and Resiliency.

Outdoor Ed Program Director
The Outdoor Education Program Director (OEPD) will provide leadership and proactive consultation in responding to the educational needs of NCOAE's Outdoor Education programs. Serving in a leadership role, the OEPD is responsible for the safety, quality, and educational effectiveness of all of NCOAE’s outdoor education field courses as well as recruit, interview, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate instructors.

The OEPD is an organized and innovative problem solver who can consider all possibilities when managing challenging situations and scenarios. A strong team-centered orientation is a must as well as a high level of curiosity and passion for outdoor and experiential education and adventure-based programming.

Compensation includes an annual salary in the range of $45,000-$55,000 (DOE), plus health insurance, paid time off, three weeks' vacation, half-day Friday during the off-season, course discounts, and paid professional development.

What You'll Be Doing — Explore Your Options!

View a group of NOCAE students exploring Patagonia during an outdoor educator & environmental sustainability course!

Field Instructors take on a variety of roles with NCOAE participants — serve as a trip leader, program facilitator, outdoor educator, and role model!

NCOAE recognizes that dedicated instructors and administrative staff are key to student and participant success. If you have a deep passion for education and the outdoors, take immense pride in your work and your ability to positively impact the lives of others, embrace change, and believe that mountains, rivers, and waves provide opportunities for growth and learning, NCOAE invites you to explore their current job openings.

NOCAE values people who bring diverse life experiences with them and those who seek adventure in their personal lives.

Do you have what it takes?
NCOAE is looking for staff who are committed to the educational, emotional, and physical development of individuals. Staff are experts in leading participants through the rigors of rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, whitewater rafting, and backpacking adventures while helping participants realize valuable life lessons.

NCOAE values people with diverse life experiences who seek adventure in their personal lives. All courses are physically and mentally demanding, and staff must have considerable proficiency in teaching and communicating with participants of diverse backgrounds and needs.

Field Instructors manage the safety of the students and co-instructors while facilitating multi-day adventure education programming in the field.

Field Instructors
Field Instructors manage the safety of trip participants while co-facilitating multi-day outdoor adventure education courses in the field, including sea kayaking, canoeing, whitewater paddling, backpacking, rock climbing, remote backcountry travel, and camping. Instructors manage risks and assure effective courses, while serving as an educator and role model.

Instructors must be able to teach and facilitate NCOAE's curriculum lessons to teens and adults, complete documentation in an accurate and timely fashion, and participate in pre-trip and post-trip briefs. Additional duties include facilitating a meaningful group process and setting an emotionally and physically safe, fun and engaging tone for instructors and students to follow.

NCOAE Field Instructors help course participants improve their self-confidence and interpersonal relationships.

NCOAE's hands-on, experiential core curriculum emphasizes teamwork, environmental stewardship and the acquisition of outdoor technical skills. Through these lessons, NCOAE Field Instructors help course participants improve their self-confidence and interpersonal relationships. Experiential education is merged with good, old-fashioned fun to offer an unrivaled path to insight, joy and drive.

Minimum Instructor Requirements:
Prior experience leading outdoor education or related programs
Current WFA certification (WFR preferred) or willingness to obtain
Competency in risk management skills
Satisfactory completion of a NCOAE Instructor Course

Preferred Requirements:
3+ years of experience leading domestic and international outdoor education programs
Current WFR or WEMT certification
Leave No Trace Trainer/Master Educator, AMGA SPI, and/or ACA Paddling certifications
Any college level degree in adventure education, outdoor education, recreation, wilderness leadership or related field

Priority will be given to those who possess the experience, skills, certifications and requirements to serve as the whitewater rafting instructor and/or rock climbing instructor.

Raft Guides
Seeking experienced AND first year Whitewater Rafting Guides for the 2024 rafting season on the Deschutes River in Oregon!

NCOAE focuses on providing the highest level of safety, professionalism, and customer satisfaction. Energetic, positive, and ambitious individuals with previous commercial rafting experience are given preference for hiring. All first-year Guides must complete training runs on each section of the Deschutes River to demonstrate skills proficiency before taking clients down the river.

Raft Guide Requirements:
 Current WFA certification (WFR preferred)
 Current Swiftwater Rescue certification
 Prior experience leading rafting or paddling trips on class III-IV rivers
 Competency in risk management skills

More exploration!Looking for a NCOAE Internship?
Intern responsibilities include program logistics, administrative support, food and gear organization, and special projects. Send an email to Human Resources for more information!

Location

During time off, explore local beaches, nearby of trails, and kayak local rivers!

Live the North Carolina Beach Lifestyle!
Just a short three-minute drive from the scenic beaches of the Atlantic Ocean, NCOAE's North Carolina headquarters sits on 17 wooded acres adjacent to the Cape Fear River and is home to deer, black bear, live oaks, cypress, and magnolias. The facility consists of a 2,000 square foot classroom with offices, a 1,200 square foot gear warehouse, staff and participant housing, a WiFi-enabled campus, outdoor showers, and laundry facilities. During time off, explore local beaches, nearby of trails, and kayak local rivers!

Compensation & Perks

An additional perk is the potential for staff to travel and work at unique course sites throughout the United States and the world.

Compensation and wages are competitive and based on factors including experience, education, certifications, and commitment. Starting pay ranges from $80-$145/day with opportunities for advancement. Staff housing, food pantry, industry pro-deals, and other stipends are also available.

Enjoy traveling and working in unique, pristine areas throughout the United States and the world. NCOAE's outdoor adventure courses take place in North Carolina, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Ecuador, and beyond.

Time Commitment

Satisfactory completion of a NCOAE Instructor Course (at no cost to you) is mandatory prior to beginning seasonal work.

Satisfactory completion of a 14-day NCOAE Instructor Course (at no cost to you) is mandatory prior to beginning seasonal work. Seasonal positions are available from April through October, with occasional opportunities available to continue employment in the fall and winter. Priority is given to candidates who can commit to a full season.

Your First Move & Connections

Applications from exceptional outdoor and wilderness-based educators, guides, field staff and program administrators are accepted on a rolling basis.

If you have a background in outdoor education, outfitting and guiding, or adventure-based programming, and you’re committed to the NCOAE ideal of facilitating professionally led outdoor adventure and education experiences for youth and adults that foster teamwork, environmental stewardship, and the acquisition of technical skills, email your cover letter and resume to NCOAE Human Resources. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

2024 Staff Training
More exploration!Applications from exceptional outdoor and wilderness-based educators, guides, and field staff are being accepted for the 2024 season (April to October). Completion of NCOAE's 14-day Instructor Course (at no cost to you) is required prior to beginning seasonal employment. Apply now for the next course in North Carolina from May 1st–14th, 2024.

The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) is the values-based outdoor adventure and education provider for teens and adults interested in personal growth and professional development.

Human Resources
The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education
9809 River Rd.
Wilmington, NC 28412
(910) 399-8090
hr@ncoae.org
NCOAE.org

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More exploration!NCOAE is proud to be an AEE (Association for Experiential Education) accredited organization.



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