Interns, Backpack Instructors, and Logistics Staff

Learn more and apply on our website

Who We Are

At Outward Bound California (OBCA), we use challenging outdoor experiences to teach social-emotional skills like teamwork, leadership, and compassion. We offer a wide range of programs, including high/low ropes activities at our San Francisco Challenge Course and multi-day rock climbing/backpacking trips in the High Sierra and Joshua Tree. Our programs encourage our participants (ages 12+, including adults and veterans) to embrace challenges and reflect on how they want to contribute to their communities and the world. Check out what our staff and students have to say about our High Sierra programs in this video.

We are a part of the Outward Bound USA network with a 60-year history in the US as a leading provider of outdoor education. OBCA is a non-profit and is committed to increasing access for those who have traditionally been excluded from outdoor spaces. We work towards this goal with our 40 community partners and by offering scholarships to more than half of our students.

OBCA strives to create an equitable and inclusive culture where our staff feel respected for their identities and lived experiences. We are looking for team members who can actively join us in the process of furthering our vision for equity and belonging. We recognize that the outdoor industry has historically excluded those with non-dominant identities and know that has led to underrepresentation in this line of work. We strongly encourage those who more significantly face the impacts of systemic barriers to apply.

Schedule

• Administrative roles start late March/early April (flexible start date) and end mid/late September.
• Interns, Logistics Coordinators, and Alpine Backpack Instructors start May 5th for paid training. New staff are expected to work until mid September. Most new staff can expect to work 60-80 days per season (including training).

Benefits

• Room and board provided while on contract
• Pro deals (the opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at discounted rates)
• Professional development funds
• Eligible to enroll in 401k after 1 year from your start date
• Access to our free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family/household
• Per diem roles only: 56 hours (7 days) of paid sick time upon hire or at the beginning of each calendar year
• Full Time roles only: OBCA offers health insurance with employer contribution, PTO, long-term disability and life insurance, Flexible Spending Account, and Accident Insurance.

Location

This position is located at our High Sierra program base in Midpines, California, in the Sierra Nevada foothills 30 miles east of Yosemite National Park. High summer temperatures are frequently 100+ degrees Fahrenheit. The basecamp has a main building with an office, program gear storage sheds, a commercial kitchen, and weatherport living quarters (durable fabric structures). Trips generally take place in off-the-beaten-path locations within Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Sierra National Forest, and Yosemite National Park.