The Field Instructor position is ideal for individuals who wish to have a positive impact on youth while working in a beautiful outdoor setting!As one of the industry's most sophisticated nature-based therapy programs, Second Nature provides insight, direction and hope to teens and their families. Blending the healing power of nature, mindfulness, nutrition, and wellness with licensed therapists and experienced staff, adolescents from the ages of 13-17 embark on a journey of health, choices, and secure relationships. Second Nature uses an itinerate backpacking approach in its nature-based therapy model. Students engage in low impact hiking (1-6 miles per day) 3-5 days per week. Layover days include individual and group therapy, medical visits, and the delivery of fresh food and laundry. A typical day will include a combination of wilderness skills, hiking, group therapy, chores and responsibilities, fun and play, teamwork initiatives, therapeutic reading and assignments, academic homework, and downtime. |
What You'll Be Doing |
Working with a licensed therapist, Field Instructors teach healthy emotional and behavioral habits to students through a nomadic, therapeutic journey in the backcountry of northeastern Utah. The wilderness provides immediate natural learning opportunities for the students' choices. It also provides the ideal backdrop for Field Instructors to teach craft skills, backpacking techniques and low impact camping principles. Field Instructors develop clinical qualities unrivaled in therapeutic wilderness care. Shelter building, friction fires, backpacking, mindfulness, simple daily chores, teamwork, relationship skills, problem solving, and life-changing lesson are all taught in the moment.
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Location |
The Second Nature main office is based in the city of Duchesne, approximately 80 miles southeast of Park City and two hours east of Salt Lake City. As the seasons and weather change, students and staff migrate between the lodgepole pine and quaking aspens of the High Uintas (elevation of 8,000 to 10,250 feet) during the summer months and the Juniper trees and ancient cliff art in the rugged high desert terrain of the Uinta basin (elevation of 5,000 to 7,000 feet) near Nine Mile Canyon in the winter months. |
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Time Commitment |
Field Instructors make an initial commitment through seasonal contracts (minimum 3 months) and/or a year-round contract. The work week runs from Tuesday to Tuesday, with an eight-day on, six-day off schedule. All prospective Field Instructors are required to attend an Orientation Trip, a seven-day period spent in the field, backpacking and learning with other trainees. Trainees will learn to maintain student safety, provide positive role modeling, facilitate assertive and compassionate communication skills, and implement other program principles. Participating in the Orientation Trip does not guarantee a job. However, if you have been selected to participate, you already have met the position requirements and Second Nature has high hopes for you to be hired. Employment is offered on the last day of the orientation process.
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Perks & Rewards |
Second Nature believes in supporting staff in both their professional development as well as in their transition to the company and the wonderful world of wilderness therapy. In addition to a $1,100 sign-on bonus and limited affordable housing offered, Field Instructors begin earning $180/day for their first three shifts. Pay progresses up to $325/day as Instructor's work on personal and professional development for self-propelled level advancement. All levels have access to benefits that include full health and dental insurance (after 90 days), performance bonuses, participation in a 401k plan (after 12 months), scholarships for professional development, all required certifications provided at no cost, training courses for level advancement (such as a WFR course), and staff have access to therapy sessions. Second Nature also offers in-house training from which Field Instructors can learn communication skills, emergent strategies, nature-based therapy techniques, and many more useful tools.
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The Essentials |
Applicants must be at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and current CPR/first aid certification (this is provided during the Orientation Trip free of charge). It is helpful, but not necessary, to have backpacking experience. Experience working with youth, counseling or teaching is helpful as well. Second Nature also offers in-house training from which Field Instructors can learn communication skills, emergent strategies, non-violent de-escalation, and many more useful tools. Instructors who are married or dating may work together at Second Nature. The couple will spend at least their first three rotations in separate groups to facilitate the development of their personal style. After this time period they can make a request to the Field Directors to work together.
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| Diversity at Second Nature |
Second Nature is committed to creating and fostering environments that are welcoming, equitable, and inclusive for all students, instructors and staff. While celebrating the array of diversity represented within the Second Nature community, focus and intention is always maintained on the continued journey that the entire team must all walk to create spaces together. |
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Your First Move & Connections |
If you have a love for the outdoors and wish to make a positive impact on youth, fill out the online application (in the application, please upload your resume, one letter of recommendation, and copies of all certifications). Once you have a completed application on file, the recruiter will review your information and contact you for an informal phone interview. If all goes well during this call, you will be invited to participate in an Orientation Trip session. Sending in your application well in advance will give you the best chance of participating in the Orientation Trip session that best fits your schedule!
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