Employment

If you would like to download our Online Job Application, you need a copy of Adobe Reader (it's free, so download now by clicking the button.)

After obtaining a copy of Adobe Reader, you should be able to open, print and download the files listed below.

Instructor Application

Reference Form for Instructor/Climber Positions

Instructor/Field Staff Salary Sheet

If you do not have Adobe Reader and do not wish to download it, please call (800) 850-7823 x194 to request an application, or e-mail us at .

Your application will be reviewed, and you will be contacted via mail or e-mail to let you know that we have received your information. If, after a reasonable time you have not heard from us, please feel free to call at (800) 850-7823 x194.

North Carolina Outward Bound is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin or sexual orientation.

Our Mission – Inspiring people to discover and develop their potential to care for themselves, others and the world around them through challenging experiences in unfamiliar settings.

Outward Bound is an international educational movement dedicated to the idea that people are capable of far more than they know. Originally designed for young sailors during World War II, the program fostered leadership qualities needed to head out on the high seas- when ships were ‘Outward Bound’. Now, all around the world, Outward Bound schools are preparing people to take challenges and achieve more than they ever thought possible.

Kurt Hahn, Outward Bound’s founder, was adamant that human potential should be harnessed for the well-being of all people. As a Jewish educator living in Nazi Germany, he had witnessed the horror of human power unchecked by compassion and moral courage. Hahn pioneered educational programs that inspired young people to embrace their common humanity, engage in service and become active citizens. By living in a group in a wilderness setting and facing authentic challenges, participants realize what they are truly capable of and develop compassionate, courageous leadership skills needed for actively engaging in their lives back home.

As a leader in wilderness-based experiential education, North Carolina Outward Bound School offers a diverse selection of courses in scenic and remote wilderness areas. Our instructors are accomplished outdoor educators, with extensive experience and training in technical and facilitation skills. We are looking for a diverse range of people who are sincerely interested in the growth and development of others on a personal, group and larger societal level.

North Carolina Outward Bound field staff are dedicated, skilled individuals who choose service, education and adventure as their career. Our field staff are the heart and soul of every Outward Bound course and their leadership, talents and insights add depth to the course experience. Field staff return to work for the school because of the students’ lives they touch, the friendships they build with co-workers, and for the mentoring, development and inspiration our community provides.

Outward Bound field staff are compassionate, engaging educators who delight in inspiring students to grow and learn. Our field staff come from all walks of life and possess a vast array of backgrounds, talents, and experience. Solid group facilitation, life experience, enthusiasm, and teaching skill are as valued as personal technical ability. Some field staff have worked previously in outdoor education before joining us at Outward Bound, while others come straight from college or from other careers.

Outdoor Technical Skills: Our course areas are incredibly diverse. We seek the same diversity in the technical skills of our incoming instructional staff. We need individuals with a variety of the following skills: backpacking, backcountry navigation, rock climbing, mountaineering, flat and whitewater canoeing, and sea kayaking. All staff must appreciate and feel comfortable in remote outdoor environments, with solid experience in the primary activities of at least one of our course areas. Extended backpacking, paddling or climbing trips are the most common ways our staff have developed their expedition skills. Most importantly, we look for and will build upon a subtle, yet important skill: outdoor judgment--the ability to make sound, safe decisions under challenging circumstances. Support Staff and Interns are not required to have the above technical skills, though outdoor experience is valuable to the positions.

Teaching, Communication and Character: We need people who are compassionate, sensitive, careful listeners, and articulate communicators. These are mature and humble folks who can convert the Outward Bound experience into lessons in life, and are genuinely interested in the growth and development of others. Previous experience in facilitating group dynamics is desired, especially for those working with adolescents. A love for the outdoors, common sense, and a sense of humor are vital to the success of our staff.

Minimum Certifications Required: Wilderness First Responders (WFR) and current CPR for Assistant and Lead Instructors.
Note: Additional certifications are sometimes required, and depend on course activity.

Leadership: We look for leadership experience at other outdoor organizations, in education and in public service. Most importantly, we look for leadership qualities of character, empathy, commitment and charisma. Field staff at Outward Bound are passionate about their work with students, and are skilled at finding varied ways to offer leadership to, and build rapport with, a group of students of any age.

Physical and Emotional Stamina: Applicants must be sufficiently fit to participate in all course activities and maintain ample energy, strength, and focus to assist students with physical and emotional obstacles. Outward Bound courses challenge instructors with 18-mile hikes, all-day and into the night paddles, sometimes-uncooperative students, changing weather and separation from friends and family.

Time Commitment: Summer is our busiest time at Outward Bound. Almost all of our field staff begin with work at one of our summer programs, most of which run May - August. Our training program is extensive and skills learned build on one another. To really blossom as an Instructor requires a commitment of two or more summers.

North Carolina Outward Bound is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin or sexual orientation.

Individuals interested in joining the school’s instructional staff usually possess a full resume of experience leading wilderness expeditions for programs with similar missions to Outward Bound. As a minimum, successful candidates have personal and institutional climbing experience; lead climbing/guiding experience is especially valuable. Similarly, successful candidates also have whitewater canoeing experience; and again, individuals who are active paddlers and own their own boats are valued. We seek staff who are committed to the process of educating, possess strong facilitation/interpersonal skills, and have a track record of teaching experience, either in or out of the classroom. For the full list of criteria for hiring click the link below.

We are committed to giving applicants feedback in areas they can work on to improve their skills. In the event you are not selected for employment, this information will be offered to you. We do not believe the kind of leaders we are seeking can be turned out of an instructor course without previous skills, training, and experience that compliment such a course. In some cases we may recommend a particular course to assist you in becoming a more attractive candidate to us in the future. We may also recommend you to other employers.

The North Carolina Outward Bound School screens and selects new applicants once a year. Our primary staffing process begins in November, with most work offers being offered January through March. A small number of additional assistant instructors are hired during the months of June through August for limited fall work.

Due to the changing nature of our field staff and student enrollment, we may hire qualified candidates outside of these timelines.

Once we have received your completed application and references, we will begin reviewing your file and contact you regarding interviews. Face-to-face interviews are recommended. However, due to the geographic diversity of applicants, we conduct many phone interviews as well.

If you are currently working as an Outward Bound Instructor in the USA and would like to be considered for instructional work at North Carolina Outward Bound School, it is not necessary to complete a new application. To apply for instructional work, please send a current resume including your specific OB course work along with a copy of one OB instructor evaluations and contact information for 2 references to : Trisha Haitz, 2582 Riceville Road, Asheville, NC 28805 or .

Most people work for the majority of the summer in their first season, with opportunities for additional "off-season" work being offered in late summer. Generally first season summer work agreements are comprised of  two to three longer courses (14 or 21 days) interspersed by school-contract courses of shorter duration. A new staff person is usually contracted to work their first summer from one of three base-sites. We believe this aids in building community and developing course area familiarity.

Development opportunities abound within the School with many diverse trainings being offered throughout the year.

If you would like to download our Online Job Application, you need a copy of Adobe Reader (it's free, so download now by clicking the button.)

After obtaining a copy of Adobe Reader, you should be able to open, print and download the files listed below.

Instructor Application

Reference Form for Instructor/Climber Positions

Instructor/Field Staff Salary Sheet

If you do not have Adobe Reader and do not wish to download it, please call (800) 850-7823 x194 to request an application, or e-mail us at .

Your application will be reviewed, and you will be contacted via mail or e-mail to let you know that we have received your information. If, after a reasonable time you have not heard from us, please feel free to call at (800) 850-7823 x194.

North Carolina Outward Bound is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin or sexual orientation.