NOW HIRING:
Lead Guide - Part-Time, School Year
Lead Guide - Part-Time, Summer Seasonal
What You’ll Do
As a Guide at Trackers Earth, you work directly with youth in grades K–12 in our Break Camp, After School, Homeschool, or Weekend Apprenticeship programs. You help them connect with nature, learn real outdoor skills and folk crafts, and discover what they’re capable of. You’ll be mentored and supported by high-level Coordinators and Supervisors. But out in the field, it’s you and your group: building shelters, making fire in the rain, stealthing through the forest, and learning to track the invisible.
What We Need
We need Guides who know this work is gritty, serious fun. Who are comfortable working with sharp tools, steep trails, and quick-witted 5th graders. Who can thrive in a fast-moving team environment and know how to keep kids safe while helping them grow to be wild and capable.
Key Responsibilities
At Trackers, every staff member plays a vital role in making camps extraordinary. The responsibilities below outline how we show up for our students, each other, and the land. They are not just tasks—they are expressions of our culture, purpose, and deep commitment to nature connection.
Make Programs Go
- Lead with Safety: Uphold and model Trackers safety practices in all aspects of camp. Stay situationally aware, respond to changing conditions, and contribute to the ongoing refinement of protocols through experience in the field.
- Own the Flow: Support the movement of the day. Thoughtfully manage logistics and gear with intention, ensuring your group and team are prepared and accountable from start to finish.
- Steward the Whole: Demonstrate care for the land, for students, for families, and for fellow staff. Act in ways that support community, ecological integrity, and emotional safety.
- Live the Story: Deliver our Tracking and Four Guilds curriculum with creativity and authenticity (we teach you). Organize youth into Trackers Teams. Recognize storytelling as a core teaching tool, and help participants find their place in the greater story of nature and community.
Communicate with Curiosity
- Engage Families and Staff:
Communicate with clarity, empathy, and professionalism. Help families understand what their child is experiencing and how it connects to Trackers values and culture.
- Foster Inquiry:
Model a mindset of curiosity. Ask thoughtful questions and invite others—students, peers, and yourself—to explore deeper patterns, relationships, and meaning in the natural and human world.
- Facilitate Real-World Learning:
Create space for students to engage offline. Lead activities that encourage direct collaboration, practical problem-solving, and dynamic exploration of their surroundings.
- Stay in Conversation:
When not in the field full-time, prioritize regular check-ins with the Director or Founders. These conversations help deepen your understanding of Trackers Ecology and align your work with the broader mission.
Qualifications
At Trackers, we value guides who are not just instructors—but practitioners, learners, and contributors to a living culture of nature connection. We appreciate the Jack of All Trades and the autodidacts. Our team includes multi-disciplinary learners who pursue skills with rigor, humility, and curiosity. You don’t have to be a master—but you do need to strive for and respect the depth of mastery, growing every season.
Experience:
- 1+ years in outdoor education, guiding, camp leadership, or youth mentorship
- Experience in team-building, survival skills, or nature-based programs
- Familiarity with Trackers Earth’s philosophy and programs is highly valued
Outdoor Skills:
You don’t need to be an expert in every skill, but you must understand their depth and have a strong desire to grow. These represent the depth we seek:
- Bushcraft & Wilderness Living Skills: Long-term self-sufficiency.
- Animal Tracking & Nature Awareness: Trailing animals & knowing track & sign.
- Flintknapping & Stone Tools: Crafting cutting tools with traditional techniques.
- Primitive Technology: Hide tanning, natural fiber processing, bow-making.
- Wildcrafting & Foraging: Knowledge of sustainable harvesting of edible plants.
- Naturalist Skills: Classic naturalist training in wildlife, botanical & ecological studies.
- Shelter Building: Debris huts, lodges & other land-based survival shelters.
- Fire Making: Bow drill, hand drill, tool-based & fire-building in wet conditions.
- Bird Language & Stealth: Reading alarm calls as sign & moving invisibly.
- Fishing, Hunting & Trapping: Ethical harvest using modern and traditional methods.
