Employment and other Opportunities
Wild Soul, is always seeking apprentices, volunteers, skill-sharers and those trained in eight shields!
We are currently hiring instructors for our school year programs. See full descriptions below.
We are currently hiring instructors for our school year programs. See full descriptions below.
To find out about our INSTRUCTOR TRAINING PROGRAM, go here.
Wild Tender/ Fox Walker Instructor
Position: Instructor for ages 7-12
Location: Durango, CO
Dates: September 2026 - June 2027
About Wild Soul
Wild Soul is a nature-based mentoring program rooted in the 8 Shields model and Coyote Mentoring philosophy. We provide immersive outdoor experiences that foster curiosity, resilience, and deep connection to the natural world.
Position Overview
We are hiring 1-2 Nature Connection Instructors to work at our 2 day weekly 7-12 year-old program.
This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a fully outdoor setting, engages deeply with children, is comfortable with facilitation of groups, brings specific skills or knowledge in our curriculum areas, and embodies the attributes of connection, curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning.
Key Responsibilities
Schedule & Compensation
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Location: Durango, CO
Dates: September 2026 - June 2027
About Wild Soul
Wild Soul is a nature-based mentoring program rooted in the 8 Shields model and Coyote Mentoring philosophy. We provide immersive outdoor experiences that foster curiosity, resilience, and deep connection to the natural world.
Position Overview
We are hiring 1-2 Nature Connection Instructors to work at our 2 day weekly 7-12 year-old program.
This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a fully outdoor setting, engages deeply with children, is comfortable with facilitation of groups, brings specific skills or knowledge in our curriculum areas, and embodies the attributes of connection, curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, prepare, and deliver engaging outdoor learning experiences.
- Facilitate games, storytelling, tracking, nature crafts, and core routines (sit spot, bird language, etc.).
- Ensure physical and emotional safety while fostering a culture of respect and adventure.
- Communicate effectively with students, parents, and staff.
- Model and teach wilderness awareness, survival skills, and nature connection practices.
- Support group dynamics, conflict resolution, and mentoring relationships.
- Contribute to student tracking and parent communication
- Help hold community events, seasonal celebrations, campouts and overnight experiences
- Participate in planning meetings, staff meetings, and staff trainings
Schedule & Compensation
- Hours: For Wild Tenders - Mondays & Wednesdays, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM (Sept-June), for Fox Walkers - 1 Saturday/month, 9:30AM - 4:00 PM (Sept-June), for both positions - planning time, staff meetings, and events.
- Compensation:
- $22-$28/hr (commensurate with experience)
- Benefits: Paid sick time accrual, professional development, gear discounts, and a deeply connected learning community.
Required Qualifications:
- Experience mentoring youth outdoors in a play-based, experiential setting.
- Deep knowledge in at least four of our core curriculum areas (e.g., wildlife tracking, edible plants, fire skills, survival techniques, etc.).
- Strong communication and group facilitation skills.
- Wilderness First Aid & CPR certification (or willingness to obtain).
- Physical ability to run, crawl, carry a 40lb backpack, and be outdoors in all weather conditions.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Training/experience in 8 Shields/Coyote Mentoring.
- Knowledge of Southwest ecology and Indigenous cultural awareness.
- Additional skills in music, art, storytelling, or crafts.
How to Apply: Send a resume and a brief cover letter detailing your experience and which program(s) you are interested in to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Earth Walkers Instructor (teen Program)
Position: Instructor for our monthly teen program (13-15)
Location: Durango, CO
Dates: September 2026 - June 2027
About Wild Soul
Wild Soul is a nature-based mentoring program rooted in the 8 Shields model and Coyote Mentoring philosophy. We provide immersive outdoor experiences that foster curiosity, resilience, and deep connection to the natural world.
Position Overview
We are hiring a Nature Connection Instructor to work at our 1 Saturday/month 13-15 year-old program.
This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a fully outdoor setting, engages deeply with teens, is comfortable with facilitation of groups, brings specific skills or knowledge in our curriculum areas, and embodies the attributes of connection, curiosity, and enthusiasm for both learning and meeting teens where they are socially & developmentally.
Key Responsibilities
Schedule & Compensation
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
How to Apply
Send a resume and a brief cover letter detailing your experience and interest in this (or additional) role(s) to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Location: Durango, CO
Dates: September 2026 - June 2027
About Wild Soul
Wild Soul is a nature-based mentoring program rooted in the 8 Shields model and Coyote Mentoring philosophy. We provide immersive outdoor experiences that foster curiosity, resilience, and deep connection to the natural world.
Position Overview
We are hiring a Nature Connection Instructor to work at our 1 Saturday/month 13-15 year-old program.
This position is ideal for someone who thrives in a fully outdoor setting, engages deeply with teens, is comfortable with facilitation of groups, brings specific skills or knowledge in our curriculum areas, and embodies the attributes of connection, curiosity, and enthusiasm for both learning and meeting teens where they are socially & developmentally.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan, prepare, and deliver engaging outdoor learning experiences.
- Facilitate games, storytelling, nature crafts, and core routines (sit spot, bird language, tracking, etc.).
- Hold and appropriately participate in Talking Circles.
- Collaborate in holding Culminating Experiences, major thresholds, and/or Rites of Passage for participants.
- Ensure physical and emotional safety while fostering a culture of respect and adventure.
- Communicate effectively with students, parents, and staff.
- Model and teach wilderness awareness, survival skills, and nature connection practices.
- Support group dynamics, conflict resolution, and mentoring relationships.
