Aspiro Employment Opportunities

Call Stacy at 435 503 8417 sgarlick@aspiroadventure.com

Aspiro seeks individuals of all levels of skill and experience.  We currently employ people at all levels. (Intern, Guide1, Guide 2, Lead Guide, Master Guide 1, Master Guide 2, and Master Guide 3)   

In order to advance between levels, guides are required to pass off skills and obtain specific certifications.  As guides learn and progress through the GAP, Guide Advancement Program, they will receive periodic raises and can make up to $200 per day ($24,600 to $41,600 per year).

Interns: Start at $118.00 per day for the first 24 work days.  Interns are advanced to Guide 1 once they complete all GAP requirements.

Guide 1:  Ranges from $120.00 - $124.00 per day.  In order to advance from Guide 1 to Guide 2, employees must complete all GAP requirements including a minimum of 48 work days.

Guide 2: Ranges from $125.00 - $134.00 per day.  In order to advance from Guide 2 to Lead Guide, employees must complete all GAP requirements which includes having completed 96 work days and a 40 hour Wilderness First Responder course.

Lead Guide: Ranges from $135.00 - $144.00 per day.  At the Field Director's discretion, a one time $200 dollar bonus is given to Lead Guides who master the skills involved.

Master Guide 1/2/3: Ranges from $145.00 - $200.00 per day.  Advancement through these levels is based on the mastery of skills (both hard and soft), length of tenure and entrepreneurial ability.

Prior experience and education is recognized.  Benefits for those that qualify include full health and dental insurance, climbing gym membership and a variety of professional gear deals.  

Aspiro also provides training stipends for Wilderness First Responder courses, professional conferences, hard-skills workshops and other professional development.

Staff should be prepared for camping in the most extreme conditions.  Aspiro operates year round and runs itineraries from 4,000 ft. to 13,000 ft. in elevation.  As a result it is important to have the right gear.  Click Here to see a recommended gear list.

After a position has been extended to a guide they will be expected to attend a 6 day guide training. 

Prior to attending the training, they will be expected to read the Aspiro Guide Manual.

Aspiro guides are furthermore expected to attend, on a monthly bases, two days of training on their off weeks to learn new skills and build strong relationships with their coworkers.

What is an Adventure Therapy Guide and what do they do?

An Adventure Therapy Guide is a professional in outdoor recreation.  He/She is highly experienced in activities such as: rock climbing, biking, canoeing, rafting, backpacking, canyoneering, etc and safely teaches the skills involved in these activities to students.

What if I'm not a professional in outdoor recreation?  Can I still work at Aspiro?

Of course!  Don't worry if you currently don't have the skills to be a guide.  Staff training at Aspiro is hands on and constant.  You may not feel like a professional now, but through training and experience, you will develop the skills required to be a professional guide.

Job applicants are required to attend a 2 day staff tryout as a part of the applicant screening process.  This training is an opportunity for us to see some of your skills and abilities and for you to see if Aspiro is a good place for you. 

(For more information about new employee training, see the above section)

Once hired, staff that are not as skilled are paired with highly skilled staff that can train you in all aspects of outdoor recreation.

What is the difference between Wilderness Therapy and Adventure Therapy?

While the "class-room" is the same, the approach is quite different.  Wilderness Therapy uses a more primitive model, teaching skills like living off the land, bow-drill fire building, etc.  While these skills are important, they will most likely never be used.  Adventure Therapy expands this model. 

We teach our students how to have fun in the wilderness with the right gear so that they can go home and use the skills they have learned.  Acquiring skills is our hope for all students that come to Aspiro.  Through this process, students grow in self-efficacy (self confidence in succeeding).

How does learning outdoor skills help the students with their problems?

Each skill taught at Aspiro can be compared to real life skills that will help our students succeed.  For example, rock climbing and bouldering are great ways to teach, metaphorically, about overcoming "problems" in life. 

After each activity, Field Guides sit down with their group and process the activity; giving students an opportunity to see personal achievement and how they can improve.

What is a typical work week?

Guides work an 8 days on, 6 days off schedule.  The work week starts on Wednesday and ends the next Wednesday.  Each Wednesday, the on coming staff are trained and briefed on the groups they will be guiding that week while the students are preparing for the trip.

The rest of the week is spent running the itinerary (Rafting on the Green River, Backpacking in the Uintas, Rock Climbing on the Wasatch, etc).  The group then meets back on the following Wednesday to continue this rotation.

Do you provide paid internship opportunities?

Yes.  Internship pay starts at $118/day for the first 24 days of employment and then it is increased to $120.00/day.

Pay increases are based on the completion of GAP (Guide Advancement Program) requirements.