- Field Archery & Bowmaking: Bowmaking & practical field archery for hunting.
- Navigation & Boating: Orienteering & traversing with watercraft.
- Forestry & Homesteading: Food production & regenerative caretaking for the land.
- Traditional Mentorship: Direct, long-term learning from experienced practitioners.
While modern outdoor education may introduce some of these skills, Trackers Earth operates differently—not better, just different. We have profound respect for the following fields, recognizing them as sister programs doing phenomenal work. While we share many aspects, don’t view Trackers solely through their lens.
- Outdoor Recreation: Activities such as hiking, camping, and guiding that offer outdoor sports. While we integrate these skills, our curriculum goes beyond them to include forest craft, folk craft, and deep nature connection.
- Wilderness Therapy: Programs that use nature as a healing venue rather than for deep connection and community skill-building. These programs are invaluable and led by practitioners we deeply respect, but they are not our focus.
- Outdoor Education: General environmental science, ropes courses, team-building, and leadership training. While we share many components, our emphasis is on in-depth survival and foraging skills.
- Environmental Education: We value the impact of programs that emphasize advocacy or activism. However, Trackers teaches hands-on skills—hunting, fishing, and foraging—to help kids develop a deep care for the more-than-human world.
- STEAM Education: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math programs often approach nature through an academic lens. While we incorporate these elements, we prioritize experiential learning through outdoor skills and nature immersion.
- Forest Schools: Programs for young children centered on outdoor free play. This early nature connection is crucial, but our curriculum emphasizes skill development to foster broader outdoor independence for all ages.
- Summer Camps: We offer camps and deeply respect camp professionals who create incredible programs. While we share many structural and social aspects, our focus is on skills-driven, immersive learning through nature connection.
For a better understanding of our philosophy, explore the work of Tom Brown Jr., Ray Mears, and Jon Young.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental sciences, or program management
- Or equivalent training from wilderness schools (e.g. Tracker School, Roots, BOSS, Rewild Portland, Twin Eagles, etc.)
Schedule & Program Types
This role may include one or more Trackers Earth programs: part-time School-Year (Homeschool, Weekend Apprenticeships, After School), Seasonal Breaks (Winter/Spring), and/or Summer Camps. While this description outlines shared responsibilities and expectations, exact schedules and duties vary by season and role.
- Possible School Year Roles: After School (Mon–Fri), Weekday Homeschool (Wed or Fri), Weekend Apprenticeships (Sat/Sun), Winter Break, Spring Break
- Summer Break Role: Typically Monday to Friday during assigned weeks, with scheduling based on enrollment and program needs.
- Location: Must report to Kirkland or Bellevue-area worksites (assignments are not discretionary)
- Flexibility: Part-time and full-time roles available.For key positions, a full school-year commitment is strongly preferred.
- Typical Hours: 2–8 hours on days scheduled depending on program needs
- REQUIRED - First Year Orientation: June 15-16, 2026
- REQUIRED - All Staff Training: June 17-19, 2026
Because we invest significant time and resources in staff training, we prioritize applicants who are available for the full summer season or frequently in the school year. Final schedules are based on program enrollment, performance, and overall staff availability.
Pay & Compensation
Effective June 2026
Hourly Pay: $21.50–$23.50/hour
- Applies to school-year, seasonal break, and summer roles.
- Increases above the $21.50 starting rate are based on defined add-ons, including prior summer seasons and qualifying certifications—see below for details.
- Certification bumps apply only during active seasonal placement and begin the first pay cycle after the next quarterly review. They are not retroactive.
- All seasonal training hours are paid at local Oregon minimum wage. Certification bumps do not apply to training hours.
How to Apply
Apply early for best consideration. This application covers school-year, seasonal break, and summer roles. You can indicate your availability and interests. Not all applicants will be placed immediately—qualified candidates may be added to an on-deck list based on fit and program needs. Current summer staff interested in school-year roles must submit a separate application for Fall.
Mutual Fit Period
All new roles—including seasonal transitions—begin with a 90-day mutual fit period. This time supports onboarding, training, and shared expectations, especially as school-year programs require greater independence and long-term student mentorship.
