Employment Opportunities

Positive Adventures hires Education Facilitators to support our Spring, Summer and Fall Outdoor Education Seasons. Each Program is generally 3-5 days in length and takes place in a variety of world-class settings including California national parks, mountain retreat centers, Central Coast beaches, and more. We offer educational basecamp and backcountry programs working with students ranging from 4th to 12th grade. Students come from a large variety of diverse backgrounds with many of our students experiencing the outdoors for the first time. Be part of a team that is making a difference by getting youth outside!

How to Apply

Do you love working outdoors and connecting with people? If you’re passionate about creating meaningful experiences for students, we’d really love to hear from you. Fill out the application below, and let’s explore if Positive Adventures is the right fit for you.

Please fill out the following application.

Learn More…

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Work Season Overview

We require a 6-month minimum commitment for field staff, to be fulfilled across 2 working seasons throughout the year. Part-time and full-time positions are available.

Spring 2025 Season – Feb 13th to June 6th

Summer 2025 Season – June 8th to August 1st

Fall 2025 Season – August 16th to November 14th

  • Travel week-to-week to different program locations (staff carpool provided)
  • All meals and accommodations during working hours provided
  • Most programs are Monday-Friday (including prep time)
  • Evenings off - school partners supervise students overnight
  • Participants are grade levels from specific schools (4th-12th grade)

Paid Staff Training

Completion of 1 prior to your first season is mandatory

Spring Season: February 13-20, 2025 in Julian, CA

Fall Season: August 16-22, 2025 in Big Bear, CA

Locations for Programs

  • Residential camps in Big Bear, Idyllwild, Catalina Island, Sequoia area, & more
  • Basecamp in Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Pinnacles National Park
  • Coastal Basecamp in Big Sur, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz
  • Backcountry in Utah, California, and Nevada (WFR Req.)
  • Day Trips in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas
  • We create new trips in new places every year!

Position Responsibilities

  • Facilitate groups of 13-15 students through multi-activity OE curriculum in the residential camp and basecamp settings.
  • Ability to facilitate team-building initiatives, group games, ice breakers, and warm-up activities. Training provided. Prior experience is a plus.
  • Manage the risk involved with OE programs including group management, activity-specific risks, and emotional and social boundaries.
  • Manage belay stations effectively in both the ropes course and top-rope rock climbing site environments. Training provided. Prior experience is a plus.
  • Lead groups through activity rotations such as high ropes course, scrambling and hiking, environmental education hikes and lessons, low ropes team building. Night adaptation and astronomy. Training provided. Prior experience is a plus.

Position Qualifications

Below is a list of basic work requirements. Please review our full list of Essential Eligibility Criteria to understand the qualifications.

Basic Requirements:

  • Current First Aid/CPR (Wilderness First Aid or First Responder is a plus! We do not accept online only WFA/WFR certifications, but hybrid courses with an in-person component are accepted.)
  • At least 1 year of experience working in the outdoor education field or with youth in other settings
  • Must be at least 21 years old due to insurance reasons
  • Excellent communication, leadership, and teamwork skills
  • Proven ability to work with others, and maintain positivity in challenging situations
  • Availability to attend one of our paid trainings
  • Ability to pass a background check/live scan
  • Ability to work long days on your feet outside. Physical abilities including belaying, paddling, hiking up to 7 miles daily at elevation, carrying up to 50 lbs.
  • Access to your own personal outdoor gear to use on programs (we provide Pro Deals for many outdoor brands!)

 

Compensation

Positive Adventures is proud to compensate our staff at a highly competitive rate. We value your expertise, hard work, and dedication to our field. When working as a Field Facilitator on programs, compensation is arranged as follows:

  • Prep-Day(s) - defined as the day(s) before the client arrives = $125.00/Day
  • Field Day(s) - defined as full days of facilitation = $250.00/Day
  • Debrief Day - typically a partial day client-facing, plus cleanup/debrief hours = $125.00/Day
Example: A three-day youth program from Wednesday-Friday including one additional prep-day would be paid as follows:
  • Prep Day: Tuesday = $125.00
  • Field Days: Wednesday + Thursday = $500.00 ($250.00 each)
  • Debrief Day: Friday = $125.00
  • Total Program Pay = $750.00

In addition to the daily rate, staff accommodations and meals are provided while at work.

 

Feedback from Past & Present
Outdoor Education Facilitators

“Positive Adventures is a fast-paced, fun-filled space, moving from place to place every week – I learned so much in such a short time! It’s rewarding to work with students from different schools, range of grade levels, in various outdoor venues and activities. From staff to schools, great people to work with all around. I loved being able to work outdoors and share that passion with the kids in an alternate learning experience.”

“When working for PA you get to learn about and utilize your own strengths and leadership skills. All while experiencing the wild natural environments throughout the US and making a difference in a young person’s life. You get to work on a team of skilled leaders (who will likely become your friends!) and from whom you’ll learn new ideas. You get to work with an organization that cares about your safety and your feedback. And you get to share your knowledge, experience, mentorship, and care for the next generation and our earth.”

“Working for Positive Adventures provided an opportunity for me to make meaningful connections and facilitate impactful experiences with students, while exploring beautiful locations. I was given a chance to push myself to grow professionally and occupy new leadership roles in a safe and supported setting. I highly recommend PA for any outdoor educators who want to add to their skill set, gain experience, and have loads of fun doing so!”