- Contribute to student tracking and parent communication
- Help hold community events, seasonal celebrations, campouts and overnight experiences
- Participate in planning meetings, staff meetings, and staff trainings
Schedule & Compensation
- Hours: 1 Saturday/month, 9:30AM - 5:00 PM (Sept-June), plus planning time, staff meetings, and events.
- Compensation:
- $22-$28/hr (commensurate with experience)
- Benefits: Paid sick time accrual, professional development, gear discounts, and a deeply connected learning community.
Required Qualifications:
- Experience mentoring youth, preferably teens, in an outdoor, experiential setting.
- Deep knowledge in at least four of our core curriculum areas (e.g., wildlife tracking, edible plants, fire skills, survival techniques, etc.).
- Strong communication and group facilitation skills.
- Wilderness First Aid & CPR certification (or willingness to obtain).
- Physical ability to run, crawl, carry a 40lb backpack, ascend steep bushwhacking slopes (not ropes climbing), and be outdoors in all weather conditions.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Training/experience in 8 Shields/Coyote Mentoring.
- Knowledge of Southwest ecology and Indigenous cultural awareness.
- Additional skills in music, art, storytelling, or crafts.
How to Apply
Send a resume and a brief cover letter detailing your experience and interest in this (or additional) role(s) to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Instructor Training Program
September 2026 - June 2027 | Durango, Colorado
Program Overview & Logistics
The Wild Soul Instructor Training Program is a 10-month immersive learning journey for adults who want to deepen their own connection with nature while developing powerful mentoring skills and learning how to hold space for transformative outdoor experiences with children in the eight-shields/coyote mentoring approach. Apprentices will join one or more of our programs for the 2026-2027 school year, observing our instructors, gaining direct experience with kids and/or teens and building skills as a facilitator. Additionally, participants will take part in one-on-one or small group mentorship and training with our highly skilled and experienced program director and mentors.
Hours: TBD, based on program participation and availability
Location: Durango, Colorado
Spots available: 3
Who This Is For
The instructor training program is designed for adults (18+) who feel called to work with youth in nature and want to grow as individuals, mentors, leaders, and community builders. Ideal candidates are:
We especially welcome applicants with experience or interest in our core curriculum areas and 8 Shields mentoring.
What You’ll Learn
Through direct experience, mentoring, and weekly integration, trainees will develop both hard and soft skills essential to nature-based leadership. Training includes:
Participants will work closely with experienced mentors and be given increasing levels of leadership and responsibility over the course of the year. By the end of the program, trainees will be prepared to step into the role of mentor and instructor, with many dynamic tools for facilitating groups and/or working with individual children in a meaningful and powerful way.
Weekly Program Schedule & Time Commitment
Commitment to the program includes:
Program Overview & Logistics
The Wild Soul Instructor Training Program is a 10-month immersive learning journey for adults who want to deepen their own connection with nature while developing powerful mentoring skills and learning how to hold space for transformative outdoor experiences with children in the eight-shields/coyote mentoring approach. Apprentices will join one or more of our programs for the 2026-2027 school year, observing our instructors, gaining direct experience with kids and/or teens and building skills as a facilitator. Additionally, participants will take part in one-on-one or small group mentorship and training with our highly skilled and experienced program director and mentors.
Hours: TBD, based on program participation and availability
Location: Durango, Colorado
Spots available: 3
Who This Is For
The instructor training program is designed for adults (18+) who feel called to work with youth in nature and want to grow as individuals, mentors, leaders, and community builders. Ideal candidates are:
- Curious, reliable, and open-hearted
- Actively on their own nature connection journey
- Excited to learn in a hands-on, experiential environment
- Interested in outdoor education, group facilitation, and regenerative living
- Familiar with—or eager to learn—naturalist skills, storytelling, animal tracking, bushcraft, and singing
We especially welcome applicants with experience or interest in our core curriculum areas and 8 Shields mentoring.
What You’ll Learn
Through direct experience, mentoring, and weekly integration, trainees will develop both hard and soft skills essential to nature-based leadership. Training includes:
- 8 Shields/Coyote Mentoring and nature-based programming
- Facilitating connective, collaborative and respectful learning spaces
- Designing and leading seasonal curriculum
- Bird language, tracking, survival skills, nature-based games and songs
- Supporting physical and emotional needs through somatic integration and nervous system regulation
- Positive, supportive and relationship-building approaches to discipline
- Supporting healthy risk-taking and safety awareness
- Rites of passage and creating culture and community
Participants will work closely with experienced mentors and be given increasing levels of leadership and responsibility over the course of the year. By the end of the program, trainees will be prepared to step into the role of mentor and instructor, with many dynamic tools for facilitating groups and/or working with individual children in a meaningful and powerful way.
Weekly Program Schedule & Time Commitment
Commitment to the program includes:
- Weekly program time, pre-program planning, and post-program debrief meetings
- Weekly planning/mentoring meeting: 1 hour per week (time TBD)
- Participation in community events and seasonal celebrations as part of the broader Wild Soul community
- Participation in trainings and mentorship meetings, individually or as a small group
To apply
Please send a letter of interest with some information about your background and what draws you to this program, as well as a resume to us at: [email protected]
Please send a letter of interest with some information about your background and what draws you to this program, as well as a resume to us at: [email protected]
Skill-sharers and elders
If you have a skill or something to share with our community please let us know! We are always interested in connecting with community members who can enrich our program. You can send us an email here and let us know how you're interested in becoming involved.