Physical Requirements & Certifications
This is a hands-on, active, and at times field-based role. As a Specialist Guide, your physical requirements will vary depending on your assigned program. Outdoor roles may require physical stamina in rugged environments, while classroom-based roles focus more on tool handling, shop safety, and materials management.
Physical Requirements – Outdoor Programs
(Examples: Bushcraft, Tracking, Forestry, Paddlesports, Rock Climbing)
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
- Hike 5–20 miles per day, including off-trail and uneven terrain
- Remain on feet for extended periods in variable weather conditions
- Move safely across natural landscapes such as forests, hills, and rivers
Physical Requirements – Classroom-Based Programs
(Examples: Ceramics, Woodworking)
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs (e.g., clay, lumber, tools)
- Stand or move between workstations for extended periods (3–5 hours)
- Use hand tools and equipment with fine motor coordination and precision
- Maintain awareness of shop safety protocols in active teaching environments
- Occasionally transport materials or equipment between locations
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Required Certifications
- CPR, First Aid, and Anaphylaxis/Epinephrine Auto-Injector
- Food Handler’s Permit (or ability to obtain before start)
- Mandated Reporter Training (18+ in OR)
Additional Requirements
- State Fishing License (if assisting with fishing activities)
- Background check and references
- Valid driver’s license held for 2+ years
Optional but Valued & Prioritized
CDL Class B with Passenger Endorsement: If you already have a CDL or are interested in earning one, that’s a big plus.
Eligibility Requirements
To operate Trackers Earth vehicles requiring a CDL, candidates must:
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Hold a valid U.S. driver’s license
- Have a clean motor vehicle record (MVR) for the past 3 years, with no major violations (e.g. DUI, reckless driving, license suspension)
Disclaimer
This job description does not constitute a contract of employment. Employment with Trackers Earth is at-will. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
About Trackers
At Trackers, we help children feel like that group of kids wandering country backyards 50 years ago: tired, muddy, wet, independent, and happy from being out in the woods and exploring creeks. We are acutely aware of the real hazards of the outdoors, so we work to keep kids safe but not encapsulated from, nor phobic of nature. We believe children need to develop independence and competency in the wild—not only for their own connection, but also to contribute to their families, future generations, and the more-than-human world. We believe it is okay to be thirsty at times, cold at times, and wet at times. This builds empathy and care for the gifts of life, fostering true adventure and genuine accomplishment. We also believe it is critical for children to feel supported and cared for as they explore their passion for service and responsibility. Through a healthy life found in nature, they can test their limits and discover the great potential of the often untapped physical grit and emotional resilience they possess.
Pay Rates for Trackers Guides
Returning Staff & Certification Based Add-Ons
Effective June 2026
At Trackers Earth, we reward Guides for field experience, specialized skills, and professional certifications.
Base Pay
- Base: $21.50/hour
- Training Rate: Minimum Wage
All initial and ongoing training hours, regardless of tenure or certification, are paid at the applicable Oregon minimum wage based on location and do not include pay increases. Base pay and applicable pay bumps begin only once staff begin working in active program assignments. Certification-based pay bumps do not apply to training hours.
Certification Pay Bumps
Guides can earn additional pay for relevant certifications. Total hourly pay is capped at $23.50/hour.
