2026 Summer Coordinator

First Off... The Conundrum We Face Together

Apply only if you meet the qualifications below-or if, after some soul-searching and reading, you believe you truly grasp our philosophy. If you're confident you can learn fast and help us continually Do It Better, we want to hear from you.

Smart people know what they don't know. We value Jacks-of-all-trades, multidisciplinary learners, and autodidacts. This detailed job description isn't here to scare you off-it's here to start an honest conversation and help you succeed.

Second Off... This Process Should Matter to You

This may read like a manifesto, but it's simply our way of being real about what we do and why it matters. Keep reading if this resonates with you, or if you just enjoy our humor-or Dune references.

P.S. Full Qualifications & Responsibilities follow the manifesto.

Maybe This Is You

You're a Wilderness Educator-and maybe even a Stoic from the Hellenistic philosophical tradition. Above all, you're a Truly Helpful Human who understands how kids learn and is ready to push outdoor skills education even deeper. You evolve programs to always be Better, Faster, Stronger, keeping depth, integrity, and purpose at our core.

And you know what you're getting into. Trackers is a huge, complex organization-both an opportunity and a grand responsibility. You don't just want to understand your lane; you want to see how it fits into the greater Trackers Ecology. This part is crucial: we fight to keep them personal, meaningful, and deeply connected. That balance requires a curious mind willing to see beyond the day-to-day.

For this job to work, it must feel like a call to cation. You thrive on clockwork flow. You love it when a plan comes together. You wake up every day seeking intellectual and physical challenge. Hopefully, you need a place where deep connections between kids, families, and the natural world come together to create something bigger than any one individual.

What We Need!

We're looking for a Coordinator who ensures our camps and classes run smoothly-someone thoughtful, adaptable, and energized by a fast-paced environment. Before applying, consider the scale of what we do:

• Serving 20,000+ youth and adults annually
• Operating across the Bay Area, Seattle, and Portland
• Offering 45+ unique themes, from crafts to story adventures

Experience at any program scale is welcome-what matters is your self-awareness, confidence, and readiness to learn from 20+ years of best practices.

Here We Do Hard Things! Because... Grit.

At Trackers, we teach old-school outdoor skills. We offer award-winning youth and adult programs in wilderness survival, archery, fishing, homesteading, blacksmithing, and more. Our camps and classes are available as single-day sessions, week-long experiences, or 9-month mentoring programs. Our version of outdoor education can be challenging-but kids need it now more than ever. Our staff understands this: Here, we do hard things!

Because what we do is unique, Trackers programs can feel harder and more complex than typical camps. We transport kids from the city to the wilderness. We operate in all weather conditions. We teach skills that demand both physical and mental competency-and grit. Kids as young as 5 years old use woodcarving knives. We share skills many have forgotten-skills that might even scare others. We do hard things because we have to.

What is Tracking?

We're called Trackers Earth because the Art of Tracking is at our core. Tracking is more than following footprints-it's a way of seeing the world. It means mapping landscapes, recognizing patterns, and passing on survival knowledge. We teach kids and families to hunt, fish, and forage, building a deep connection to the land through caretaking and nature awareness.

That's what it means to be a Tracker.

The Four Guilds of Trackers

We divide our curriculum into Four Guilds because we know kids are inspired by fun stories.

• Rangers Guild: Rangers train to be ready through wilderness survival-crafting shelter, finding water, and building fire. They track animal trails to understand nature's patterns.
• Mariners Guild: Mariners flow with nature, exploring waters through fishing, boating, and river navigation. They learn wayfinding to journey well by land and water.
• Wilders Guild: Wilders are caretakers, stewarding the land through forestry, homesteading, and foraging. They tend ecosystems by gathering sustainably.
• Artisans Guild: Artisans connect the team, crafting tools through woodworking, ceramics, and blacksmithing. They blend story with skill, deepening our connection to the land.

What Our Parents Say!

BTW, our parents recently voted for our new motto: Trackers Earth-Giving Kids Knives Since 2004!

