True North Wilderness

Careers at True North

Helping families chart the course

Dedicated and Experienced Professionals

Our small, close-knit community of professionals provides an inspiring and nurturing experience for our students and their families. True North staff is handpicked to ensure we have a talented team with a rich and varied set of skills. We believe that the strength and success of any organization lies within its members, and every day our staff brings their passion, integrity and professionalism to the True North Wilderness Program.

True North is committed to enriching the experience of our students, families, and team by celebrating an inclusive work environment.  We seek to recruit a broadly diverse staff who will contribute a variety of viewpoints and experiences to ongoing program development and superior support of our clients.  We encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups including professionals of color and diverse gender identities.

Currently Hiring:

Wilderness Therapy Guide- $1000 Hiring Bonus

True North is actively hiring for Wilderness Therapy Guide positions. Are you motivated and energized? Do you have a desire to mentor youth and young adults? Minimal outdoor experience necessary.  We are looking for individuals who are empathic and caring, and natural leaders and strong communicators.  The Guide role is perfect for someone who is eager to learn and enhance their therapeutic skill set.  Guides are a full-time, year-round position. Guides work an 8 day on / 6 day off schedule. See below for more information.

All-Gender Adolescent Therapist

The Clinical Department is currently hiring a Course Leader/Therapist to specialize in working in the All-Gender Program. This full-time position is responsible for managing a caseload of up to 7 adolescent students. True North therapists are comfortable in the outdoor setting and love working with adolescents and their families. They must be confident and composed in challenging situations. Course Leaders demonstrate superior communication, leadership, and therapeutic skills and work collaboratively with a team. For more information, see below.

Therapist

The Clinical Department is currently hiring a Course Leader/Therapist. This full-time position is responsible for managing a caseload of up to 7 adolescent students. True North therapists are comfortable in the outdoor setting and love working with adolescents and their families. They must be confident and composed in challenging situations. Course Leaders demonstrate superior communication, leadership, and therapeutic skills and work collaboratively with a team. For more information, see below.

Adventure Coordinator

The Field Department is seeking an Adventure Coordinator to facilitate adventure activities with students including hiking, water sports (canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding), backcountry cooking, yoga, disc golf, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.  The ideal candidate is an adaptable team player, with a positive attitude and leadership skills.  See below for more information.

Operations Support

The Operations Department is seeking a full-time, year-round Operations Support person. The ideal candidate is an adaptable team player with a positive attitude who is willing to work both indoors and outdoors performing a variety of tasks associated with the logistics of running our program.  For more information, see below.

 

A Closer Look

True North Guides

The Role:

The Wilderness Therapy Guide is essential to the outdoor therapeutic model, and plays a pivotal role in the life-changing experience for students at True North.  Guides work in teams of two to provide 24-hour supervision for a group of up to 7 students, ages 14-17 or 18-25.  Guides run the day to day – they facilitate team building activities, lead adventures, teach outdoor skills, and help students achieve treatment goals.  Integral to the treatment team, Guides work closely with Therapists and Field Directors to develop treatment plans and support students in their therapeutic journey.

Daily Activities:

A variety of activities abound at True North.  Guides need not be proficient in all of these things- just have a willingness to learn and engage the students in challenging themselves appropriately.   

  • Adventure: hiking, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, paddle-boarding cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and rock climbing.
  • Outdoor living skills: camping, fire-building, outdoor cooking, and map and compass navigation
  • Additional activities: games, art, yoga, cooking classes, disc golf, field and community service projects, and winter movie nights
Experience and Qualifications:
  • Minimum of 21 years of age
  • A four-year college degree is preferred
  • Comfortable in outdoor setting and be physically capable of backpacking with a 50-pound pack over rugged terrain
  • Guides must pass a physical exam, pre-employment urine drug test, state and federal background checks
Compensation:
  • Average starting pay is $1,719 per eight day shift
  • Benefits include; health insurance, SIMPLE IRA, opportunity to earn up to $450/year towards qualified health and wellness activities, and the opportunity to earn up to $600/year of student loan payment reimbursement.

