Employment Opportunities
We’re looking for talented and motivated people who share our commitment to the environment and its study.
We hire for key field roles including Lead Instructor, Logistics Coordinator and Teaching Assistant.
We also have roles for Office Coordinator and Field Studies Advisor.
Please see our open positions and job descriptions for more information.
The Lead Instructor will direct students on an academically rigorous, wilderness-based six-week field study to explore habitats and cultures of specific U.S.A. and international locales, with the aim to offer the course repeatedly each year. Students earn 15 quarter credits for three field classes covering Environmental Studies, Field Research Practices, and Environment and Culture. Lead Instructor is responsible for the overall program experience including seminars, lectures, instruction, guided field work and field methods, and assessment of all student work, as well as group dynamics and the overall well-being of participants.
Teaching Assistants are college graduates, often Wildlands Studies alumni, who have demonstrated strong academic ability, leadership, logistical and organizational skill, and excellent communication. We define the teaching assistant as the person responsible for assisting the instructor(s) with the logistics, academic program and day-to-day on-site concerns on a specific project. Duties include daily support for the general program and participants while on the project, daily guidance on activities, assistance with risk management, any and all logistics needed or additional assistance as requested by instructor. In addition, this position may be asked to provide academic support where knowledge and expertise is appropriate, and under the authority of the instructor.
Wildlands Studies defines the “Logistics Coordinator” as the person responsible for assisting the instructor(s) with on-site program logistics. Duties include working with external and internal parties to organize and coordinate daily logistics of the program, including the general logistical set up of field study activities; coordination of travel, food, accommodation, vehicle, resources, guest lecturers, and other details related to the day-to-day operations of the program; daily support for the general program and participants while on the program; guidance, support, coordination on activities; and any other logistics needed. In addition, this position may be asked to provide academic content where knowledge is appropriate, and under the authority of the Lead Instructor. While the program’s leadership remains the purview of the Lead Instructor, this position may take on significant leadership duties in the Program’s logistical oversight.
HIRING NOW FOR 2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR
Annually, Wildlands Studies hires a Field Studies Advisor to promote our programs and facilitate student enrollment. This key position becomes the “face” of Wildlands Studies with in-person university visits to share and promote our programs through classroom announcements, student information sessions and short meetings with academic advisors. Our Field Studies Advisor will travel to numerous universities for five consecutive weeks in fall, winter, and spring quarter. The person best suited to this position likes to travel, can enthusiastically and persuasively share with undergraduates and advisors the critical importance of field study courses to a young person’s career, and articulate the positive impact Wildlands Studies had on your life personally. This position must be able to interact easily with university faculty, advisors and undergraduate students, build enthusiasm for our programs and convince students to participate.
Wildlands Studies utilizes an Office Coordinator to support our daily administration. This individual must have a strong interest or background in university administration, environmental education, direct management of university students, and/or the outdoor recreation industry. We would love for this to be an alumni of our programs! Under the direction of the Director, this position is responsible for many day-to-day office duties as well as specific tasks including student applications, parent/student inquiries and interactions, application interviews, program preparation and management, contracts, database management, and some university relations and campus outreach. Applicant must be able to work from Santa Cruz, CA or the surrounding area. We will revise this post when this position becomes available.
