Prospective Staff

We have a 540 acre base camp in Thoreau, NM, about 2 hours west of Albuquerque. We are based at basecamp June through mid-August and spend the rest of the year working from our office in the North Valley of Albuquerque.

During our summer season, staff reside at basecamp in rustic, open air cabins or some choose to sleep in tents. The cabins do not have any electricity and are typically shared with at least one other person. When in Albuquerque, we have a bunkhouse available for staff to live in if they choose. The bunkhouse is very much a communal living situation and the staff living there must work together to keep the space clean and tidy. The bunkhouse is able to sleep 8 people in 2 bedrooms with a bathroom, kitchen, living space, and outdoor space. Limited storage space is available in the bunkhouse. Some staff elect to find their own housing in Albuquerque.

It can be challenging to live in community 24/7. Since we are an unplugged program, communication with friends and family back home can be challenging. We do have an office at our basecamp, but both internet and phone service are very limited. Letter writing remains the best method of communication. Additionally, our basecamp is a very rustic setting with open air cabins, no electricity, and pull string showers, which can be challenging for some. 

It is also a very rewarding job which allows for an outdoor lifestyle with a like-minded group of people. Our staff have the opportunity to explore the Southwest, spending nights out under the stars, and making meaningful connections with people of all different backgrounds.

All staff must maintain a CPR certification and obtain Wilderness First Aid, at a minimum, within the first year of employment. Higher levels of wilderness medicine certification are a plus. Some staff positions require specific certifications i.e. Bike Instructor Certification Program for the Mountain Bike Specialist. We can support staff in finding local courses to obtain certification.

Any interested applicant should start by completing our staff application, which can be found here. An interview will follow for anyone who completes an application.

At the beginning of the summer season, we provide at no cost a three week staff training which includes a WFA certification, training in risk management, behavioral challenges in youth, technical skills, and outdoor leadership.

If staff are starting in either the spring or fall, there is an intensive 3 day training, followed by several treks where they will be shadowing before moving into full staff roles. 

Additional professional development is available for staff involved in long-term roles (multiple years/6+ months) at Cottonwood Gulch.  This may be a free spot in a WFR course, an SPI certification, a marketing photography workshop, or attendance to a local or national conference.  Staff who receive this higher level of training are asked to bring their experience back to our larger team.

Every staff is expected to carry a daypack with them all the time. Your pack is essential to being able to care for yourself as well as your trekkers. Everyone’s needs vary slightly, though we encourage all staff to carry ~2 liter sized water bottles, rainlayer, warm layer, sunscreen, hat, headlamp, notebook and pen, and tools/props for programming (balls, rope, activity book etc.). Additionally, all staff should have a sleeping bag rated to at least 0 degrees for spring/fall staff and 20 degrees for summer staff, a sleeping pad (inflatable or foam), sturdy shoes, clothing suitable for outdoor living, work gloves.  Staff who work with backpacking programs are expected to have a 60+ liter pack and be comfortable carrying 50+ lbs as a backpacking instructor. Staff will receive a complete gear list upon hire. 

Typically during our spring and fall seasons, staff can expect to have weekends off. Occasionally we have programs that span a weekend, in which case, we schedule 2 days off for those staff as soon as possible after the trek is complete. If staff have particular days they are wanting to have off, it may not always be possible, but with at least a month of notice, we will try our best to accommodate. During our summer season, basecamp staff can expect 24 hours off approximately every 7-10 days. During time off, staff are responsible for coordinating their own transportation should they wish to leave the property. If staff wish to stay, they are welcome to join in for meals provided they help with community clean up.

1. Group of coworkers who are interesting, fun to work with, and are part of a passionate community. 
2. Making meaningful connections with people from many different places and backgrounds.
3. Getting to go to some “hidden gems” of the Southwest and doing cool stuff in amazing places.
4. Part of your job is facilitating mandatory fun times. 
5. Learning skills applicable in your own life and gaining resilience. 
6. Sharing your knowledge and passion with others. 
7. Being part of a staff team that is committed to sustainable, outdoor living. 
8. Getting to make a difference in the lives of young people.  
9. Countless number of desert sunsets, nights spent under the stars, and that smell of rain in the desert. 
10. Cottonwood Gulch is a different kind of outdoor education organization that isn’t just focused on wilderness adventure and personal development, but instead includes science, nature, art, and culture.