But we're Dune fans, so we're partial to: Trackers Earth-the Gom Jabbar of Camps.

Key Responsibilities

Sharing Trackers Skills

The most important responsibility is to share Trackers Skills. Your primary goal is to foster a culture of mentoring where kids and all students continually develop independence and self-direction in these skills. This growth helps them better care for and connect with:

• Family & Community
• Many Generations
• The More-Than-Human-World
• The Silent & Invisible

By Silent & Invisible, we mean teaching students to move with fantastic powers of stealth and invisibility, fully blending into the forest. This fosters awareness and comfort with silence, allowing them to find connection in nature.

Summer Camp Targets:

• Coordinate a team of educators (usually 4-10) during summer.
• Ensure high-quality, kickass summer camp programs for staff and campers.
• Provide real-time feedback and mentorship to the staff you supervise.
• Oversee daily summer camp operations, proactively addressing needs.

Make Camp Go:

• Ensure all programs prioritize safety, implementing and refining safety protocols.
• Oversee logistics and gear, ensuring seamless team accountability.
• Foster a culture of stewardship-for the land, students, guardians, and each other.
• Innovate on the Tracking & Four Guilds curriculum alongside founders and staff, recognizing that storytelling is one of the most powerful learning tools.

Communicate With Curiosity:

• Communicate to a high degree with families and staff, caring for them and sharing what Trackers is all about.
• Cultivate a culture of curiosity-insisting that everyone asks better questions to understand the innate ecology of our organization.
• Create systems that encourage people to get offline and back into the real world, fostering face-to-face collaboration, problem-solving, and brainstorming.
• When not sharing an office or teaching for the full day, make it a priority to call our global Director or Founders daily for a check-in, progressively building your understanding of Trackers Ecology.

Qualifications

At Trackers, we value guides who are not just instructors-but practitioners, learners, and contributors to a living culture of nature connection. We appreciate the Jack of All Trades and the autodidacts. Our team includes multi-disciplinary learners who pursue skills with rigor, humility, and curiosity. You don't have to be a master-but you do need to strive for and respect the depth of mastery, growing every season.

Experience:

• 2+ years of experience in outdoor education or camp leadership.
• Experience working with team-building, survival skills, or hands-on nature connection.
• Prior team leadership experience preferred (e.g., summer camp leadership, school-based programs, or outdoor guiding).
• Given the specialized nature of our programs, prior experience with Trackers is highly valued and will be a significant factor in candidate consideration.

Outdoor Skills:

You don't need to be an expert in every skill, but you must understand their depth and have a strong desire to grow. These represent the depth we seek:

• Bushcraft & Wilderness Living Skills: Long-term self-sufficiency.
• Animal Tracking & Nature Awareness: Trailing animals & knowing track & sign.
• Flintknapping & Stone Tools: Crafting cutting tools with traditional techniques.
• Primitive Technology: Hide tanning, natural fiber processing, bow-making.
• Wildcrafting & Foraging: Knowledge of sustainable harvesting of edible plants.
• Naturalist Skills: Classic naturalist training in wildlife, botanical & ecological studies.
• Shelter Building: Debris huts, lodges & other land-based survival shelters.
• Fire Making: Bow drill, hand drill, tool-based & fire-building in wet conditions.
• Bird Language & Stealth: Reading alarm calls as sign & moving invisibly.
• Fishing, Hunting & Trapping: Ethical harvest using modern and traditional methods.
• Field Archery & Bowmaking: Bowmaking & practical field archery for hunting.
• Navigation & Boating: Orienteering & traversing with watercraft.
• Forestry & Homesteading: Food production & regenerative caretaking for the land.
• Traditional Mentorship: Direct, long-term learning from experienced practitioners.

While modern outdoor education may introduce some of these skills, Trackers Earth operates differently-not better, just different. We have profound respect for the following fields, recognizing them as sister programs doing phenomenal work. While we share many aspects, don't view Trackers solely through their lens.

