Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness combines advanced clinical skills, evidence-based therapies, and the unique healing of the wilderness, resulting in transformative, impactful changes in the lives of struggling teens, young adults, and their families.

Professional Development. Relationship & Connection. Therapeutic Coaching. Outdoor Skills. Blue Ridge Instructors are role models for a healthier way of life.

Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness (BRTW) serves adolescents (ages 13-18), young adults (ages 18-30), and their families. Families or individuals may seek help for a variety of reasons: anxiety, depression, substance abuse or other addictions, coping with loss, and many others. Students often enter the wilderness feeling angry, sad, confused, or simply lost. Whatever the circumstances, Blue Ridge's approach starts with empathy and building relationships.

BRTW's mission is to teach individuals and families the skills needed to be aware of and act on their values. Blue Ridge strives to help their students realize their best selves. Blue Ridge believes that if students can better understand themselves and their choices, they'll be better equipped to make safer, healthier decisions in the future. Field Instructors play an integral role in delivering the curriculum and helping students see the connections between their thoughts, feelings, and actions.

What You'll Be Doing

BRTW is proud to have developed a tight-knit community of highly trained and compassionate wilderness professionals. View the field staff experience »

Field Instructors
The Instructor role requires resilience, a passion for service, and an ability to connect with others. Instructors are professionals who develop a wide variety of skills—outdoor living, motivational interviewing, risk management, group facilitation, mindfulness, and more! Instructors are outdoor educators, group facilitators, risk managers, excellent communicators, story-tellers, and teachers. Instructors teach students the skills necessary to understand themselves, their families, and how to connect in meaningful ways.

Learn more about Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness!Staff at BRTW have the chance to work with a variety of students. In addition to adolescent groups, field staff also work with the young adult program, Emerald Arrow.

As a Blue Ridge Instructor, you will develop skills in outdoor education, group facilitation, risk management, assertiveness/non-violent communication, mindfulness practices and primitive/wilderness skills!

Your primary duty as a Field Instructor is to ensure the physical and emotional safety of the students. At Blue Ridge, the wilderness is not just the setting for therapy, but rather it is an active part of the process! That means you're continuously observing, teaching, and assessing all manner of skills: backpacking, bow-drilling, cooking and general outdoor living, in addition to therapeutic concepts and tools. Starting with new staff training, BRTW will provide you the mentorship and support needed so that you can excel in this role. BRTW encourages staff to bring their own unique personalities, knowledge, interests, and passions into this work. Staff are not cookie-cutter copies of one-another! You being yourself—simply role-modeling what it means to be a healthy adult—may be the most effective tool for creating change! You are the one each student trusts and looks up to. You are the one that helps them through their hardest moments. And you are the one they remember long after they've left Blue Ridge!

Simply put: Field Instructors are role-models for a healthier way of life.

Upcoming Field Instructor Training
Stay tuned for the next training date!

Learn more about Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness!During training, you will get to experience what life is like out in the field. BRTW will teach you the basic outdoor living, program, and therapeutic tools they expect of any new staff member. They will give you the opportunity to teach and to show off what you already know. And you will get to know the BRTW team. But most of all, they will get to know who you are and see how you handle challenge, feedback, and growth! Official job offers will occur towards the end of training.

Where You'll Be Working

The field area includes several waterfalls, historical sites, and scenic overlooks within the field area, including Rabun Bald, the second-highest peak in Georgia!

BRTW headquarters is in Clayton, Georgia, a small town that provides great access to the field area and is within a couple of hours of several metro regions. Most staff reside in Asheville (NC), Atlanta (GA), Greenville (SC), or Clayton itself! Staff often climb, paddle, or hike the trails around northern Georgia and western North Carolina during time off. All three cities have famed art, music, and food scenes to explore.

The field area spans the southern Appalachian Mountains and borders the Chattahoochee-Oconee and Nantahala National Forests. The field area is forested with rolling hills rising to ~4,700 feet. There are several waterfalls, historical sites, and scenic overlooks within the field area, including Rabun Bald, the second-highest peak in Georgia!

Learn more about Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness!BRTW staff are role models who practice empathy and emotional validation with students.
Time Commitment

If you demonstrate a track record of leadership and service to others, and are comfortable and confident living in the woods, take a look at Blue Ridge!

Field instructors work an 8-day-on, 6-day-off schedule. For the entire 8 days, instructors camp, live, and role-model healthy maturity in the field with a group of 4-12 students. Your six days off are yours to use as you please!

BRTW values a strong, committed staff culture where Instructors can rely on those they're working with week-in and week-out. To thank those who are committed to long-term professional development with BRTW, annual bonuses are provided. BRTW will also consider a limited number of seasonal staff as needs arise (e.g. current college students looking for summer work/paid internships). Please make a note in your application if you are applying for a shorter-term position.

