Outdoor Recreation Overnight Lead Guide

We believe everyone in our community deserves to live a healthy and happy life. Mountain Recreation provides a dynamic and engaging environment for both participants and staff—one that promotes skill development, movement, life skills, and fun! We’re looking for enthusiastic applicants who excel in teamwork, demonstrate strong communication, and exemplify our core values in every interaction.

Job Overview

We are seeking qualified individuals to introduce youth to outdoor leadership skills, natural science education, and outdoor recreation in remote settings during our overnight youth programs in the Colorado National Monument and White River National Forest.

Overnight Guides must be passionate about working with youth of various ages and diverse backgrounds. As role models for positive growth, guides will provide support, safety, and guidance to help youth develop an appreciation for nature, acquire the skills needed for overnight outdoor experiences, and thrive in a group learning environment.

See Outdoor Recreation Day Camps Lead on https://mountainrecreation.org if interested in leading youth backpacking and camping programs.
__________________________________________________POSITION DETAILS
Job Title: Outdoor Recreation Overnight Lead Guide
Location: District-wide • Edwards Field House (Edwards, CO), Eagle Pool & Ice Rink (Eagle, CO), Gypsum Recreation Center (Gypsum, CO)
Schedule: Part-Time; Seasonal
o Option 1: Early-May – Late-September
o Option 2: Early June – Mid-August
o Option 3: A combination of Option 1 and 2

Work Environment: Work will be both indoors and outdoors, with hours varying to meet the demands of the position. This may include evening hours, weekends, holidays, and multi-day trips. Flexibility is required to successfully complete duties. Outdoor work may involve extreme weather conditions. The position requires continuous mental and visual attention, along with physical exertion such as frequent walking, bending, and the ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted. Duties may also involve pushing, pulling, and kneeling to transport equipment and supplies. The nature of the role is physically demanding and may be stressful, requiring constant safety awareness and attention to diverse participant needs under continuous demand.

Supervision Required: Works under the general guidance and direction of the Mountain Recreation Outdoor Recreation Supervisor and Outdoor Recreation Coordinator.
Supervision Exercised: May directly supervise part-time and other seasonal employees, volunteers, chaperones, instructors, and campers.

Salary: $16.00/hour; DOE.Opportunity for overtime pay on overnight trips. Staff in this position are eligible for a $1/hour incentive for Spanish/English bilingual skills upon passing a language competency test. Seasonal employees in good standing may also qualify for an end-of-season bonus of up to $200. Additionally, through the WFA/WFR Incentive Program, eligible employees can receive partial reimbursement for certification costs (eligibility requirements apply).
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ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
General Statement of Duties: Lead groups of youth, ages 7–10 and 11–14, in outdoor recreation activities—including backpacking, camping, environmental education, and rock climbing—alongside an Assistant Guide. Overnight programs range from 3 days, 2 nights to 4 days, 3 nights, with group sizes of 10–12 youth.

Examples of Duties:
• Program Facilitation & Supervision: Lead and supervise multi-day camping and backpacking trips for youth in front-country and backcountry settings alongside a co-guide or Assistant Guide, including preparation, implementation, cleanup, and debriefing with field staff.
• Skill Development: Help campers build confidence in outdoor recreation skills such as campsite setup, wilderness travel, camp cooking, and group decision-making.
• Program Logistics: Refer to weekly program folders for schedules, activity plans, rosters, and risk management documents.
• Camper & Family Engagement: Greet and engage with families professionally during camper check-in and check-out.
• Outdoor Ethics & Recreation: Teach Leave No Trace principles and promote responsible recreation.
• Group Management & Team Building: Explain and enforce program rules and expectations while facilitating team bonding activities.
• Risk Management & Safety: Manage risk in the field to ensure a safe, positive, and enjoyable experience for campers and staff.
• Environmental Education: Provide cultural and natural history interpretation when appropriate.
• Record Keeping & Reporting: Maintain field records, trip reports, and accident/incident reports.
• Communication & Public Relations: Communicate effectively with participants and the public, answering questions and addressing concerns from parents and patrons.
• Logistical Support: Assist with purchasing materials and supplies for programs as needed.
• Equipment & Site Management: Set up and break down equipment and supplies, and help maintain program equipment, vans, and facilities.
• Transportation: Drive 15-passenger vans to transport participants and operate a truck and trailer combination to move equipment.
• Emergency Response: Respond to accidents and incidents according to policies and procedures.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Provide leadership, role modeling, and guidance to staff and volunteers.
• Training & Professional Development: Attend staff training before programming begins to gain essential skills for working with youth, leading outdoor recreation activities safely, and team bonding.
• Mandatory Reporting: Serve as a mandatory reporter and comply with reporting guidelines.
• Facility & Equipment Care: Maintain and care for program facilities, equipment, and supplies.
• Special Events Support: Assist with special events for partner organizations serving mixed-age groups.
• Instruction & Education: Instruct recreational classes as needed, in partnership with Mountain Recreation and SOS Outreach.
• Other Duties: Perform other tasks as assigned.
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COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
You are welcome at Mountain Rec for who you are, no matter where you come from, what you look like, or what keeps you active. Recreation is for everyone—and so is our workplace. The more voices we have represented and amplified in our organization, the more we will all thrive, contribute, and be forward-thinking! So, bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It is in our differences that we will find the power to keep revolutionizing the way we PLAY.