• Outdoor Recreation: Activities such as hiking, camping, and guiding that offer outdoor sports. While we integrate these skills, our curriculum goes beyond them to include forest craft, folk craft, and deep nature connection.
• Wilderness Therapy: Programs that use nature as a healing venue rather than for deep connection and community skill-building. These programs are invaluable and led by practitioners we deeply respect, but they are not our focus.
• Outdoor Education: General environmental science, ropes courses, team-building, and leadership training. While we share many components, our emphasis is on in-depth survival and foraging skills.
• Environmental Education: We value the impact of programs that emphasize advocacy or activism. However, Trackers teaches hands-on skills-hunting, fishing, and foraging-to help kids develop a deep care for the more-than-human world.
• STEAM Education: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math programs often approach nature through an academic lens. While we incorporate these elements, we prioritize experiential learning through outdoor skills and nature immersion.
• Forest Schools: Programs for young children centered on outdoor free play. This early nature connection is crucial, but our curriculum emphasizes skill development to foster broader outdoor independence for all ages.
• Summer Camps: We offer camps and deeply respect camp professionals who create incredible programs. While we share many structural and social aspects, our focus is on skills-driven, immersive learning through nature connection.

For a better understanding of our philosophy, explore the work of Tom Brown Jr., Ray Mears, and Jon Young.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in education, environmental sciences, or program management
• Or equivalent training from wilderness schools (e.g. Tracker School, Roots, BOSS, Rewild Portland, Twin Eagles, etc.)

Compensation

This is a salaried, exempt position with responsibilities requiring independent judgment, leadership, and planning-especially when working with minors and leading high-risk outdoor activities. Weekly pay is not tied to hours worked.

2026 Summer Season

• Seasonal Premium - Weekly Pay: $840-$1,056
• Typical Hours: 45-49 hours/week
• Base salary includes a guaranteed minimum of $840/week and a cap of $1,056/week, including all add-ons.
• Increases above the base rate are based on returning status and approved certifications-see chart below for add-on details.
• Certification bonuses are fixed weekly amounts, reviewed quarterly, and begin the first pay cycle after the next review. They are not retroactive.
• Certification bonuses apply only during active seasonal placement in programs.

Summer Training

• Required Training - First Year: June 6-7, 2026
• Required Training - Coordinators: June 8-12, 2026
• Training Rate: Hourly Local Minimum Wage
• All summer training hours-regardless of tenure or certification-are paid at hourly minimum wage.
• Certification bonuses do not apply during training weeks. Bonuses begin once staff are placed in active programs.

Note on Hours

Stated hour averages reflect the seasonal rhythm of Trackers Earth programs. As a salaried exempt role, compensation is fixed per week and not adjusted based on time worked. Actual hours may vary depending on program needs, weather, site logistics, and team responsibilities.

Mutual Fit Period

How to Apply

Apply early for best consideration. This application covers both school-year and summer roles. You can indicate your availability and interests. Not all applicants will be placed immediately-qualified candidates may be added to an on-deck list based on fit and timing. If you're a current summer staff member interested in working during the school year, please submit a separate application for Fall.

Mutual Fit Period

All new roles-including returning staff transitioning from summer to fall-begin with a 90-day mutual fit period. This allows time for training, feedback, and alignment, especially as school-year programs involve greater independence and long-term mentorship with students.

Physical Requirements & Certifications

This is a hands-on, active, and at times field-based role. As a Specialist Guide, your physical requirements will vary depending on your assigned program. Outdoor roles may require physical stamina in rugged environments, while classroom-based roles focus more on tool handling, shop safety, and materials management.