Learn more about Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness!A Field Instructor's role is to observe, notate, and communicate about student choices while coaching and modeling assertive communication skills. Staff are invited to teach mindfulness, stretching, games, and other clinical interventions as directed by their group therapist.
Perks of the Job

Blue Ridge is a dog-friendly company and will allow you to bring your own dog!

Field Instructors receive the following:
$1,000 sign-on bonus!
Base pay ranges from $150/day (for new staff) to $215/day (for the most experienced Instructors through staff development)
Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification paid for!
Benefits (health, dental, and vision insurance) start the 1st of the month after 60 days of employment
Accrue up to two weeks of PTO in the first year with more allowed in following years
Access to pro-deal gear discounts with your first pay stub
Ongoing yearly bonuses (eligible for $1,700 at the 1-year mark)
Eligible for a 4% match in a 401k after one year of full-time employment

Learn more about Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness!Are you a dog owner? Good news, as Blue Ridge is a dog-friendly company and will allow you to bring your own dog! To ensure they are safe and therapeutically appropriate, a few stipulations are in place (such as Canine Good Citizen certification required, age of dog, etc.). If invited to training, Blue Ridge will provide you with more information about their beloved dogs.
The Essentials

Field Instructors at BRTW display professionalism, demonstrate program skills and tools, ensure accurate paperwork, and follow program policies and procedures in addition to exhibiting a high level of self-care in the field.

At minimum applicants must be at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and possess current CPR/first aid certification (WFA or WFR preferred). Beyond these basic requirements, Blue Ridge seeks those who:

Demonstrate a track record of service, leadership, and care for others (in various forms and settings).
Are comfortable and confident living in the woods, even if you are not yet an 'expert' or have not yet led others (Blue Ridge can teach you!).
Show a desire to learn and grow.
Practice resilience and align with Blue Ridge's mission.
Are excited about developing and stepping into leadership positions.

Prior to official hire, applicants must obtain a physical stating that they are cleared to do this type of work and pass a state/federal criminal background check and pre-employment drug screening.

Learn more about Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness!Field Instructors at BRTW display professionalism, demonstrate program skills and tools, ensure accurate paperwork, and follow program policies and procedures in addition to exhibiting a high level of self-care in the field.
Why Blue Ridge?

New Field Instructors will receive mentorship and guidance surrounding bow-drilling, knot-tying, orienteering with map and compass, shelter set-up, cooking over a fire, water safety and Leave No Trace procedures.

Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness knows they are not the only wilderness therapy program staff may apply to. Their goal is to be upfront about what they value and how they operate and leave it up to you to decide if they're the right fit for you!

You should consider Blue Ridge if you:
Get excited about backpacking, exploration, and working in a nomadic setting.
Want to learn from experienced, well-respected therapists, supervisors, and owners who know what it's like to be in the field—because most of them were!
Believe that a consistent track record (nearly 20 years) of excellence, safety, and service matters.
Value a relational approach that honors the individual and seeks to identify and grow strengths.
Want the chance to work with a variety of students—Blue Ridge has adolescent boy and girl groups, in addition to Emerald Arrow, its young adult program.
Believe that an owner-operated program, rather than a corporate one, better matches your values and gives you, students, and families the best chance to truly thrive.

Learn more about Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness!New Field Instructors will receive mentorship and guidance surrounding bow-drilling, knot-tying, orienteering with map and compass, shelter set-up, cooking over a fire, water safety and Leave No Trace procedures.

Your First Move & Connections

The Blue Ridge Field Instructor role requires resilience, a passion for service, and an ability to connect with others.

To apply, email your resume (include relevant personal experience if applicable), cover letter (speak to your qualifications and experience in outdoor education, therapeutic environments, working with teens and young adults, and/or any other specialized skills and training you possess that would benefit BRTW students) to Olivia Fiatoa.

Prior to hire, you’ll also need to provide 3 letters of reference, copies of certifications (CPR, First Aid, etc.), and a copy of your diploma or official transcript from your highest level of education achieved. Please note if you do not yet possess a certification but will be obtaining one soon.

After application review, you may be invited for a phone interview and ultimately to participate in an upcoming week-long camping orientation trip for possible employment. While an invitation to training does not guarantee a job offer, please note that BRTW is interested in fostering community, not competition. If you are invited, it is because they believe you have potential to do great work and there is a spot on the Blue Ridge team for you!

Blue Ridge firmly believes in the therapeutic power of the wilderness, teaching clients accountability, communication skills and healthy emotional and behavioral habits.

Olivia Fiatoa (sher/her)
Recruiter
Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness
236 File St.
Clayton, GA 30525
careers@blueridgewilderness.com
BlueRidgeWilderness.com

Learn more about Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness!View all current job openings »

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