| Certification |
Pay Bump |
| Returning Bonus (per 8 summer weeks worked [training not included], max 1 credit per season) |
+$0.25/hr |
| Wilderness First Aid (WFA)* |
+$0.25/hr |
| USA Archery or NASP Level 1 Instructor* |
+$0.25/hr |
| CyberTracker Track & Sign (Level II or higher) |
+$0.25/hr |
| 9-Month Wilderness Immersion Program |
+$0.25/hr |
| FEMA ICS 100 & 200* |
+$0.25/hr |
| Trackers Van & Trailer Driver Certification (21 years +)* |
+$0.25/hr |
| ACA Instructor – Level 1 or 2 (Canoe or Kayak) |
+$0.25/hr |
| Hunter’s Safety Instructor Certification |
+$0.25/hr |
| AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) |
+$0.25/hr |
| Lifeguard Certification with Waterfront Module |
+$0.25/hr |
| First Responder (Past 8 Years) or U.S. Armed Forces Veteran |
+$0.25/hr |
| State Teaching Certification (K–12, current or expired within 5 years) |
+$0.50/hr |
| Wilderness First Responder (WFR)* |
+$0.50/hr |
| First Aid/CPR Instructor |
+$0.50/hr |
| Archery Instructor Trainer (USA Archery or NASP)* |
+$0.50/hr |
| Swiftwater Rescue Technician |
+$0.50/hr |
| Incident Qualification Certification (Red Card)* |
+$0.50/hr |
| CDL with Passenger Endorsement (large school bus-size vehicles)* |
+$2.50/hr |
*Stacking Rules (What Doesn’t Combine)
Not all certification pay bumps can be combined. Some credentials cover the same or higher-level training, so only the larger bump applies.
- WFA does not stack with WFR. (If you hold WFR, the WFA bump does not apply.)
- ICS 100/200 does not stack with Red Card. (Red Card replaces the ICS bump.)
- USA Archery/NASP Level 1 does not stack with Archery Instructor Trainer (Trainer replaces Level 1).
- Trackers Van & Trailer Driver Certification does not stack with a CDL with Passenger Endorsement (CDL replaces Van/Trailer).
Other certifications listed above may stack if they are in distinct skill areas
(e.g., Lifeguard + Swiftwater, Teaching Certification + WFR).
Certification Verification Requirement
See the Certification Pay Bump Addendum below for criteria of accepted certifications.
Quarterly Certification Review & Pay Updates
Trackers reviews and updates certification-based pay rates on a quarterly basis. At the end of each quarter, eligible staff will receive a form to report any new certifications they have acquired. To be considered for a pay bump, certifications must be submitted before the end of the quarter, include proper documentation, and are subject to HR approval. Approved certifications will be reflected in payroll starting with the first pay period of the following quarter. Pay increases are not retroactive and will only apply moving forward from the scheduled update. For short-term or seasonal-only roles, increases may not take effect unless returning for a future program.
Documentation must include:
- A copy of the official certificate or license
- Dates of completion and expiration (if applicable)
- Name of the issuing organization or agency
Certification Pay Bump Addendum
$0.25/hour Certifications
Seasonal Longevity Pay Bump – Summer Only
- Guides earn a $0.25/hour increase for every 8 full weeks worked during the summer season, up to one credit per summer. Key Details:
- Applies only to weeks worked in Trackers summer programs
- Maximum of one 8-week credit per summer, regardless of total weeks worked
- Weeks may be across multiple roles or locations but still count as a single summer credit
- Longevity bumps are cumulative across summers and applied to future seasons
- Example: A Coordinator works 10 weeks in their first summer. They receive one $0.25/hour bump for future seasons. In their second summer, they work 8 more weeks and earn another $0.25/hour, bringing their total longevity bump to $0.50/hour by their third summer.
Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
- Minimum 16 hours
- Recognized providers: NOLS, WMA, SOLO, etc.
