Wilderness Fellow

The Wilderness Program at UWC-USA invites applications for our 5 week fellowship position, which will bring those starting out in a career in outdoor education to the UWC-USA campus in Montezuma, New Mexico. UWC-USA is a 2-year residential school with a diverse student population representing over 90 different countries. We are seeking a fellow who represents our diverse student body and strongly encourages applicants from under-represented communities in the outdoors. As a program we welcome individuals from every nation, racial and ethnic group, socioeconomic and political background. Our effectiveness as a program is based on building community in the wilderness that embodies diversity in all its forms.

The Wilderness Program components are backpacking, climbing, mountain biking, and swimming. participate in as many trips and activities as they would like.

In this 5 week position, Fellows are expected to reside at UWC-USA and become a part of the community. Fellows will gain experience supporting the student life programming offered through the wilderness department and residential life. Fellows will share from their areas of expertise both formally and informally, and work with students in small groups. Fellows will split their time between leading students in the field, administrative tasks, and preparing trip logistics. Fellows will gain experience working directly with the Wilderness Director in trip leading and teaching.

As part of the fellowship program, Fellows will be expected to:

• Reside at UWC-USA
• Participate on all overnight backpacking trips throughout the fall as an instructor in training
• Lead day hikes to local trailheads
• Assist in logistical preparation for all trips (including paperwork, food and gear issue and
  de-issue, and driving to trailheads)
• Engage formally/informally with experiential education department and residential life
• Assist in the residential dorms
• Assist with wilderness experiential education program to introduce students to campus trails
• Plan and run an outdoor workshop series based on area of personal interest & skill
• Participate, as needed, in other initiatives of the wilderness program

Preferred Qualifications

• A current WFR (Wilderness First Responder) certification and CPR/AED certification. Willing to give time off for a candidate to take the course if they do not have the certification.
• Fluency with Leave No Trace principles and a strong wilderness preservation ethic.
• Experience traveling in the backcountry, including at elevations above 10,000 feet, and on trips of at least 5 days.
• Experience with rock climbing and climbing wall management.
• Experience biking and mountain biking.
• Experience and a desire to develop expertise in assessing and managing backcountry terrain and hazards; backcountry risk-management, including lightning, rockfall, river crossings, and map & compass navigation on- and off-trail.
• Current driver's license and 23 years of age to be eligible to drive school vehicles.

Applications for the position are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applications should include the following:

• A detailed resume
• A statement of interest that elaborates on:
  • Experience or desire to work with diverse student populations and gain experience in pre-trip administrative support and leading novices in the backcountry.
• The contact information for three references.

Wilderness Fellows will be paid an hourly rate in addition to lodging and food. Start and end dates are negotiable for the right candidate.