Colorado Residents: We are committed to fair hiring practices. In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. This position will require the applicant to verify the meeting of a minimum age requirement of 18 years old as such requirement is a bona fide occupational qualification pertaining to public safety and required by law.

Special Benefits

Opportunity for overtime pay on overnight trips. Staff in this position are eligible for a $1/hour incentive for Spanish/English bilingual skills upon passing a language competency test. Seasonal employees in good standing may also qualify for an end-of-season bonus of up to $200. Additionally, through the WFA/WFR Incentive Program, eligible employees can receive partial reimbursement for certification costs (eligibility requirements apply).

Benefits:

• Retirement Savings: 3.75% employer contribution to a 401(a)-retirement account.
• Paid Time Off: Accrued sick leave in accordance with HFWA.
• Facility Access & Memberships: Complimentary access to all three Mountain Recreation facilities and a free membership to the Gypsum Recreation Center.
• Program Discounts: 20% off facility programs for employees and immediate family members.
• Family Discounts: Discounted punch cards for immediate family members at the Gypsum Recreation Center.
• Outdoor Gear Perks: Access to pro deals on top outdoor industry brands through ExpertVoice.
• Scholarship Opportunities: Student scholarship programs available.
• Healthcare Options: Opportunity to enroll in Vail Valley Partnership’s One Valley Healthcare Plan—an affordable healthcare program for employees and their families.

Mountain Recreation believes that everyone, including our staff, deserves to be healthy and happy. We foster a culture of accountability and flexibility while offering world-class benefits.
For more details on employee benefits, visit: https://mountainrec.org/benefits-overview/

Minimum Requirements

COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
Considerable knowledge of:
• Understanding of child development and ability to implement age-appropriate activities.
• Experience in outdoor recreation, including camping, backpacking, and adventure-based activities.
• Proven ability to lead and facilitate groups in an outdoor setting.
• Knowledge of recreation program risk management and best practices for ensuring participant safety.
• Experience with maintaining and managing facilities and equipment related to outdoor programming.

Skills and abilities:
• Desire to make a positive impact in the community.
• Strong organizational, leadership, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a team player.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Positive attitude, good sense of humor, and strong communication skills.
• Experience, comfort, and passion for working with youth in outdoor settings.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, respectful, and cooperative relationships with all program contacts.
• Physical ability to lift, restrain, and run after participants as needed.
• Capability to lift equipment and supplies.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and foster positive relationships with staff and the public.

Requirements:
Education and experience:
• Be 18 years of age or older; AND
• Currently studying recreation or related field; OR
o Recently graduated from a recreation program or related field; OR
o 1-2 years of experience in outdoor recreation and/or youth serving programs; OR
o Any satisfactory combination of experience and education which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and ability to perform the above-described duties.
• Physically fit: Backpacking trips in the summer average 5 – 8 miles per day at altitudes between 8,200’ – 13,000’ in varied weather; must be able to carry 70lbs. guide pack. Day hiking involves 2-4 miles and 2,000’ elevation gains; must be able to carry 30lbs. guide pack.
• Ability to pass federal background and motor vehicle check.
• Knowledge of Leave No Trace practices.
• Comfortable with camping, hiking, wilderness travel, and team building experiences.
• Prior experience working with youth and youth overnight outdoor programs.
• Spanish language proficiency and cultural literacy (preferred).

Certifications
• Valid First Aid and CPR certification (required)
• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) or Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR, or the ability to obtain these certifications prior to beginning employment. Preference will be given to candidates with an active WFR certification.