Working With Us

Learn More About Joining Our Awesome Team

Thanks For Your Interest In Working with Us

Devils Lake Climbing Guides is a professional rock climbing guide service and outdoor adventure school. We enjoy a talented, personable and inspiring staff who work hard to provide exceptional experiences for our clients. We teach and climb exclusively in single-pitch terrain, mostly in Devil’s Lake State Park.

Professional outdoor instruction is rich, rewarding and inspiring work. We count ourselves fortunate to work with such a high caliber of clients and peers, within the gorgeous natural resources of Devil’s Lake State Park. Our passion for climbing, teaching and the pursuit of excellence is the foundation of everything we do and create.

We appreciate your interest in learning more about us. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer; we consider all qualified applicants for employment and respond to each applicant.

Current Openings

We are accepting applications through February 29th, 2024 for the following full and part time positions for the 2024 season:

POSITION DAY RATE OVERNIGHT RATE START DATE* END DATE* PREREQUISITES
ROCK CLIMBING
Apprentice $130 $215 5/20 8/23 or later Belay proficiency, good attention to detail
Assistant $155 $255 5/20 8/23 or later Can build solid traditional climbing anchors
Lead Guide $200 $330 5/20 8/23 or later Previous outdoor climbing instruction experience. WFR & AMGA SPI certifications
OPERATIONS
Administrative Assistant $15 - $20/hr --- 4/1 9/30 or later Effective communicator, organized, self-starter

* If your availability does not meet our dates but is close, please inquire.

Please submit your application for our review and consideration.

Who We Hire

DLCG staff are known for our strong teaching, facilitation and interpersonal skills. We do not hire based on a candidate’s climbing or athletic ability, but rather based on their ability to provide clients with exceptional experiences.

Our ideal candidates bring a rich background in professional outdoor education, supplemented with extensive personal outdoor adventure experience. We sometimes hire folks who have not taught in the outdoors, but have taught in more traditional contexts while pursuing outdoor adventures as hobbies or part-time work. Younger applicants may not have extensive experience, but have clearly shown interest in, and taken steps towards, developing skills in outdoor pursuits.

Employment Application Process

  1. Thoroughly read over our General Employment Qualities, as well as the specific job description of interest.

  2. Complete our Employment Application no later than February 29th, 2024.

    A. Provide personal information.

    B. Respond to short-answer questions and record video introduction.

    C. Submit Outdoor/Climbing resumé.

    D. Submit documents for any certifications (AMGA, WFR, ACA, etc.)

  3. Interview in person or via video conference, or as otherwise arranged.

  4. Hiring decisions will be shared no later than April 1st, 2024. Offers may be made to strong applicants before the application deadline, so apply early for preference.

General Employment Qualities

In every role, we value staff who demonstrate:

  • Awareness of and respect for others’ time, emotions and needs

  • Timely response to communications via email, text & phone

  • Ease in relating to people of all backgrounds, ages and dispositions

  • Willingness to accept personal responsibility in preparing for work duties

  • Appreciation for and curiosity about natural and human history

  • Directness and brevity in communication

  • Willingness to ask thought-provoking questions to help others discover more about themselves

  • Tolerance for adverse and unpredictable work conditions and personalities

  • Ability to make tough decisions in novel situations, where info is incomplete and prior experience is lacking

  • Ability to see humor in trying experiences

  • Thoughtfulness regarding job duties

  • Professionalism, on and off the clock

  • Responsibility for actions & words

  • Intentional, attentive listening

  • Respect and admiration for beginning outdoors people exploring new experiences

  • Pride in their work

  • Positive, can-do attitude

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

  • Amazing, beautiful work environment

  • Independent work roles where you can exercise personal judgment and strongly influence the quality of your day

  • Discounted professional pricing from many industry retailers

  • Free training days and mentorship from experienced staff

  • Tuition reimbursement based on work volume

  • Flexible work schedule

PLEASE EXPECT

  • Early start to your work day (as early as 5 AM)

  • Gorgeous to difficult work conditions (heat, rain, snow, wind)

  • Irregular work schedule, including work days scheduled or canceled with little notice due to weather and/or client surprises

  • Clients and co-workers different from you in gender, race, beliefs, age, sexuality, ability

  • Regular feedback regarding job performance encouraging professional development

  • To be asked to reflect on your actions

New Hire Expectations

We require all new hires to meet minimum work qualifications. It is your responsibility to maintain any necessary certifications and learn local terrain.

We expect entry-level instructors to commit to a full season of employment (start date through October).

2024 Employment Application

Please review our application in its entirety before beginning, as you may wish to prepare answers separately, then copy them in as you go. If you are interrupted as you work (power outage, internet hiccup, surprise visit from Mom, etc.), having a “backup” of the longer answers in a separate document will save you time and frustration. Thanks and enjoy the process!

Administrative Assistant position:

Apprentice, Assistant, Lead and Teen Climbing Camp positions:

Devils Lake Climbing Guides is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.