ThreePeaks Ascent·Enterprise, Utah
Facilitate the healing process for at-risk teenagers by supervising them in a backcountry wilderness environment. Responsibilities include teaching primitive outdoor skills, leading experiential activities, and managing crises to ensure student safety.
____________________________________________________________ Full time | 8 days on/6 days off | $153-260/day | Depending on your outdoor youth experience.
____________________________________________________________ Orientation Weeks: August 13th, September 10th, October 8th or November 5th; you pick which week works best for you! With the wilderness as our catalyst, we reveal potential, inspire hope, and heal families. We believe it. We live it. This is our mission statement. The field guide is the person who sees our students every day and directly facilitates the healing process. As a Field Guide, you will get to know our students and deliver the best program possible to them. This includes creating a safe, healthy, and supervised environment, mentoring, and working as a team. Teach students how to create their own bowdrill fire set and build the group's shelters from tarps, visit petroglyphs and ghost towns, peak mountains, and watch herds of mustang as the sun rises. As our Field Guide, you will work 8 day shifts in the backcountry in a small group of at-risk teenagers with 1-4 other guides. We have two types of groups that you will work with: ThreePeaks: Groups that live at a basecamp and learn the skills for wilderness camping. The students join an existing group that stays in yurts and has access to a shower and bath house. These groups will do day hikes and other adventure activities, such as riding mountain biking, walking slack lines, snowshoeing, and more. RedCliff: Expedition groups which live primitively and nomadically. Our students join an existing group when they are admitted and stay in the backcountry while they complete our program (length of stay is, on average, two and a half months). We do not have a set route or designated campsites; our groups practice low-impact principles as they continually hike and set up camp in our field of over 400 square miles. What makes wilderness therapy so effective? Wilderness therapy occurs within the context of healthy relationships, in small groups where social influence and feedback can be given and received. Wilderness therapy involves the entire family in the treatment process, not just the adolescent. Wilderness therapy provides a novel and challenging environment that empowers. Wilderness therapy requires skill mastery through an experiential curriculum and primitive living Wilderness therapy uses an Integrated Care approach to assess and treat the adolescent as a whole person. Wilderness therapy provides clinical interventions that are evidenced-based and culturally sensitive, and employs progress monitoring to accomplish treatment goals. Wilderness therapy uses ceremony and ritual to promote change and internalize growth. Our students struggle with a variety of mental, behavioral, and substance abuse disorders and may have failed to thrive in previous treatment settings. We are often the last hope to the families who turn to us to help their son or daughter. Working with families in crisis can be very difficult, but nothing is more rewarding than seeing pain and suffering slowly replaced by genuine change and healing through the shared experiences provided by wilderness. Help heal families and save lives while sharing your passion for the outdoors. Become a part of the RedCliff and ThreePeaks team.
Field Guides work 8 consecutive days in the backcountry with struggling teenagers (i.e. hike almost daily, no cell service, etc.) Ensure the supervision and safety of students Mentor students in primitive and outdoor skills Assist students in their curriculum work Share appreciation and knowledge of nature and the outdoors Lead students through experiential activities Facilitate group discussions Create a safe environment for students to process their emotions De-escalate and manage crises within group Provide support, direction, and feedback to coworkers during shifts Creatively, collaboratively, and safely address challenges and obstacles of the backcountry Carry essential gear such as 1st Aid kit, radio, and SPOT device Follow all company policies and procedures Follow all local, state, and federal rules, regulations, and laws Remember to have fun--we are working with kids! Please note: Your resume should include education, work experience, certifications, and licenses. Candidates who do not meet the minimum requirements at the time they submit their application will not be considered. Hard Skills High School diploma or equivalent, college degree preferred Must be 1st Aid & CPR certified within first month of employment, WFR (Wilderness First Responder) preferred 19+ years of age Able to pass criminal investigation background check Able to pass pre-employment health assessment Eligible to work in the USA Physical ability and stamina to work 8 day shifts in the back country and live primitively Walk, hike, and/or climb daily over uneven terrain in all weather conditions carrying 40 + pounds Soft Skills Work well within a team Leadership skills and ability to make decisions Strong problem-solving aptitude Able to emotionally self-regulate Good judgement Safety-oriented Able to give and receive feedback Firm, healthy boundaries Fully outfitted Find your tribe: A supportive and close-knit niche in the outdoor community. These are your people. 8 on/6 off schedule means you have about 150 days off each year! Only have to drive to work 4-5 times a month Accommodation available at base for the nights before and after your shift (beds, kitchen, showers) Potential for bonuses Full-time job with guaranteed overtime Health, dental, vision, accident, critical illness, and other insurance plans available after first 60 days Employer contributions to Health Savings Account (HSA) Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Paid Time Off (PTO) Pro deals! Significant discounts for hundreds of professional outdoor gear brands Long off-shifts ideal for travel, exploring Utah's Big 5, or any other adventure! A few hours from Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Lake Powell A few hours from many world-class ski resorts Close to Mccarran International Airport in Las Vegas
Candidates must be at least 19 years old with a high school diploma and the physical stamina to hike daily with 40+ lbs of gear. First Aid and CPR certification are required within the first month, with WFR preferred.
Market context
Field guide openings in Utah often track outdoor program seasons and visitor demand, so employers look for candidates who can work in remote settings and handle physically demanding days. These roles are competitive because they combine stamina, safety training, and customer-facing leadership; this posting also notes accommodation at base, guaranteed overtime, and health and dental insurance, while requirements and benefits here are AI-summarized from the original job description to save research time. If you apply, be ready to show hiking experience with heavy gear and plan to complete First Aid and CPR quickly, with WFR as a plus.
