Trip Leader Job Opportunities

Trip Leader, Co-Leader, and Internships:

The Road Less Traveled offers three field leader positions: Trip Leader, Co-Leader, and Intern. Trip Leaders guide and engage participants in service learning projects, language immersion programs, backpacking, rock climbing, biking, kayaking, trekking, SCUBA diving, whitewater rafting and more from June through August. Co-Leaders and Interns work in conjunction with the Trip Leader in a variety of supportive roles. Both Trip Leaders and Co-Leaders have a minimum age of 21; Interns are graduates of a Road Less Traveled program that have completed at least one year of college. Most first-year staff are Co-Leaders, but if you feel you have the qualifications and would like to apply specifically for our Trip Leader position, please indicate that on your application.   

As we offer trips of varying lengths, dates of employment can range anywhere from June 1 to the end of July or middle of August, depending on your trip assignment. You may lead one, two or possibly three sessions of a program over the course of a summer. We will make every effort to employ you for as long as you wish, but we request flexibility with trip assignments and dates, keeping in mind the students experience is a direct result of its leadership. Our commitment is to making the strongest leader teams possible.

The Benefits:

Your salary with The Road Less Traveled includes all food, lodging and transportation from the beginning through close of your trip. We also offer pro-deals on outdoor equipment from a variety of well-known manufacturers. Salaries are based on qualifications and experience, and our goal is to hire as many returning staff as possible.

The Hiring Timeline:

Our hiring season generally runs from September until early May. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Job Qualifications:

The following are characteristics/qualifications that each staff person is expected to match regardless of position:

• Education:  Minimum of Bachelor's degree or in the process of completing a degree
• Maturity:  Must be 21 years of age by June 1st and possess mature judgment necessary for the ongoing demands and safety requirements of the program
• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness EMT: Wilderness First Responder is an 80-hour nationally recognized curriculum that includes standards for urban and extended care situations. This course is offered all over the U.S. by a number of companies. SOLO, WMI, WMA, and Aerie are all great companies that offer this course. You must have at minimum a Wilderness First Responder certification by the beginning of staff training. 

PLEASE NOTE: Though curriculum taught from the above companies is very similar, there are differences in vocabulary at times. The Road Less Traveled has adopted NOLS WMI terminology. It will be used at Staff Training for review of skills. If you do not take your course with NOLS WMI, we expect you to compare and familiarize yourself with this specific terminology here. In particular, we have found the AVPU Scale vs. A+O (1-4) causes confusion for those outside of WMI NOLS. 

• Lifeguard training or Swiftwater rescue:  These are preferred certifications but not mandatory.
• Current unrestricted drivers license:   Includes no major convictions including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving, hit and run, homicide or assault with a motor vehicle, drag racing, operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent, license suspended or revoked within the previous seven year period for accidents and/or moving violations.  Driving record should reflect no more than three moving violations and/or chargeable accidents during the previous seven years. Ability and/or experience in driving a 15-passenger van with an 8-foot utility trailer is mandatory for domestic expeditions.
• Experience:   Previous experience working with and or teaching young people age ranging in age between 12-19 is mandatory. Knowledge of and experience in group dynamics, teaching or facilitating groups, supervision of meal planning, food preparation and cooking, and managing logistics. Ability to teach program specific skills, environmental awareness, and related scientific, cultural, and historical knowledge pertaining to the regions through which you will travel and their relationship to each other.
• Confidence:   Self-assurance is required to live and relate with adolescents and other leaders in close-knit situations. 
• Personality/Motivation:   Must be self-motivated and act as a role model, possessing personality characteristics that will accelerate and maintain a healthy rapport with participants and other staff.
• Flexibility/Patience/Organization:   Must have the patience to respond to stress, crisis, change, and non-glamorous tasks in positive and productive ways at all times. Must have the ability to organize and assure a smooth flow of activities.

LEADER TRAINING

The Road Less Traveled's comprehensive leadership training session is held each year in early June in northern Wisconsin. Our carefully chosen leaders come together for a state of the art introduction to our philosophy, policies, procedures, and protocols.

Onsite training topics include RLT's vision of service in the world, cultural considerations, health, safety, sanitation, food management, team building skills, stages of group development, communication, leadership styles, gender considerations, country-specific health topics, transportation guidelines, vehicle safety, and medical protocols.

Prior to embarking on their programs, each leader team is fully briefed on detailed trip logistics, country specific emergency procedures, satellite phone usage, evacuation procedures.

RLT Directors personally lead training along with a core group of past leaders with significant experience. Their goal is to ensure each leader is fully prepared to lead utilizing the solid foundation that has been created over the past three decades to provide the exceptional leadership for which we are known.

Our leader training has been described as the most comprehensive, professional, detailed, progressive, supportive training leaders have ever attended.

to start the application process, click here.