AWE Instructor (Athenian Wilderness Experience)

Reports To: AWE Director

Job Status: Temporary Contract (34.5 days) – Spring 2027

Compensation: $8,100 – $9,400 total stipend (commensurate with experience)

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 U.S., 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. We look forward to meeting you as you consider joining our community!

The Athenian Wilderness Experience (AWE) is a rigorous 26-day expeditionary backpacking course featuring rock climbing, solo, and potential independent student travel components. Courses are run during two sessions per year.

• Location: Yosemite National Park & Surrounding Wilderness Areas

• Staff Work Dates: Spring 2027 (Specific dates to be confirmed / July 14 – August 17)

The Athenian School seeks seasonal AWE Instructors with demonstrated expertise in risk management and technical execution for multi-day wilderness backpacking courses.

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  Instruction & Mentorship: Meet students where they are on their educational journey, scaffolding technical outdoor instruction to build community, foster self-awareness, and develop outdoor living skills for first-time and experienced backpackers alike.

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  Risk & Team Management: Co-instruct in pairs to manage technical components and lead groups safely through remote wilderness environments.

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  Inclusive Leadership: Honor and support the significant diversity of Athenian's student population, creating an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming outdoor space for all participants.

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  Values & Alignment: Model and uphold Athenian’s commitment to democracy, justice, equity, inclusion, service, and environmental stewardship.

• Certifications Required: Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification.

• Experience: Prior professional experience facilitating team development, managing risk, and modeling behavioral standards for 15–18 year-old youth on multi-day contiguous wilderness trips in remote settings.

• Technical Skills: Proven ability to teach core wilderness systems, including:

  • Navigation with paper topographic maps

  • Safe portable stove operations

  • Expedition packing systems

  • Tarp shelter setup and camp management

• Mindset & Approach: Highly adaptable, flexible, and solution-oriented when addressing unexpected wilderness challenges. Passionate about differentiated learning and fostering an appreciation for the natural world.

• Preferred Qualification: Experience with rock climbing instruction and top-rope belaying systems.