Assistant Instructor

North Carolina Outward Bound School; Morganton (NC); On-site; USD 20,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing and meals provided

403(b) retirement plan access

Outdoor industry pro deals

Certification renewal reimbursements

Job summary

North Carolina Outward Bound School is seeking an Assistant Instructor for seasonal basecamp roles at Jonas Ridge, NC, and Brevard, NC. The position runs March/May through October 2027 and includes shared housing, meals, and outdoor teaching responsibilities.

You will co-lead groups of 10–12, focus on safety, skill development, and student growth, and participate in staff training. Prior OB experience is preferred; strong leadership and adaptability are essential.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years or older.
• Current WFR and CPR certifications required before start of staff training.
• Valid driver's license with minimum 3 years driving experience.
• Bachelor's degree and/or 2-3 years in outdoor education/experiential learning.
• Strong leadership, organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Flexible, adaptable, and open to change.
• Strong motivation, initiative, and follow-through.
• Willingness to commit to multiple years (2+ years).
• Comfort with extended outdoor living preferred.
• OB or wilderness expedition experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering the Outward Bound mission, programming, and curriculum.
• Contribute to course delivery: planning, equipment care, skills teaching, group management, and interpersonal skills coaching.
• Adhere to safety policies and emergency procedures.
• Provide clear, timely communication with co-instructors, Course Director, and staff.
• Proactively build relationships with students and manage group needs.
• Locate and use communication systems in emergencies.
• Give and receive timely feedback with coworkers and supervisors.
• Commit to personal growth and improving skills.

Skills

Wilderness First Responder

CPR Certification

Driver's License

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Adaptability

Safety Consciousness

Student Engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree or 2-3 years outdoor ed experience

Job description

Assistant Instructor

Table Rock Base Camp (Jonas Ridge, NC) Cedar Rock Base Camp (Brevard, NC) Seasonal, Exempt

This is a seasonal position beginning in either March or May 2027 and running through October 2027.

At North Carolina Outward Bound School, we believe that challenge and adventure build resilience, leadership, and compassion. To support our wilderness programs, we rely on strong program leaders who can cultivate safe, inclusive communities while delivering exceptional outdoor education experiences.

Our field staff are the heart and soul of every course! As a Assistant Instructor, you will co-lead a group of 10-12 teens or adults on outdoor adventures designed to empower our students and spark lifelong growth. Our instructors are consistent and positive leaders that relish the chance to teach others new skills. They are responsible for the safety of others and take that responsibility seriously-and they also know how to have serious fun! Field staff return year after year to work with NCOBS because of the lives they've touched, the friendships they've built, and the continuous inspiration and professional development that our community provides. As an organization that prides itself on serving our students to the highest degree, we seek experienced educators, instructors, guides, and those who have a love for outdoor recreation!

Living and working at an NCOBS basecamp is a unique experience that blends meaningful work, close community, and a deep connection to the outdoors. Basecamp life is an immersive community experience where staff live, work, and share daily life together in a remote wilderness setting. Shared housing and common spaces, communal meals, unpredictable weather, and occasional utility interruptions are all part of the rhythm of life at NCOBS. Team members who thrive in this environment embrace adaptability, community-mindedness, and the opportunity to build meaningful relationships while supporting a shared mission.

Position Details

• Assists in the delivery of the Outward Bound mission, programming, and educational curriculum.
• Contributes to all aspects of course delivery: planning (e.g. route, food, risk management), equipment care, technical skills teaching, group management, and coaching of interpersonal skills.
• Adheres to all local operating procedures, safety policies and emergency procedures outlined in the NCOBS Policy Manual.
• Provides clear, effective and timely communication with co-instructors, Course Director, and other staff.
• Pro-actively build relationships with students and manage group needs.
• Locates and uses communication systems in the event of an emergency.
• Consistently strives to give and receive timely, honest feedback with co-workers and supervisors.
• Commits to own professional growth as well as improving technical and interpersonal skills.