Physical Requirements - Outdoor Programs

(Examples: Bushcraft, Tracking, Forestry, Paddlesports, Rock Climbing)

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
• Hike 5-20 miles per day, including off-trail and uneven terrain
• Remain on feet for extended periods in variable weather conditions
• Move safely across natural landscapes such as forests, hills, and rivers

Physical Requirements - Classroom-Based Programs

(Examples: Ceramics, Woodworking)

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs (e.g., clay, lumber, tools)
• Stand or move between workstations for extended periods (3-5 hours)
• Use hand tools and equipment with fine motor coordination and precision
• Maintain awareness of shop safety protocols in active teaching environments
• Occasionally transport materials or equipment between locations

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Additional Requirements

• State Fishing License (if assisting with fishing activities)
• Background check and references
• Valid driver's license held for 2+ years

CDL Requirement - School Year & Adventure Camps

Coordinators in school year and summer transported programs are often responsible for driving large school buses between sites. When Coordinators for these programs lack a CDL with Passenger Endorsement, it creates added costs and logistical challenges for Trackers-including the need to hire extra drivers. For this reason, a CDL with Passenger Endorsement-or active progress toward one on an approved timeline-is a core requirement for the following roles:

• All School Year Coordinators
• All Summer Adventure Camp (transported) Coordinators

Eligibility Requirements

To operate Trackers Earth vehicles requiring a CDL, candidates must:

• Be 21 years of age or older
• Hold a valid U.S. driver's license
• Have a clean motor vehicle record (MVR) for the past 3 years, with no major violations (e.g. DUI, reckless driving, license suspension)

CDL Certification Timeline

If a candidate does not already possess the required CDL:

• It must be obtained within 4 months of hire
• Or no later than 30 days before the start of required staff training for the Summer Season.

Training & Support

Trackers Earth provides training and certification support for qualified candidates. We are committed to equitable access and can assist with the licensing process, including test preparation and cost reimbursement, where appropriate.

Personal Attributes:

• You want to make common sense common again.
• You might be a Dune fan and you're the Duncan Idaho of outdoor education (not required though).
• You have faith in kids' competence and remember what it's like to be one!

Disclaimer

This job description does not constitute a contract of employment. Employment with Trackers Earth is at-will. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

About Trackers

At Trackers, we help children feel like that group of kids wandering country backyards 50 years ago: tired, muddy, wet, independent, and happy from being out in the woods and exploring creeks. We are acutely aware of the real hazards of the outdoors, so we work to keep kids safe but not encapsulated from, nor phobic of nature. We believe children need to develop independence and competency in the wild-not only for their own connection, but also to contribute to their families, future generations, and the more-than-human world. We believe it is okay to be thirsty at times, cold at times, and wet at times. This builds empathy and care for the gifts of life, fostering true adventure and genuine accomplishment. We also believe it is critical for children to feel supported and cared for as they explore their passion for service and responsibility. Through a healthy life found in nature, they can test their limits and discover the great potential of the often untapped physical grit and emotional resilience they possess.

Pay Rates for Trackers Coordinators

Returning Staff & Certification Based Add-Ons

At Trackers Earth, we reward Coordinators for leadership, field experience, and advanced professional certifications. The following pay structure applies to salaried Coordinator roles.

Certification Pay Bumps

Coordinators can earn weekly pay increases for approved certifications. These bonuses are cumulative unless otherwise noted and apply only during active seasonal placement (not training weeks). For the Summer season, base pay begins at $840/week and is capped at $1,056/week. Certification bonuses are fixed weekly amounts, reviewed quarterly, and begin the first pay cycle following the review period. Bonuses are not retroactive.
CertificationPay BumpReturning Bonus (per 8 summer weeks worked, max 1 credit per season)+$10/weekWilderness First Aid (WFA)*+$10/weekUSA Archery or NASP Level 1 Instructor*+$10/weekCyberTracker Track & Sign (Level II or higher)+$10/week9-Month Wilderness Immersion Program+$10/weekFEMA ICS 100 & 200*+$10/weekTrackers Van & Trailer Driver Certification (21 years +)*+$10/weekACA Instructor - Level 1 or 2 (Canoe or Kayak)+$10/weekHunter's Safety Instructor Certification+$10/weekAMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI)+$10/weekLifeguard Certification with Waterfront Module+$10/weekFirst Responder (Past 8 Years) or U.S. Armed Forces Veteran+$10/weekState Teaching Certification (K-12, current or expired within 5 years)+$20/weekWilderness First Responder (WFR)*+$20/weekFirst Aid/CPR Instructor+$20/weekArchery Instructor Trainer (USA Archery or NASP)*+$20/weekSwiftwater Rescue Technician+$20/weekIncident Qualification Certification (Red Card)*+$20/weekCDL with Passenger Endorsement (large school bus-size vehicles)*+$100/week
*Stacking Rules (What Doesn't Combine)

