How to hire an outdoor guide

How to hire an outdoor guide, step by step

Here's a step-by-step outdoor guide hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an outdoor guide job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new outdoor guide
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The outdoor guide hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An outdoor guide's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, outdoor guides from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of outdoor guide salaries for various roles:

   Type of Outdoor Guide	Description	Hourly rate
   Outdoor Guide		$5-95
   Escort	Escort is a service provided to accompany an individual, group of people, or vehicle to provide guidance and protection or mark of honor. Military Escort services accompany deceased military personnel to show respect-a healthcare escort sometimes accompanies patients to their destination for ongoing care safely... Show more	$10-17
   Guide	A guide is an expert on a location's history and gives guided tours to tourists at historic sites, nature and scenic attractions, and other travel destinations. Manuals are usually residents in the area hired by visitors' bureaus and travel companies... Show more	$8-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Responder
   • GPS
   • Outdoor Education
   • Natural History
   • Adventure Programs
   • Customer Service
   • Canoe
   • Outdoor Program
   • Kayaks
   • Outdoor Recreation
   • Risk Management
   • Safety Procedures
   • RAN
   • Outdoor Trips

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage payroll - specifically manage overtime.
   • Steer a large voyageur canoe, teach paddling skills, and safety practices.
   • Guide backpacking, canoe, white-water raft trips with a non-profit outdoor youth development program.
   • Facilitate a therapeutic outdoor adventure experience for teenagers struggling with a variety of behavioral, mental health and substance abuse challenges.
   • Manage commercial whitewater rafting outfit.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your outdoor guide job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An outdoor guide salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, outdoor guides' average salary in montana is 61% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level outdoor guides earn 94% less than senior-level outdoor guides.
   • Certifications. An outdoor guide with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an outdoor guide's salary.

   Average outdoor guide salary

   $49,220yearly

   $23.66 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level outdoor guide salary

   $12,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing an outdoor guide job description

   An outdoor guide job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an outdoor guide job description:

   Outdoor guide job description example

   **SUMMARY**
   
   The primary goal of this position is to facilitate safe, meaningful and fun outdoor experiences. The guide should be competent in leading hikes ranging in difficulty and distance, guiding and instructing mountain bike rides and classes, facilitating high and low ropes challenge course activities, as well as instructing rock climbing.
   
   **Essential Functions:**
   
   + Lead hikes of 3-12 miles with elevation gains ranging from 200-3000ft while carrying a 35 lbs. pack.
   
   + Lead mountain bike rides for 2hrs covering distances from 2-15 miles over varying levels of technical terrain.
   
   + Teach basic mountain biking skills.
   
   + Facilitate high ropes challenge course experiences for 2-6 hours per day, including long periods of time standing while belaying and facilitating. Must be comfortable climbing telephone poles and being at heights of 25-50 feet.
   
   + Instruct climbing wall activity, including teaching belaying, tying-in and climbing techniques.
   
   + Safely fit guests with harnesses and helmets.
   
   + Knowledgeably conduct inspections of all safety equipment. Including ropes, harnesses, helmets, hardware and challenge course structures
   
   + In all activities (especially challenge course) being willing and able to interact with guests on an emotional level.
   
   + In all activities having risk management as number one priority
   
   **Qualifications:**
   
   **QUALIFICATIONS**
   
   To perform this job successfully, an individual must have an interest in and knowledge about the natural world, including the Sonoran desert, or a curiosity to learn about our natural habitat. This person must have strong interpersonal skills, strong customer service skills, strong group management skills, and strong critical thinking and problem solving skills. They also need to have the ability to be flexible in regard to scheduling and daily duties. Personal interest in outdoor adventure pursuits, including extensive hiking experience, mountain biking experience, rock climbing experience and a knowledge of rope systems.
   
   **EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE**
   
   Previous professional/educational experience as an Outdoor Adventure guide or educator. First Aid and CPR certification
   
   **LANGUAGE SKILLS**
   
   Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
   
   **Primary Location:** US-AZ-Tucson
   
   **Organization:** Miraval Arizona Resort and Spa
   
   **Pay Basis:** Hourly
   
   **Job Level:** Full-time
   
   **Job:** Golf and Recreation
   
   
   Hyatt is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status or any other group protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right outdoor guide for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your outdoor guide job on Zippia to find and recruit outdoor guide candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit outdoor guides, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new outdoor guide

   Once you've decided on a perfect outdoor guide candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new outdoor guide first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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