Hiking Guide — Interpretive Naturalist
Part-time · Flexible hours · $22/hour + tips · Hawai’i
We lead small-group interpretive hikes for visitors from around the world. Our tours run three to six hours, seven days a week, with start times between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. This is a great fit for a student in natural resources or a related field who wants to spend their working hours outside, put coursework to real use, and get paid to talk about the landscape they’re already studying.
What you’ll do
Lead small groups on interpretive hikes of three to six hours, sharing the natural and cultural story of the landscape as you go. You’ll manage the pace, read the weather and the group, make the calls that keep everyone safe, and give people the kind of day they talk about when they get home.
You’ll also handle pre-hike briefings and gear checks, carry and manage group safety equipment, set up and serve lunch on longer tours, and make sure every guest gets back to the trailhead in good shape.
Who we’re looking for
A student — or recent graduate — in natural resources, environmental science, biology, botany, geology, or a related field. You should have genuine working knowledge in at least one of: natural history, geology, volcanology, ornithology, or botany, and be able to answer a guest’s question with substance — including an honest “I don’t know, let’s look at it.”
Physically capable. Comfortably hike 10 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation gain and descent, in all weather, while managing a group and carrying a 25–30 pound day pack.
Sound outdoor judgment. Route-finding, weather interpretation, pace management, group dynamics, and good decisions when conditions change. Formal guiding experience isn’t required — demonstrated backcountry experience is.
Good with people. You’ll spend your day with guests from all over the world, of varying fitness and experience. Patience, warmth, and professionalism matter as much as trail skills.
Wilderness First Aid. Required before you lead a group solo. If you don’t hold a current certification, you can complete an approved online course after hire.
Reliable transportation. You must have your own dependable vehicle and a valid driver’s license to get yourself to trailheads and meeting points on time.
Flexible availability. Hours vary with bookings. We run seven days a week and need guides who can work a mix of weekdays and weekends.
Nice to have
Wilderness First Responder or CPR certification, a second language, prior commercial guiding or field-work experience, or local-area knowledge.
What we offer
$22/hour, including one paid hour per tour for travel and setup. Tips are yours to keep. Scheduling built around your class schedule, paid training hikes before you solo, and field experience that goes straight onto a resume in this industry.
To apply: Tell us what you’re studying, where you’ve hiked, and what part of the natural world you most love explaining to people.
