Wilderness Therapy Guide

Passages Alaska Field Guide

This position requires a drive for adventure, the ability to manage the unexpected, and the desire to be a healthy influence in the lives of others. It requires the ability to hold safe space in a wild place for a person that is struggling and may feel very out of their element. Working as a field guide in Southeast Alaska is the opportunity to experience a part of the Last Frontier from the seat of a canoe. You will encounter humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, black bears, bald eagles, salmon, halibut along with many others and come face to face with yourself. The guide position requires the confidence to manage a challenging situation with the humility to accept that there might be another way. Guides work as part of a team with other guides and clinical staff.

 Fishing experience is a plus. You will not be functioning as a fishing guide, but fishing is an integral part of our program. Good outdoor skills, including next level fire and shelter building are a necessity. Experience working with emotionally struggling young adults and adolescents is a plus but not required if similar experience suggests that a person might be a good fit.

Duties:

• Guides have the primary responsibility to facilitate a physically safe, and appropriately challenging experience for Passages Alaska participants.


• Guides model appropriate behavior.


• They teach support, encourage, and invite inquiry; inspiring students in a safe and validating manner.


• Guides exhibit and teach outdoor skill while living and traveling in the near coastal waters of Southeast Alaska via primitive means.


• Guides teach concepts and facilitate learning from an established, mindfulness-based student curriculum and from the natural world as teaching moments arise.


• Guides may lead group meditation, teach yoga, prepare a meal, de-escalate an emotional student and manage a black bear encounter all in the same day.


• Guides are responsible for documenting their work.


• Guides are asked to be flexible and willing to help out in areas outside of specifically delineated duties.

There is nothing boring or ordinary about work in this setting. It is challenging and awe inspiring. You will come away with a changed perspective about the world and likely about yourself.

It’s important to recognize that all staff members are growing and experiencing change along-side of the students we serve. Healthy boundaries are a must but parallel growth is a valuable benefit of this work.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years old


• Previous wilderness therapy experience. 


• Must be able to pass a background check, and random UA’s


• Must be physically and emotionally capable of spending extended time outdoors, away from cell service and Wi-Fi connectivity.


• Canoe and salt water experience is a plus.
  


• All staff must be comfortable living a congruent life with the values that we teach our students, to include living a clean and sober lifestyle and conducting themselves in a manner that reflects positively on themselves and our organization both on and off duty. We live and work in a very small community so our organization members are visible during their off time. We value our positive public image.

We offer:

• Pay is dependent on experience, but Alaska labor regulations dictate that our pay is above the industry standard and starts at $215.50 per day for in field days. Step increases are available with experience and professional development.


• We like to hire other positions from within our own organization so there is opportunity to move into other areas of responsibility


• Ongoing clinical and professional training


• Meals are included while guides are in the field.


• Two weeks paid training/ hiring seminar
  


• The opportunity to experience, in depth, a world class eco touring and sporting destination


• Typically 2 weeks on 1-2 weeks off allow plenty of time for travel and personal exploration


• A supportive and validating organization that values and works to incorporate the individual skills and talents of its members

Check us out at www.passagesalaska.com