Deer Hill Expeditions

UPDATES: Hiring for 2022!

Hiring:

Interns live onsite and support Deer Hill programs and operations by preparing equipment, packing supplies, repairing gear, maintaining facilities, and facilitating resupplies. This internship offers a unique perspective and opportunity for interaction in the community of outdoor education. Interns work alongside field staff during transitions and resupplies, they help participants get outfitted with gear from our store, they work alongside our kitchen staff preparing meals, and they work with our Facility Manager preparing vehicles for use. With hands-on experience and guidance from Deer Hill administrative staff, Interns learn about the logistics and systems to facilitate multi-element wilderness expeditions and cross-cultural service projects.

Upon completion of the internship program, exceptional and motivated interns may be invited back to work with Deer Hill in an Assistant Instructor or Instructor role.

Overview:

• Interns live and work on site at Deer Hill for the season.

• Responsibilities include: food packing, resupply, pack out, de-issue, driving, gear repair and maintenance, cooking, cleaning, administrative work, and facility projects to upkeep Basecamp.

• Internship is logistic and operation focused.

• Weekly schedule varies to accommodate programming needs.

Dates:

• Spring Internship: March 21-May 30, 2022

• Summer Internship: June 1-August 19th 2022

Required Qualifications:

• 20 years of age minimum.

• Able to work legally in the United States.

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

• Ability to pass criminal background checks.

• Good physical condition, able to carry 50 pounds.

• Able to commit to the duration of the internship. ­

• Comfortable driving long distances and camping.

• Able to live and work cooperatively with others.

• Willing to work long hours.

• Dependable and professional.

Desired Qualifications:

• Pursuing a career as an outdoor professional.

• Positive attitude and good sense of humor.

• Experience repairing gear.

Benefits:

• Lodging provided.

• Supplemental food and meals available.

• Access to pro purchase programs.

• Join Field Staff River Training (~5 day river trip).

• $ 1,200-1,500 one time stipend.

This internship offers a unique perspective and opportunity for interaction in the community of outdoor education. Interns live onsite and go out on expeditions backpacking, whitewater rafting, and to cross-cultural service. The Adventure Photography Intern will photograph groups and landscapes throughout the Southwest. They will organize and contribute to Deer Hill’s existing photo database.

Overview: 

• In the summer, Deer Hill operates multi-week programs for participants in 7th-12th grades.

• The Adventure Photography Intern will accompany programs backpacking, whitewater rafting, and on cross-cultural service to photograph the trips. 

• The intern will live on site at Deer Hill in between expeditions.

• They will organize the existing photo database and take photos on expeditions.

Dates:

• June 6-July 25, 2022

Required Qualifications:

• 20 years of age minimum.

• Able to work legally in the United States.

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

• Ability to pass criminal background checks.

• Good physical condition, able to carry 50 pounds.

• Able to commit to the duration of the internship.

• Comfortable driving long distances.

• Comfortable backpacking and living in the backcountry.

• Able to live and work cooperatively with others.

• Willing to work long hours.

• Dependable and professional.

• Prior photography experience in a backcountry setting.

Desired qualifications:

• Has photography equipment (camera, lenses, etc…) which is functional and able to travel in the backcountry.

• Flexible and able to adapt to changing situations.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Affective organization abilities.

• Ability to work well independently and with others.

• Self-aware and engaged in own personal growth.

• Grounded, fun, and hardworking.

Benefits:

• Food and lodging provided

• Access to pro purchase programs, providing steep discounts to top name, outdoor gear brands

• Attending Summer Guide school- a complete river training that equips intern with skills on the river, risk management, decision making, leadership, and education curriculum. 

• $900 stipend

Deer Hill Expeditions is hiring professional Field Staff for the 2022 season! If you have questions about working at Deer Hill, please contact the Staff Manager at staff@deerhillexpeditions.com.

Our field staff bring a wide range of backgrounds and training to their role. The one element that they all have in common is the desire to provide participants with the most meaningful, educational, and fun programs possible. Every day, Deer Hill field staff make an impact on the lives of our participants through their leadership and presence. Our field staff instill in our participants a strong foundation of outdoor skills, service work experience, communication and interpersonal skills in the mountains, deserts and rivers of the Southwest U.S. and Costa Rica. Field staff often find that their work with Deer Hill is deeply fulfilling because it is meaningful. They experience the daily richness of supporting participants as they take risks, build new skills, and ultimately learn to connect more fully with the wilderness, others and themselves.

Overview:

• In the spring and fall, Deer Hill works with schools and private groups.

• Spring and fall groups range from Waldorf school trips and family custom programs, to religious organizations and international schools.

• In the summer, Deer Hill operates multi-week programs for participants in 7th-12th grades

• Summer participants sign up individually and include adolescents with varying outdoor experience from the US and around the world. Participants also include high potential, low-income scholarship recipients, supported by the Deer Hill Foundation and other non-profits.

Benefits:

• Food and lodging provided while on contract (and include: meals, beds, laundry facilities, staff storage area, kitchen, ping pong table, horseshoe pit, pond, fruit trees and 130 acres—if you’d rather sleep under the stars).

• Access to pro purchase programs, providing steep discounts to top name, outdoor gear brands.

• Professional development trainings to support Field Staff growth and continuing education.