Not all certification pay bumps can be combined. Some credentials cover the same or higher-level training, so only the larger bump applies.

• WFA does not stack with WFR . (If you hold WFR, the WFA bump does not apply.)
• ICS 100/200 does not stack with Red Card . (Red Card replaces the ICS bump.)
• USA Archery/NASP Level 1 does not stack with Archery Instructor Trainer (Trainer replaces Level 1).
• Trackers Van & Trailer Driver Certification does not stack with a CDL with Passenger Endorsement (CDL replaces Van/Trailer).

Other certifications listed above may stack if they are in distinct skill areas (e.g., Lifeguard + Swiftwater, Teaching Certification + WFR).

Certification Verification Requirement

See the Certification Pay Bump Addendum below for criteria of accepted certifications.

Quarterly Certification Review & Pay Updates

Trackers reviews and updates certification-based pay rates on a quarterly basis. At the end of each quarter, eligible staff will receive a form to report any new certifications they have acquired. To be considered for a pay bump, certifications must be submitted before the end of the quarter, include proper documentation, and are subject to HR approval. Approved certifications will be reflected in payroll starting with the first pay period of the following quarter. Pay increases are not retroactive and will only apply moving forward from the scheduled update. For short-term or seasonal-only roles, increases may not take effect unless returning for a future program.

Documentation must include:

• A copy of the official certificate or license
• Dates of completion and expiration (if applicable)
• Name of the issuing organization or agency

Certification Pay Bump Addendum

$10/week Certifications

Seasonal Longevity Pay Bump - Summer Only

• Coordinators earn a $10/week increase for every 8 full weeks worked during the summer season, up to one credit per summer. Key Details:
  • Applies only to weeks worked in Trackers summer programs
  • Maximum of one 8-week credit per summer, regardless of total weeks worked
  • Weeks may be across multiple roles or locations but still count as a single summer credit
  • Longevity bumps are cumulative across summers and applied to future seasons
• Example: A Coordinator works 10 weeks in their first summer. They receive one $10/week bump for future seasons. In their second summer, they work 8 more weeks and earn another $10/week, bringing their total longevity bump to $20/week by their third summer.

Wilderness First Aid (WFA)

• Minimum 16 hours
• Recognized providers: NOLS, WMA, SOLO, etc.
• Not stackable with WFR

USA Archery or NASP Level 1 Instructor

• Must be current and from a national program
• Includes range safety and youth instruction

CyberTracker Track & Sign (Level II or higher)

• Evaluation must be through a certified CyberTracker Evaluator
• Level II demonstrates solid field interpretation skills

9-Month Wilderness Immersion Program

• Must include one immersive weekend per month
• Includes bushcraft, tracking, survival, foraging, and mentoring
• Recognized programs:
  • Trackers Earth
  • Wilderness Awareness School (WA)
  • Earth Native School
  • Jack Mountain Bushcraft (ME)
  • Teaching Drum (WI)
  • Roots Vermont
  • Others reviewed upon request

FEMA ICS 100 & 200

• Free online through FEMA
• Covers incident response structure and leadership in emergencies
• Applies to all program sites for risk and communication clarity

Trackers Van Driver Certification (21 years +)

• Must be 21 or older
• Must complete Trackers internal driver safety and trailer towing training
• Certification covers safe operation of vans and utility trailers used for student transport and gear
• CDL not required
• Priority may be given in hiring and scheduling due to transportation responsibilities