Position Requirements

• Must be at least 21 years old.
• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR certifications obtained prior to the start of new staff training.
• Valid driver's license with at least three years of driving experience.
• Bachelor's degree and/or 2-3 years' experience in the outdoor education/experiential learning field.
• Excellent leadership, organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Flexible, adaptable, and open to change.
• Strong personal motivation, initiative, follow-through, and commitment.
• Participates in required new staff training.
• Willingness to commit to multiple years of work. To fully blossom as an instructor requires a commitment of two or more years.
• A level of comfort with extended outdoor living that allows you to focus on the students' needs preferred.
• Outward Bound or other wilderness expeditionary experience (OB, NOLS, College Outing/Orientation trip or equivalent) preferred.

Employment & Physical Requirements

• Successful completion of background and motor vehicle records checks.
• Eligibility to work in the United States.
• Must be sufficiently fit to participate in all course activities and maintain ample energy, strength, and focus to aid students and instructors. This includes:
  • Extended time on your feet – sometimes for up to 16+ hours a day, or possibly more in the case of an emergency.
  • Ability to carry a 40 – 65-pound backpack on and off-trail for up to 12+ hours in a day.
  • Ability to occasionally lift and move up to 75 pounds.
  • Ability to sit, stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, and use hands and fingers to handle equipment and perform work tasks.
  • Ability to participate in moderate to vigorous outdoor activities, including running, swimming, climbing, backpacking, and paddling.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, including speaking and hearing, in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments.

Work Environment

• On Course:
  • Working and living in an outdoor environment for up to three weeks at a time (e.g. backpacking, canoeing, setting up camp, sleeping under tarps/tents, cooking for group on camp stoves).
• Off Course:
  • Primarily based at a seasonal wilderness basecamp in a remote community living environment. Requires access to and travel on U.S. Forest Service gravel roads (North Carolina bases) or by boat (Florida base). Basecamps are located up to one hour away from the nearest town by vehicle.
  • Extended periods of work and residence at NCOBS basecamps and/or in wilderness settings. Utilities, including electricity, heat, internet, and power, may be periodically interrupted.
  • Shared housing with shared bathrooms and common spaces. Staff cabins are basic but comfortable; laundry, showers, internet, a group kitchen, and recreational spaces are all available at the base camps.
• Irregular schedules, including evenings, weekends, and on-call responsibilities, may be required.

Benefits & Perks

Working at North Carolina Outward Bound School comes with perks that support your well-being and growth. Our benefits include:

• Housing and meals provided for the duration of work period.
• Access to benefits for qualifying employees.
• Access to contribute to a 403(b) retirement account with 1.5% employer match after 1 year of service
• Access to outdoor industry pro deals.
• Reimbursement for required certification renewals.

Compensation

Pay is per diem and based upon the NCOBS field staff pay scale.

• Assistant Instructors per diem is $110 per day worked.
• Skilled and motivated staff may be able to promote to full Instructor within their first season. Instructor per diem is $140 per day.

Application Process

To learn more and apply for this role, visit our website Careers page.

• After submitting an application, qualified applicants can expect to complete an initial, short screening interview and then may be invited for a longer, formal interview with members of the NCOBS Program Team.
• NCOBS will host two New Staff Training periods each year. Training is paid!For 2027, potential new instructors must be able to commit to one of the following training blocks:
  • March 22 – April 6
  • May 6 – May 21

Equal Opportunity & Anti-Harassment

North Carolina Outward Bound School is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under the law. We maintain a zero‑tolerance policy for harassment or discrimination of any kind and are dedicated to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all employees.

Accessibility & Accommodation

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where both current and future employees can thrive. Employees may request reasonable accommodation at any time to support the performance of essential job functions. The organization is committing to working collaboratively with employees to ensure they have the support and environment needed to succeed.

We are also committed to ensuring an accessible and inclusive hiring process. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation at any point during the application or interview process are encouraged to reach out. We are happy to work with applicants to provide the support needed to participate fully in the hiring process.