The Athenian School
Athenian Wilderness Experience Instructor (2026)
The Athenian School, Danville, California, United States, 94506
Overview
Athenian Wilderness Experience Instructor (2026) – Temporary Contract (34.5 days) for Spring 2026 or Summer 2026. Reports to AWE Director.
About Athenian 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 US 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. Please read through our site to learn more about our community. We look forward to meeting you as you consider Athenian!
About The Athenian Wilderness Experience The Athenian Wilderness Experience (AWE) is a rigorous 26-day expeditionary backpacking course with rock climbing, solo, and possible independent student travel components. Courses are run during two sessions per year. Staff work dates are:
Death Valley National Park: March 8 – April 11, 2026
Yosemite National Park & surroundings: July 14 – August 17, 2026
Primary Responsibilities The Athenian School seeks seasonal AWE Instructors with a history managing risk and technical components for multi-day wilderness backpacking courses. This person will work well in pairs, have excellent interpersonal skills, and be experienced managing and supporting teams in remote wilderness environments. They will enjoy understanding students, meeting them where they are on their educational path, and mentoring them in this unique setting. For many students this is their first experience in the outdoors and instructors have the expertise to scaffold instruction accordingly to build community and develop self-awareness. This person will value and honor the significant diversity of our student population.
Core Qualifications
Ability to provide structure, model appropriate behavior, and uphold behavioral standards for 15-18 year old youth.
Current Wilderness First Responder certification.
Prior professional experience facilitating team development and managing risk for teens on multi-day outdoor education trips in remote environments.
Experience with and ability to teach systems such as navigation with paper topographic maps, safe portable stove operations, packing systems, and tarp shelter setup.
Ability to lead differentiated learning experiences and maintain a flexible, solution-oriented mindset.
Commitment to inclusivity, democracy, justice, equity, inclusion, service, environmental stewardship, and fostering outdoor access for everyone.
Experience with rock climbing and belaying is preferred but not required.
Compensation & Community Involvement Athenian salaries are competitive and commensurate with work experience and education. Instructors are compensated for a total of 34.5 days, with 26 days in the field, and the AWE instructor salary range is $8,100 - $9,400. Community members enjoy meals on campus and use of athletics facilities, including a pool, gym and fitness center.
Non Discrimination Commitment The Athenian School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic characteristic or genetic information, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
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About Athenian 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 US 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. Please read through our site to learn more about our community. We look forward to meeting you as you consider Athenian!
About The Athenian Wilderness Experience The Athenian Wilderness Experience (AWE) is a rigorous 26-day expeditionary backpacking course with rock climbing, solo, and possible independent student travel components. Courses are run during two sessions per year. Staff work dates are:
Death Valley National Park: March 8 – April 11, 2026
Yosemite National Park & surroundings: July 14 – August 17, 2026
Primary Responsibilities The Athenian School seeks seasonal AWE Instructors with a history managing risk and technical components for multi-day wilderness backpacking courses. This person will work well in pairs, have excellent interpersonal skills, and be experienced managing and supporting teams in remote wilderness environments. They will enjoy understanding students, meeting them where they are on their educational path, and mentoring them in this unique setting. For many students this is their first experience in the outdoors and instructors have the expertise to scaffold instruction accordingly to build community and develop self-awareness. This person will value and honor the significant diversity of our student population.
Core Qualifications
Ability to provide structure, model appropriate behavior, and uphold behavioral standards for 15-18 year old youth.
Current Wilderness First Responder certification.
Prior professional experience facilitating team development and managing risk for teens on multi-day outdoor education trips in remote environments.
Experience with and ability to teach systems such as navigation with paper topographic maps, safe portable stove operations, packing systems, and tarp shelter setup.
Ability to lead differentiated learning experiences and maintain a flexible, solution-oriented mindset.
Commitment to inclusivity, democracy, justice, equity, inclusion, service, environmental stewardship, and fostering outdoor access for everyone.
Experience with rock climbing and belaying is preferred but not required.
Compensation & Community Involvement Athenian salaries are competitive and commensurate with work experience and education. Instructors are compensated for a total of 34.5 days, with 26 days in the field, and the AWE instructor salary range is $8,100 - $9,400. Community members enjoy meals on campus and use of athletics facilities, including a pool, gym and fitness center.
Non Discrimination Commitment The Athenian School is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to basing judgments concerning the employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities. The School does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic characteristic or genetic information, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
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#J-18808-Ljbffr