• Deer Hill offers a Spring River Refresher and a Summer Guide School, free of charge, for new and returning Field Staff. The Spring River Refresher includes river safety, Deer Hill river systems, and a basic overview of Deer Hill field operations. The Summer Guide School is a complete river training that equips new and returning Field Staff with the skills necessary to become a licensed Utah River Guide. Both trainings include risk management, decision making, leadership, and education curriculum.

Required Qualifications:

• 21 years of age minimum.

• Able to work legally in the United States.

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

• Current CPR and WFR certifications, minimum.

• Able to pass criminal background check with CBI and FBI.

• Able to manage participant and program needs 24/7 for the duration of the contract.

• Successful professional experience guiding and teaching groups in wilderness settings.

Desired skills:

• River experience rowing oar frames and paddle boats.

• Motivated to create impactful, meaningful experiences for adolescents.

• Flexible and able to adapt to changing situations.

• Desire to be of service to others.

• Self-aware and engaged in own personal growth.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Affective organization abilities.

• Able to work well independently and with others.

• Grounded, fun, and hard-working.
  

Deer Hill Expeditions (DHE) is seeking to hire a skilled, motivated and experienced individual for the Staff Manager position. This administrative position is year-round. Primary responsibilities include the hiring, training, and management of seasonal Field Staff. This includes the recruitment, interviewing, hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating of Program Leaders, Instructors & Assistant Instructors. Other responsibilities include managing the state regulations as it pertains to staffing, upholding the DHE accreditation standards through the Association of Experiential Education, leading the Deer Hill risk management committee, and updating staff manuals. The ideal candidate is attentive to details and deadlines, organized, self-motivated, and adaptable. This position requires clear communication skills, patience, and humor.

Additional position details:

• Deliver current briefing and debriefing topics, address risk management issues, and promote instructor development through ongoing education and feedback.

• Ensure that Field Staff deliver the DHE mission, values, and culture.

• Optimize existing sources and develop new ones for staff recruitment.

• Process and manage staff paperwork including background checks, licenses, certifications, and employment requirements.

• Develop and deliver annual field staff trainings

• Review and maintain staff manuals, curriculum and written educational tools.

• 5-6 day work weeks when programs are in progress (March-October).

• Manager on Duty 2-3 days per week when programs are in progress.

Required Qualifications:

• Passionate about outdoor programming.

• Prior experience and success in supervision

• An ability to multitask and perform job responsibilities well under pressure

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills via in-person, phone, text, video & email.

• Commitment to the success of the program and participants.

• Skilled with Apple computers, Google Workspace, Slack, and email correspondence.

• Reliable access to phone and use as an MOD

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with outdoor experiential education.

• Professional and well organized with a high attention to detail

• Demonstrated tolerance for adversity and uncertainty.

• Outgoing, friendly, positive attitude, strong listening skills with ability to deliver and receive feedback.

• Ability to adapt in a growing and fast-paced environment.

Benefits:

• Salary: $36k-$43k DOE. Year round, Full time

• Up to 3% IRA matching after first year of employment

• Meals available during programming season

• Access to industry pro purchase plan

• Access to Deer Hill equipment and gear

• Temp housing may be available
  

Deer Hill Expeditions (DHE) is seeking to hire a skilled, motivated and experienced individual for the Food Manager position. This position plays an integral role here at Deer Hill by bringing us together over meals. Primary responsibilities include managing a commercial kitchen, meal planning, ordering food, hiring and managing kitchen cooks. Deer Hill’s operating season is fast paced and includes long days. This position requires dedication, active leadership, and clear communication skills, mentoring skills, initiative, patience and humor. The ideal candidate is attentive to details and deadlines, organized, self-motivated, and adaptable.

Additional Position Details:

• Oversee and manage all food systems for Basecamp and for Programs in the field.

• Improve and update food program annually

• Cook meals for basecamp as needed

• Create menus for groups in Basecamp and Programs in the field

• Advertise, hire, train, schedule and supervise 3-4 Kitchen Cooks all cooks during the programming season

• Maintain an organized and clean kitchen

• Partake in annual Field Staff and Intern Trainings regarding the food program

• 5-6 day work weeks when programs are in progress (March-October)

Required Qualifications:

• Reliable access to phone and available for food issues that arise.

• Experience using computers in an office environment.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.

• An ability to multitask and perform job responsibilities well under pressure.

Desired Qualifications:

• Motivated and organized with prior relevant experience

• Outgoing, friendly, positive attitude, strong listening skills with ability to deliver and receive feedback.

• Familiarity with outdoor experiential education.

• Demonstrated tolerance for adversity and uncertainty.

Benefits:

• Salary: $34k-$40k DOE. Year round, Full time

• Up to 3% IRA matching after first year of employment

• Meals available during programming season

• Access to industry pro purchase plan

• Access to Deer Hill equipment and gear

• Temp housing may be available

Additional Information About Deer Hill Expeditions

Deer Hill’s mission is to empower the individual to create an authentic connection to self and community through wilderness and service experiences. Through Deer Hill’s unique blend of wilderness challenge and cross-cultural interaction with families in Navajo, Hopi, or Zuni communities, participants experience profound growth and self-discovery as well as good fun and adventure. Deer Hill serves youth between the ages of 13-18 for our summer expeditions that run from 19 to 26 days. Our participants come from a vast variety of backgrounds and locations across the world.