- Not stackable with WFR
USA Archery or NASP Level 1 Instructor
- Must be current and from a national program
- Includes range safety and youth instruction
CyberTracker Track & Sign (Level II or higher)
- Evaluation must be through a certified CyberTracker Evaluator
- Level II demonstrates solid field interpretation skills
9-Month Wilderness Immersion Program
- Must include one immersive weekend per month
- Includes bushcraft, tracking, survival, foraging, and mentoring
- Recognized programs:
- Trackers Earth
- Wilderness Awareness School (WA)
- Earth Native School
- Jack Mountain Bushcraft (ME)
- Teaching Drum (WI)
- Roots Vermont
- Others reviewed upon request
FEMA ICS 100 & 200
- Free online through FEMA
- Covers incident response structure and leadership in emergencies
- Applies to all program sites for risk and communication clarity
Trackers Van Driver Certification (21 years +)
- Must be 21 or older
- Must complete Trackers internal driver safety and trailer towing training
- Certification covers safe operation of vans and utility trailers used for student transport and gear
- CDL not required
- Priority may be given in hiring and scheduling due to transportation responsibilities
American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructor – Level 1 or 2 (Canoe or Kayak)
- Must hold a current ACA instructor certification in canoeing or kayaking
- Certification must include water safety and rescue protocols
- Recognized for Guides leading paddle-based or waterfront programs
Hunter’s Safety Instructor Certification
- Must be a certified Hunter Education Instructor through a state-recognized wildlife agency (e.g., Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
- Includes firearm safety, ethical hunting practices, and field instruction for youth and adults
- Certification must be current and verifiable
- Recognized for Guides supporting archery, survival, and hunting heritage programs
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI)
- Current certification through American Mountain Guides Association
- Valid for managing top-rope climbing and site-based instruction
Lifeguard Instructor with Waterfront Module
- Must be a certified Lifeguard Instructor authorized to train and certify others in:
- Waterfront lifeguarding, including flatwater rescue scenarios (lakes, ponds, slow rivers)
- Through the American Red Cross, YMCA, or Ellis & Associates (E&A)
- Must maintain active instructor status with the certifying body
- Authorized to certify Trackers staff in waterfront lifeguarding; must register courses through the issuing organization and agree to instruct staff at their standard pay rate; participant certification fees handled through the certifying body
First Responder (Past 8 Years) or U.S. Armed Forces Veteran
- Applies to staff with documented experience as a U.S. military veteran (honorable or general discharge), regardless of discharge date
- Or: documented service within the past 8 years as a firefighter, EMT/paramedic, law enforcement officer, or Search & Rescue team member
- Experience must be verifiable. This bump recognizes leadership, resilience, and community service.
$0.50/hour Certifications
State Teaching Certification
- Current or expired within the last 8 years
- Valid in any U.S. state for grades K–12
- Includes student teaching or supervised practicum
- Applies to General Ed, Special Ed, and subject-specific licensure
Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
- Minimum 70+ hours
- Recognized providers: NOLS, WMA, SOLO
- Includes trauma, evacuation, and backcountry decision-making
First Aid/CPR Instructor (Red Cross, HSI, or Equivalent)
- Must be a certified instructor through a recognized organization such as the American Red Cross, Health & Safety Institute (HSI/ASHI), or American Heart Association (AHA)
- Authorized to teach and certify Trackers staff in First Aid, CPR/AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) as required
- Instructor must maintain active certification and agree to train Trackers staff at their standard pay rate; course registration and participant certification fees are handled through the issuing organization
Archery Instructor Trainer (USA Archery or NASP)
- Must be a certified Instructor Trainer or Basic Instructor Trainer
- USA Archery: Level 2 or higher with instructor trainer endorsement
- NASP: Basic Archery Instructor Trainer (BAIT)
- Authorized to train and certify new instructors under official archery programs
- Must maintain active standing with the certifying organization
- Must maintain active standing and agree to provide instruction to Trackers staff at their regular hourly or salaried rate; course must be registered with the certifying organization.
Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT-1 or higher)
- Must hold current certification through a recognized provider (e.g., Rescue 3 International, ACA, or equivalent)
- Certification includes in-water rescue techniques, rope systems, and river hazard recognition
- Valid for Guides working in or near moving water, especially paddlecraft or overnight expedition programs
- Certification must be current and meet minimum field hour requirements
Incident Qualification Certification (Red Card)
- Must have held a valid Red Card within the past 10 years
- Must include:
- Completion of required fire and ICS courses (S-130, S-190, L-180, ICS 100/200/700)
- Successful Arduous Pack Test (45 lb pack, 3 miles in under 45 mins)
- Issued by a sponsoring agency (e.g., USFS, state fire agency)
- Not stackable with FEMA ICS 100 & 200
$2.50/hour Certification
CDL with Passenger Endorsement (Large School Bus-Size Vehicles)
- Valid CDL with “P” or “S” endorsement
- Qualified to operate full-size school buses (does not require school-bus specific cert)
- Actively driving or on-call
- Must meet Trackers safety, MVR, and compliance standards