American Canoe Association (ACA) Instructor - Level 1 or 2 (Canoe or Kayak)

• Must hold a current ACA instructor certification in canoeing or kayaking
• Certification must include water safety and rescue protocols
• Recognized for Guides leading paddle-based or waterfront programs

Hunter's Safety Instructor Certification

• Must be a certified Hunter Education Instructor through a state-recognized wildlife agency (e.g., Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)
• Includes firearm safety, ethical hunting practices, and field instruction for youth and adults
• Certification must be current and verifiable
• Recognized for Guides supporting archery, survival, and hunting heritage programs

AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI)

• Current certification through American Mountain Guides Association
• Valid for managing top-rope climbing and site-based instruction

Lifeguard Instructor with Waterfront Module

• Must be a certified Lifeguard Instructor authorized to train and certify others in:
  • Waterfront lifeguarding, including flatwater rescue scenarios (lakes, ponds, slow rivers)
• Through the American Red Cross, YMCA, or Ellis & Associates (E&A)
• Must maintain active instructor status with the certifying body
• Authorized to certify Trackers staff in waterfront lifeguarding; must register courses through the issuing organization and agree to instruct staff at their standard pay rate; participant certification fees handled through the certifying body

First Responder (Past 8 Years) or U.S. Armed Forces Veteran

• Applies to staff with documented experience as a U.S. military veteran (honorable or general discharge), regardless of discharge date
• Or: documented service within the past 8 years as a firefighter, EMT/paramedic, law enforcement officer, or Search & Rescue team member
• Experience must be verifiable. This bump recognizes leadership, resilience, and community service.

$20/week Certifications

State Teaching Certification

• Current or expired within the last 8 years
• Valid in any U.S. state for grades K-12
• Includes student teaching or supervised practicum
• Applies to General Ed, Special Ed, and subject-specific licensure

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)

• Minimum 70+ hours
• Recognized providers: NOLS, WMA, SOLO
• Includes trauma, evacuation, and backcountry decision-making

First Aid/CPR Instructor (Red Cross, HSI, or Equivalent)

• Must be a certified instructor through a recognized organization such as the American Red Cross, Health & Safety Institute (HSI/ASHI), or American Heart Association (AHA)
• Authorized to teach and certify Trackers staff in First Aid, CPR/AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) as required
• Instructor must maintain active certification and agree to train Trackers staff at their standard pay rate; course registration and participant certification fees are handled through the issuing organization

Archery Instructor Trainer (USA Archery or NASP)

• Must be a certified Instructor Trainer or Basic Instructor Trainer
• USA Archery: Level 2 or higher with instructor trainer endorsement
• NASP: Basic Archery Instructor Trainer (BAIT)
• Authorized to train and certify new instructors under official archery programs
• Must maintain active standing with the certifying organization
• Must maintain active standing and agree to provide instruction to Trackers staff at their regular hourly or salaried rate; course must be registered with the certifying organization.

Swiftwater Rescue Technician (SRT-1 or higher)

• Must hold current certification through a recognized provider (e.g., Rescue 3 International, ACA, or equivalent)
• Certification includes in-water rescue techniques, rope systems, and river hazard recognition
• Valid for Guides working in or near moving water, especially paddlecraft or overnight expedition programs
• Certification must be current and meet minimum field hour requirements

Incident Qualification Certification (Red Card)

• Must have held a valid Red Card within the past 10 years
• Must include:
  • Completion of required fire and ICS courses (S-130, S-190, L-180, ICS 100/200/700)
  • Successful Arduous Pack Test (45 lb pack, 3 miles in under 45 mins)
• Issued by a sponsoring agency (e.g., USFS, state fire agency)
• Not stackable with FEMA ICS 100 & 200

$100/week Certification

CDL with Passenger Endorsement (Large School Bus-Size Vehicles)

• Valid CDL with "P" or "S" endorsement
• Qualified to operate full-size school buses (does not require school-bus specific cert)
• Actively driving or on-call
• Must meet Trackers safety, MVR, and compliance standards