Research Guide Position Description

Overview:

Global Treks and Adventures, LLC seeks an expedition guide who is passionate about experiential, place-based education in international settings. The position requires a creative, organized and flexible individual with strong interpersonal skills to work within a dynamic environment. Global Treks and Adventures seeks experienced, mature individuals to supervise, teach and mentor up to 12 undergraduate and graduate students throughout 1 – 2 week expeditions around the world while working collaboratively with their co-leader.

Guiding positions within Global Treks and Adventures are paid positions with potential for contract extensions each year. Each guide must implement organization programming, engage and expand students’ critical thinking skills while inspiring them to think outside the box and connect classroom-based skillsets to the field setting.

The progression of guides within the Global Treks and Adventures structure is as follows:

1. Guide Trainee

2. Assistant Guide

3. Head Guide

Leadership roles are designated by collaborative decisions between the Program Director and administrative team. Advancements in position are based on prior experience, in-the-field training, and job performance.

All guide positions report to the Program Director and Administrative team.

Specific Job Duties:

• Attend the pre-expedition training in Winona, MN, all meetings and post-expedition debrief

• Demonstrate and enforce all Global Treks and Adventures, LLC policies at all times. This includes avoiding consumption of any alcohol or other chemicals throughout the duration of student expeditions.

• Live overseas in shared accommodations for duration of expedition

• Participate in all expedition activities, workshops, meetings and meals

• Work individually with all students/clients to assist in areas of struggle

• Assist with all logistical duties to include, but not limited to: provisioning, transporting students throughout expedition, communicating with international contacts, coordinating several events on a daily basis, assisting with team meal preparation and execution, and assisting with research base upkeep

• Promote and practice all risk management practices at all times.

• Communicate effectively and respectfully with all co-leaders, program directors and administrative members at all times

• Pursue academic or experiential activities to complement and enhance field programming

• Support the mission, vision and values of Global Treks and Adventures, LLC

• Provide medical support within scope of practice, when needed

• Perform additional duties, as assigned and agreed upon

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced degree beyond Bachelor’s degree and/or field research experience

• CPR certification and advanced medical training, as follows, certified prior to expedition dates:

• Guide trainees and Assistant Guides: Wilderness Advanced First Aid

• Head Guide: Wilderness First Responder

• Group facilitation or teaching experience

• International travel experience, preferably in the expedition location

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Excellent problem-solving skills and effective conflict mediation strategies

• Professional or personal experience with outdoor activities (preferably in: hiking, sailing, swimming, snorkeling, GPS equipment use, camping and Leave No Trace mindset)

• A clean driving record and successful passing of a background check

• Physical Requirements: candidates will need to hike on uneven terrain in varied weather up to several miles daily carrying a daypack. Candidates will need to lift 15 – 25 pounds daily and hike with the added weight in their daypack.

In addition, Global Treks and Adventures seeks applicants who possess:

• At least one year of work experience in an experiential education and/or leadership position

• Facilitation skills and instincts for team-building, problem-solving, leading outdoor adventure activities, mentoring and student management

• Passion for working in an academically-minded adventure group

• A sense of humor and eagerness to role model the successful connections between working hard and having fun

Compensation:

• All international travel/room/board + compensation will be provided to/from all expedition locations

To Apply:

The ideal candidate will be available for a 1 – 2 month position commitment throughout the summer 2025 guiding season (May through July). Expeditions will be located in Iceland .

Please submit your letter of interest, résumé and references to Jen Herdina, Director at Herdina@Global-treks.com

In your letter, please highlight any facilitation and field research experience you have and outline what distinguishes you from other candidates.

Hiring Process and Timeline:

• Applications reviewed and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis

The essential responsibilities of this position are described under the headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. Also, this document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.

Employment will require the selected candidate to pass a background check. Global Treks does not sponsor work visas, thus, in compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify eligibility to work in the United States.

Global Treks and Adventures is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected Veterans to apply.