Position Title: Lead Guide
Employment Type: Temporary, Part-Time, Non-Exempt Employee – Variable/As-Needed Schedule
Pay Range: $45.00–$50.00 per hour
Reports To: Desert Institute Manager
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
Schedule: Variable and based on scheduled tours and program needs. This position does not have a guaranteed minimum number of hours per week. Work hours will vary based on scheduled tours and program needs, and there may be weeks when no hours are scheduled. Work assignments may include weekdays, weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings.45
Duration: This is a temporary position. Continued employment and the availability of work are dependent on program needs, scheduled tours, funding, and operational requirements.
Summary:
We are looking for qualified Guides to join the Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA) team. Guides serve as the primary representatives of JTNPA while leading private, custom, educational, and step-on bus tours throughout Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding desert. This position is responsible for creating engaging, educational, and memorable visitor experiences while ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.
Guides interpret the natural and cultural history of Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding desert by sharing information about the area’s geology, ecology, wildlife, plants, history, and cultural resources. Guides are expected to adapt to each tour to meet the interests, abilities, and needs of each group while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and customer service. This position requires frequent outdoor work in varying weather conditions and is not suitable for remote work.
Responsibilities and Duties:
Tour Leadership
1. Serve as the lead guide and representative for Joshua Tree National Park Association (JTNPA) during private, custom, educational, and step-on bus tours.
2. Provide engaging and accurate interpretation of Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding desert’s geology, ecology, wildlife, plants, history, and cultural resources.
3. Adapt tours to accommodate varying group interests, ages, physical abilities, and educational needs.
4. Create a welcoming, inclusive, and educational experience for all participants.
5. Practice and teach Leave No Trace principles during all programs.
6. Arrive on time, fully prepared to lead scheduled tours.
7. Maintain professional communication with JTNPA staff before and after tours.
8. Properly care for and return any organizational equipment, educational materials, or radios assigned for tours.
9. Complete tour debriefs and provide feedback following each assigned program.
10. Other duties as assigned.
Safety & Visitor Experience
1. Prioritize guest safety by monitoring weather conditions, trail conditions, wildlife activity, and participant well-being throughout each tour.
2. Recognize signs of heat-related illness or other emergencies and respond appropriately.
3. Modify or cancel tours when environmental or safety conditions require it.
4. Report accidents, injuries, emergencies, safety concerns, or unusual incidents to Desert Institute Manager as soon as possible and complete required incident reports.
5. Follow all JTNPA, Desert Institute, and National Park Service safety policies and procedures.
6. Use sound judgment while leading groups in outdoor environments.
7. Represent JTNPA in a professional, respectful, and positive manner always.
Qualifications:
● To perform successfully in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
● Experience leading guided hikes, interpretive programs, outdoor education programs, environmental education, or similar activities preferred.
● Strong knowledge of Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding desert, including its geology, plants, wildlife, ecology, history, and cultural resources, or willingness to complete required training.
● Excellent public speaking, communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills.
● Ability to confidently lead groups in outdoor environments.
● Familiarity with Leave No Trace principles is preferred.
● Current CPR certification required or ability to obtain prior to leading tours.
● Wilderness First Aid (WFA), California Naturalist (CA), or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification preferred but not required.
● Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment.
● Reliable transportation to tour meeting locations.
● Reliable access to email and a mobile phone for scheduling and communication.
● Must be available to work weekends, holidays, and occasional evenings.
● Willingness and ability to review, understand, and comply with all National Park Service regulations, JTNPA policies, and Desert Institute operational procedures.
● Excellent organizational skills, professionalism, and attention to detail.
Education and/or Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, geology, recreation, education, history, park management, or a related field preferred; or an equivalent combination of education, guiding experience, and demonstrated knowledge of Joshua Tree National Park and the surrounding desert.
Language Skills:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures, educational materials, safety protocols, and government regulations. Ability to effectively communicate information and respond to questions from guests, staff, and the public. Bilingual skills are beneficial but not required.
Certificates/Licenses/Registrations:
● Valid California Driver's License with a clean driving record and personal auto insurance required.
● Current CPR Certification required.
● Wilderness First Aid (WFA), California Naturalist (CA), or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification preferred but not required.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, hike, speak, hear, bend, kneel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must be able to comfortably hike a minimum of two miles over uneven desert terrain while carrying a backpack containing water, educational materials, and a personal first aid kit. The employee may occasionally lift and carry up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities include depth perception, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus while navigating outdoor environments.
Work is performed primarily outdoors in varying weather conditions, including extreme heat, wind, and uneven terrain.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position is primarily field based within Joshua Tree National Park and surrounding areas. Guides regularly work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including high temperatures, uneven terrain, and remote environments. Occasional work may be performed at JTNPA facilities for meetings, training, or tour preparation.
Travel throughout Joshua Tree National Park and surrounding communities is required based on tour assignments. Weekends, holidays, and evening work are expected depending on program schedules.
Joshua Tree National Park Association is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all people involved in JTNPA operations. JTNPA prohibits unlawful discrimination against any job applicant, employee, or unpaid intern by any employee of JTNPA, including supervisors and coworkers.
Pay: $45.00 - $50.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
