Position Details
Position Information
Department Earth, Ocean & Atmo Sci (OAS)
Position Title Academic Wage Appt - Hourly
Job Title Academic Wage: Inspiring Girls Field Instructor
Appointment Type Academic Wage
Job Location Various Locations
Benefits Eligible Not benefits eligible
Remote or Hybrid option?
Job Summary
The College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences is seeking an Academic Wage: Inspiring Girls Field Instructor. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE ), 12-month, position. This position is expected to last one month with locations in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska.
These positions will provide non-credit instruction for Inspiring Girls Expeditions. Inspiring Girls Expeditions empowers young women to lead and succeed through science, art, and wilderness exploration through multi-day wilderness science education programs in Washington, Alaska, Canada, and Switzerland.
The instructors will plan and carry out all aspects of one field expedition in Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. The expeditions are 12 days long, with an additional week before for scouting and preparation and an additional 2 days after for closure activities. Instructors are expected to participate in training; review and contribute to curriculum; risk management; and logistics modifications as needed; and teach and lead the expedition.
All Inspiring Girls instructors are professionals in their field (and either working professionals or PhD students or post docs); they bring special expertise and experience, and will work together with other graduate students, post docs, faculty as well as some undergrads to make these expeditions successful.
Instructor teams are typically 3 experienced instructors and one "instructor in training." The instructor team must have a combined expertise to ensure the expedition's safety, scientific artistic educational rigor, and youth mentorship. Therefore, the instructor teams must be created with care and thought to each individual's area of expertise and experience.
Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!
Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don't wait for challenges to present themselves - we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.
FACTS :
-Top 1.4% university in the world
-More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
-1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
-2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
-7cultural resource centers (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/work-life/diversity-and-cultural-resources) that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
-100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
-35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
-217k+ alumni worldwide
-For more interesting facts about OSU visit:https://oregonstate.edu/about
Locations:
Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.
Oregon State's beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America's best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.
Total Rewards Package:
Oregon State University offers acomprehensive benefits package (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/prospective-employee) with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
-Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
-Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
-Retirement savings paid by the university.
-A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
-Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
-Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
-Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.
Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU's safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.
2025 Best Place for Working Parents® Designation! (https://bestplace4workingparents.com/policies/)
Future and current OSU employees can use theBenefits Calculator (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/new-employees/benefits-calculator) to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU .
Key Responsibilities
75% - Work on a team to successfully lead a 12-day expedition for 9 young women from a variety of backgrounds, identities, perspectives, and lived experiences. Utilize mountaineering and teaching skills, wilderness living, and scientific or risk management expertise. Plan and carry out all aspects of a successful expedition including curriculum, itinerary, gear, food, and risk management. Drive OSU Motor Pool, College/university-owned, and/or personal vehicles to transport participants, gear, and food between campus and field sites.
15% - Participate in a pre-expedition scouting trip.
5% - Recruit, schedule, and host guest instructors.
5% - Maintain proper training and certification as a Wilderness First Responder ( WFR ).
What You Will Need
Bachelor's degree from an accredited university and one year of work experience in science or teaching.
Must have a working knowledge of the philosophy and methods of Inspiring Girls Expeditions.
Must obtain Inspiring Girls Expeditions Instructor certification(s) as required by Inspiring Girls Program by start date.
Must obtain appropriate wilderness medical training certifications(s) as required by Inspiring Girls Program by start date.
A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing inclusive excellence in the science, outdoor exploration, and related communities.
Ability to successfully engage with a broad and diverse population in a culturally responsible manner.
A commitment to collaborative and respectful learning and working environments that are safe, inclusive, and welcoming.
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.
What We Would Like You to Have
Master's degree (or current enrollment in a graduate program) in earth, marine science, or related field
Experience teaching earth science, marine science, or wilderness leadership in a field setting for youth.
Experience as a professional working scientist in earth, marine science, or related field.
Experience as a professional working artist or current enrollment in an MFA program.
Experience as a professional working wilderness alpine or kayaking guide.
Training and/or certification for International Federation of Mountain Guides ( IFMGA )/American Mountain Guide Association ( AMGA Alpine Guide)/American Canoe Association ( ACA Kayak Instructor Level 2) guiding certifications.
Experience working within Inspiring Girls Expeditions or other relevant field science and wilderness educational environment.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
The majority of the work (75%+) takes place outside in elevated, mountainous terrain, along rivers, or in coastal ocean environments. Instructors must have physical ability appropriate for the specific expedition (for example, for Girls on Ice, they must be able to carry 40-50 pound backpacks over uneven, rocky, and/or snowy terrain for up to 8 miles per day; for Girls in Icy Fjords, they must be able to swim, paddle a kayak for up to 8 hours a day, and carry 20-30 pound day packs). Instructors will be working in a remote field environment for 12 days, with limited time off and requiring wilderness living. The week before and two days after, instructors will be active part time in Corvallis, Seattle, Seward or in the field for preparation or planning activities.
Pay Method Salary
Pay Period 1st through the last day of the month
Pay Date Last working day of the month
Recommended Full-Time Salary Range $25.00 - $31.25
Link to Position Description
https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/179523
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number P09886UF
Number of Vacancies 1-2
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 07/20/2026
Anticipated Appointment End Date 08/20/2026
Posting Date 04/30/2026
Full Consideration Date
Closing Date 05/14/2026
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / External - open to ALL qualified applicants
Special Instructions to Applicants
When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
1) A resume/CV; and
2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.
3) Other Document 1- Upload your answers to the following questions:
Please state clearly specify how you meet or exceedeachof the minimum qualifications for this position. Please provide details, including dates for obtaining necessary certification if you don't already have them.
Please provide information on how your background meetseachof our preferred qualifications if applicable.
Please provide a list of wilderness/remote expeditions you have led (dates, location, group size, age range for participants) and identify the scope of your leadership. This can include private/personal expeditions in which you had a significant leadership role.
You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.
For additional information please contact: Erin Pettit at pettiter@oregonstate.edu
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.
OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.
Starting salary within the salary range will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.
OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has "critical or security-sensitive" responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at ourBackground Checks (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/background-checks) website including thefor candidates (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/candidates) section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU's Employee and Labor Relations team atemployee.relations@oregonstate.edu.
Supplemental Questions
Read More at: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/179717
OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
