Explorer Chick Guides

We take guiding, adventure, and having fun very seriously. We cannot stress enough that you will not be on vacation—your Explorer Chicks will be. Yes, you’ll get to travel, but you will be working. It is your role to ensure your group has the best damn trip ever!

Passionate
Energetic, Explorer Chick-focused, and a hardworking person with a love for people, the outdoors, and growing with us.

Motivated
Explorer Chick Guides do not lead for free trips. When the going gets tough, Explorer Chick Guides are driven by positive sources that push them to be an exceptional leader for their group.

A Proven and Enthusiastic Leader
Capable of empathy, teaching, understanding of group dynamics, facilitating, coaching through challenges, effective communication, conversation, awareness of self and group needs, and a sense of humor.

Exceptionally Organized
Confident organizing large groups, detail-oriented, and competent working independently and remotely. Experienced with the logistics and details of trip planning. (Seeing the event through from A to Z).

Great with Interpersonal Skills
Knowledgeable of group dynamics to ensure the group as a whole has an epic adventure filled with growth, bonding, and fun. Guides will have the ability to know when it is appropriate to pull a woman aside for a private talk, give a woman some personal, quiet time, or even dismiss an individual from the trip.

Decisive and Calm
There will be highly unpredictable environments and circumstances. Explorer Chick Adventures are often at the mercy of the weather and group dynamics. Guides must be able to proactively solve problems and make quick decisions in a professional manner with limited support that maintains an exceptional experience for our Explorer Chicks (ex. wind storms, ripped tents, lightening storms, flooding, group pace, excursions cancellations, etc – these examples are just a few previous Explorer Chick experiences). Itineraries never go as planned.

Naturally Caring
Genuinely want the Explorer Chick experience to be the best it can be.

An Engaging Public Speaker
Strong, enthusiastic, and a cheerleader for the brand while engaging people with wit and charm.

Experienced in the Outdoors
Demonstrable expertise in wilderness first aid, trip planning and execution, adept risk management, crisis response, culinary proficiency including cooking, nutrition, and meal planning, proficient camp setup, and thorough adherence to Leave No Trace principles.

Physically Fit
Must meet the demands of the role. Not only do Explorer Chick Guides participate in all activities but they are often the first awake, last to bed, hiking extra miles, hauling gear, setting up camp, etc.

Social Media and Computer Savvy
Experience with Facebook and Instagram is essential.

Excited to Represent the Explorer Chick Brand
Guide our tribe of unruly, badass women!

Minimize Risk and Environmental Impact

At the same time, maximize learning and fun during your assignments.

Take Pride in your Role as a Guide

Share your unique personality and talents with Explorer Chicks. Continue to develop and hone your skills as an Explorer Chick Guide through personal travel, research, and training.

Complete Pre-Trip Tasks

Tasks vary with each adventure. These tasks may include, but are not limited to:

• Read and learn traveler details (allergies, medical needs, hobbies, etc).
• Confirm all third party bookings (Lodging, excursions, etc).
• Plan meals throughout the trip. Create shopping lists and purchase groceries.
• Communicate to Explorer Chicks pre-trip with introductions and last minute need to know details.
• Camp set up. Purchase any additional and necessary camp supplies.
• Plan route (driving, hiking, etc) including stops and timing for each.
• Research the destination learning about the culture, history, environment, folk lore, fauna, flora, etc.
• Familiarize yourself with the area including emergency services, ATM locations, grocery stores, coffee, optional excursions, etc.
• Pick up passenger van.
• Assemble and check necessary gear. Pack supplies.

Complete On-Trip Tasks

• Welcome Explorer Chicks to their Adventure with a speech and introduction. Educate Explorer Chicks on their upcoming adventure, our mission, and our brand. Break the ice with an introductory activity. Facilitate the creation of the Explorer Chick Adventure Agreement.
• Make and/or confirm reservations for dining, optional excursions, transportation, adventures, etc.
• Meal plan, shop, and prepare meals for your group when applicable.
• Log detailed notes in the trip report including changes, weather, performance of vendors, arising issues, and any other pertinent information.
• Maintain trip budget, manage funds, and retain receipts.
• Deliver a consistent high level of service to your Explorer Chicks.
• Work efficiently and effectively with a Co-guide when applicable. (Explorer Chick Adventures will have one or two Adventure guides based on the needs of the trip).
• Be the trip director, and when applicable the day-to-day guide and driver. Keep your group on schedule. Communicate and enforce departure times effectively.
• Collaborate with our third party vendors to ensure Explorer Chicks have an exceptional experience.
• Get to know and engage with the Explorer Chicks on an individual basis in a genuine manner. Everyone has a story, a passion, a talent. Learn them through authentic conversations. It’s incredibly rewarding!
• Be decisive on itinerary and plan changes. This is crucial! All of our adventures are unpredictable. You must be able to make decisions that benefit and are fair to the Explorer Chicks independent of management and support.
• Post to quality content to Social media and Instagram Story.
• Manage group dynamics to ensure the group as a whole has an epic adventure filled with growth, bonding, and fun. Understand when it is appropriate to pull a woman aside for a private talk, give a woman some personal, quiet time, or even dismiss an individual from the trip.

Complete Post Trip Tasks

• Clean camp and gear. Properly store for use on the next adventure. Inventory gear.
• Complete all trip reports and paperwork in a timely manner. Debriefing call with the office.
• Return passenger van.
• Report any issues to the Director of Operations.

• At a minimum: Wilderness First Aid, Adult CPR
• Preference is given to candidates with Wilderness First Responder level training. 
• Leave No Trace 101 certification.
• At least 2 years of experience in leadership, guiding, or verifiable outdoor skills. 
• Clean driving record. 
• Excellent physical condition.
• Legal to work in the United States. 
• Own a computer/tablet and a smartphone.
• Graduates of NOLS, International Guide Academy, similar tourism/outdoor leadership programs, and/or hospitality college degrees preferred.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we will only contact the women we select for interviews. Applications submitted by August 5th will be given full consideration. Explorer Chick’s hiring season for guides is in August and September for the upcoming year.

Following an initial interview, we may schedule further interviews with additional members of our team and invite you for a training trip. 

Please remember that we are a growing small business (Not a big-time Tour Operator, yet). You will be an employee, not a contractor. This is not full-time employment. Employment is not guaranteed for the year. Assignments will be intermittent and sporadic.

Explorer Chick is a virtual office with Dream Team members scattered throughout the world with our “World HQ” in Cincinnati, OH. You MUST be comfortable with communications via Slack and email. You must have a natural tendency to take initiative, achieve results, and generally GSD. You must understand and work well in a small business culture – aka get ready to take on a variety of tasks and responsibilities while enjoying the wild ride.

Lastly TEAMWORK really does make our dream work. Our team learns from each other, pitches in for some good ol’ fashion brainstorming, takes responsibility for her actions, and holds herself accountable to the rest of the Dream Team.

Please send your SKILLS BASED resume and cover letter with the position you are applying for to DreamJobs@explorerchick.com