Apply for a Guiding Position

A Closer Look

All-Gender Adolescent Therapist

Responsibilities Include:
  • Twice weekly individual therapy sessions with up to 7 adolescent students
  • Weekly update phone session with parents of up to 7 students
  • Collaboration with educational consultants and/or other professionals
  • Facilitation of group therapy with students
  • Support for families in letter writing/communication with the student
  • Participation in weekly clinical meeting, and ongoing collaboration/consultation with other members of student’s treatment team, including parent therapist, psychiatrist, and guides
  • Facilitation of regular guide trainings
  • Participation in on-call rotation for urgent situations
  • Assistance with student enrollments
  • Participation in student graduation ceremonies
  • Attendance at conferences, marketing events, and professional development opportunities
Experience & Qualifications:
  • Master’s degree or higher in mental health field, such as Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy
  • License preferred, will consider those working toward licensure
  • Experience in wilderness therapy as a guide, field staff, or therapist preferred
  • Experience working with adolescents in a mental health setting (other NATSAP program preferred)
  • Knowledgeable about gender nonconforming identities and expressions, and the assessment and treatment of gender dysphoria
  • Ability to recognize and diagnose co-existing mental health concerns and to distinguish these from gender dysphoria
  • Ability to work as a positive team member through ongoing collaboration with True North staff as well as outside professionals
  • Ability to drive to the field and hike to groups for sessions
  • Must be able to pass a physical exam, pre-employment urine drug test, state and federal background checks
Compensation:
  • Competitive salary depends on experience
  • Benefits include a Simple IRA with an employer match, health, dental, and vision insurance eligibility, extensive pro deals, paid time off, and a flexible schedule.

Apply for All-Gender Adolescent Therapist Position

A Closer Look

Therapist

Responsibilities Include:
  • Twice weekly individual therapy sessions with up to 7 students
  • Weekly update phone session with parents of up to 7 students
  • Collaboration with educational consultants and/or other professionals
  • Facilitation of group therapy with students
  • Support for families in letter writing/communication with the student
  • Participation in weekly clinical meeting, and ongoing collaboration/consultation with other members of student’s treatment team, including parent therapist, psychiatrist, and guides
  • Facilitation of regular guide trainings
  • Participation in on-call rotation for urgent situations
  • Assistance with student enrollments
  • Participation in student graduation ceremonies
  • Attendance at conferences, marketing events, and professional development opportunities
Experience & Qualifications:
  • Master’s degree or higher in mental health field, such as Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy
  • License preferred, will consider those working toward licensure
  • Experience in wilderness therapy as a guide, field staff, or therapist preferred
  • Experience working with adolescents or young adults in a mental health setting (other NATSAP program preferred)
  • Ability to work as a positive team member through ongoing collaboration with True North staff as well as outside professionals
  • Ability to drive to the field and hike to groups for sessions
  • Must be able to pass a physical exam, pre-employment urine drug test, state and federal background checks
Compensation:
  • Competitive salary depends on experience
  • Benefits include a Simple IRA with an employer match, health, dental, and vision insurance eligibility, extensive pro deals, paid time off, and a flexible schedule.

Apply for Therapist Position

A Closer Look

Adventure Coordinator



Responsibilities Include:
  • Lead students in adventure activities including, hiking, water sports (canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding), backcountry cooking, yoga, disc golf, mountain biking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.
  • Facilitate meaningful and intentional experiences with strong experiential education, support of therapeutic goals, and team building within the group
  • Plan adventure outings based on safety, skill level, and weather conditions
Experience & Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree 
  • WFA certification
  • Competency and leadership skills in adventure activities 
  • Certifications in any of the listed disciplines is preferred. 
  • A clean and valid driver’s license is required.
  • Must be able to pass a physical exam, pre-employment urine drug test, state and federal background checks
Compensation:
  • Competitive salary
  • Comprehensive Benefits include health, dental, vision, accident insurance, employee assistance program, SIMPLE IRA, access to an employee wellness fund, and opportunity for student loan payment reimbursement.

 

The work schedule will vary, and include non-traditional hours and days of the week.

Apply for Adventure Coordinator Position

 

CHECK OUT ADVENTURE COORDINATOR VIDEO ON YOUTUBE!

A Closer Look

True North Operations Support

red truck
Responsibilities Include:
  • Food packing and rationing
  • Gear outfitting
  • Transportation and facilities maintenance
Experience & Qualifications:
  • A clean and valid driver’s license is required.
  • Candidates must be willing to work weekends and occasional evenings.
  • Ability to work as a positive team member with True North staff
  • Must be able to pass a physical exam, pre-employment urine drug test, state and federal background checks
Compensation:
  • Competitive salary
  • Comprehensive Benefits include health, dental, vision and accident insurance, an employee assistance program, a Wellness Fund, student loan repayment reimbursement and a SIMPLE IRA

Apply for an Operations Support Position

Illustration of Outdoor Mountain Scene

 Contact Us

True North logo shield

 

PO Box 857 (mailing)
5354 Main Street
Waitsfield, VT 05673

Tel: 802.583.1144
Fax: 802.583.1104
[email protected]

From the Blog

CEU and Networking Event

True North Wilderness Program is looking forward to hosting a networking opportunity for professionals in the Northeastern United States.  The event will take place on March 24 from 9:00 AMmore »

Connect with Us

Skip to content