What are the responsibilities and job description for the Athenian Wilderness Experience Instructor (2026) position at The Athenian School?
JOB TITLE: AWE Instructor
REPORTS TO: AWE Director
JOB STATUS: Temporary Contract (34.5 days) – Summer 2026
About Athenian
The Athenian School is an independent college preparatory boarding and day school that serves students in grades 6 - 12, from throughout the East Bay, California, the US and the world. Since our founding, we have been dedicated to educating students through experiential, collaborative and interdisciplinary learning. We foster critical thinking and value reasoned discourse and mutual respect. Please read through our site to learn more about our community. We look forward to meeting you as you consider Athenian!
About The Athenian Wilderness Experience
The Athenian Wilderness Experience (AWE) is a rigorous 26-day expeditionary backpacking course with rock climbing, solo, and possible independent student travel components. Courses are run during two sessions per year. Staff work dates are:
Yosemite National Park & surroundings: July 14 – August 17, 2026
Primary Responsibilities
The Athenian School seeks seasonal AWE Instructors with a history managing risk and technical components for multi-day wilderness backpacking courses. This person will work well in pairs, have excellent interpersonal skills, and be experienced managing and supporting teams in remote wilderness environments. They will enjoy understanding students, meeting them where they are on their educational path, and mentoring them in this unique setting. For many students this is their first experience in the outdoors and instructors have the expertise to scaffold instruction accordingly to build community and develop self-awareness. This person will value and honor the significant diversity of our student population.
Core Qualifications
Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to provide structure, role model, and uphold behavioral standards for 15-18 year old youth. They will have current certification as a Wilderness First Responder, as well as prior professional experience facilitating team development and managing risk for teens on outdoor education trips that take place over multiple contiguous days and nights in a remote environment. Instructors must have experience with and be able to teach systems such as: navigation with paper topographic maps, safe portable stove operations, packing systems, and tarp shelter set up. Successful applicants will bring excitement and experience to teaching students technical outdoor living skills, possess the ability to lead differentiated learning experiences, and maintain flexibility and a solution-oriented mindset when addressing new challenges. They will be driven to create comfort with and access to the outdoors for everyone, passionate about creating inclusive spaces, and inspired to foster appreciation of the natural world. AWE staff are expected to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to democracy, justice, equity, inclusion, service, and environmental stewardship. Experience with rock climbing and belaying is preferred but not required.
Compensation & Community Involvement
Athenian salaries are competitive and commensurate with work experience and education. Instructors are compensated for a total of 34.5 days, with 26 days in the field, and our AWE instructor salary range is $8,100 - $9,400. Community members enjoy meals on campus and use of athletics facilities, including a pool, gym and fitness center.
NON DISCRIMINATION COMMITMENT
The Athenian School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School is firmly committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and applicants in all areas of employment. The School does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic characteristic or genetic information, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
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REPORTS TO: AWE Director
JOB STATUS: Temporary Contract (34.5 days) – Summer 2026
About Athenian
The Athenian School is an independent college preparatory boarding and day school that serves students in grades 6 - 12, from throughout the East Bay, California, the US and the world. Since our founding, we have been dedicated to educating students through experiential, collaborative and interdisciplinary learning. We foster critical thinking and value reasoned discourse and mutual respect. Please read through our site to learn more about our community. We look forward to meeting you as you consider Athenian!
About The Athenian Wilderness Experience
The Athenian Wilderness Experience (AWE) is a rigorous 26-day expeditionary backpacking course with rock climbing, solo, and possible independent student travel components. Courses are run during two sessions per year. Staff work dates are:
Yosemite National Park & surroundings: July 14 – August 17, 2026
Primary Responsibilities
The Athenian School seeks seasonal AWE Instructors with a history managing risk and technical components for multi-day wilderness backpacking courses. This person will work well in pairs, have excellent interpersonal skills, and be experienced managing and supporting teams in remote wilderness environments. They will enjoy understanding students, meeting them where they are on their educational path, and mentoring them in this unique setting. For many students this is their first experience in the outdoors and instructors have the expertise to scaffold instruction accordingly to build community and develop self-awareness. This person will value and honor the significant diversity of our student population.
Core Qualifications
Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to provide structure, role model, and uphold behavioral standards for 15-18 year old youth. They will have current certification as a Wilderness First Responder, as well as prior professional experience facilitating team development and managing risk for teens on outdoor education trips that take place over multiple contiguous days and nights in a remote environment. Instructors must have experience with and be able to teach systems such as: navigation with paper topographic maps, safe portable stove operations, packing systems, and tarp shelter set up. Successful applicants will bring excitement and experience to teaching students technical outdoor living skills, possess the ability to lead differentiated learning experiences, and maintain flexibility and a solution-oriented mindset when addressing new challenges. They will be driven to create comfort with and access to the outdoors for everyone, passionate about creating inclusive spaces, and inspired to foster appreciation of the natural world. AWE staff are expected to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to democracy, justice, equity, inclusion, service, and environmental stewardship. Experience with rock climbing and belaying is preferred but not required.
Compensation & Community Involvement
Athenian salaries are competitive and commensurate with work experience and education. Instructors are compensated for a total of 34.5 days, with 26 days in the field, and our AWE instructor salary range is $8,100 - $9,400. Community members enjoy meals on campus and use of athletics facilities, including a pool, gym and fitness center.
NON DISCRIMINATION COMMITMENT
The Athenian School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School is firmly committed to equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and applicants in all areas of employment. The School does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic characteristic or genetic information, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
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Salary : $8,100 - $9,400