Do you have a passion for the wilderness? A belief in the power of human connection? A desire to work with young people? Then a position as a Field Mentor with may be the way to use your character to empower others. If you’re interested in joining our team, please read over our website and the information below before submitting your application. We look forward to connecting with you.
Sincerely,
Nate Andrew, Recruiter
Position Overview
Elements Overview
Elements serves adolescent males (13-17) as well as young adult clients (18 and up) who are struggling to live healthy independent lives. We work with our clients to use the strengths they already possess to identify & shift whatever is underlying their struggles. Mentors are critical in helping clients recognize what they do well, and where they have room to grow. Oftentimes, that is simply being present and asking the right questions.
As an organization, we strive to keep our focus on the client experience. That is why you’ll find us more accessible than many, providing excellent service, priced with integrity. Our clients spend their entire stay in the field. They participate in safe, well-designed adventure therapy activities that are an integral part of their therapeutic process. Their therapist visits them and their group in the field, becoming an active presence. They are treated with dignity regardless of whether they are a teen or an adult; challenged and empowered to be active and involved, not talked down to. They will be taught evidence-based treatment models and tools that they can take with them for the rest of their lives (e.g. DBT, mindfulness, yoga, and Seven Challenges).
What is the role of a Field Mentor?
Field Mentors will work with both our teen and adult populations. They are attuned to the needs of our clients. Mentors ensure an environment of physical and emotional safety through their outdoor living skills and compassion. Staff are role models for healthy relationships, appropriate boundaries, assertive communication, and meaningful confrontation. We look for those who are confident and passionate about these goals, and who bring with them a spirit of flexibility and creativity. In sum, Mentors are called upon to be a parent figure, an advisor, a teacher, a friend, a source of encouragement, and a keen listener. Our Mentors are NOT single-minded authoritarians, enforcers of a system of punishments-and-rewards, nor are they able to force a client to change.
Life as a Field Mentor
Mentors oversee and participate in small group living for 8 days at a time. They are primarily responsible for giving clients the tools they need to succeed at living in a challenging environment. Longer-term, staff are also encouraged to develop a deeper area of interest and specialty within the work (e.g. traditional primitive skills, substance abuse counseling, etc).
In a typical day or week, you can expect to:
- Hike over beautiful, rugged terrain.
- Take responsibility for client safety (e.g. ensure they are warm, dry, and hydrated).
- Cook on open flame.
- Play a game around the fire or in a field.
- Participate in a rappelling or rock-climbing session.
- Sleep on the ground under the stars.
- Lead a yoga or meditation session.
- Teach a lesson on family dynamics.
- Provide feedback for clients & peers alike.
- Be challenged to grow as person and as a professional
Field Area
In the summer months, Elements operates in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, northwest of our office in Huntington, UT. During the winter, we transition to the San Rafael Swell area of central Utah. This change in field area provides a variety of settings for staff and clients alike. You’ll get to experience mountains, canyons, ancient areas occupied by Native Americans, and rock expanses visited by outlaws of the wild west. Periodically, we will also explore new areas for our adventure programming, e.g. paddling on the Green River, snow-shoeing, or cross-country skiing in the winter.
How does the adventure programming work?
What does the off week look like?
When not in the field, Mentors have 6-days at a time free to rest, explore, play, socialize, and stay connected with friends & family. The schedule allows for ample time off to explore National Parks, climbing sites, and the mountain slopes of Utah and Colorado. Most Mentors find their home in Moab or Salt Lake City. However, staff may live (or roam) wherever they choose, so long as they are ready for work the morning they head into the field. To help ease the transition to and from the field, Traverse provides a room and access to a kitchen at our office for staff the night before or after a shift.
More Information on Wilderness Therapy
For anyone interested in reading more about life in wilderness therapy, we suggest checking out:
- The podcast Stories from the Field: Demystifying Wilderness Therapy. Our staff are featured in episodes 17, 44, 54, and 63.
- Shouting at the Sky: Troubled Teens and the Promise of the Wild by Gary Ferguson.
Qualifications
Minimum requirements:
- 20 years of age
- Current (at the time of training) medical certifications. Minimum of CPR (within the last year) & First Aid (WFR strongly preferred)
- High school diploma (bachelor’s degree preferred)
- Annual physical (ability to lift & carry a pack of 50+ lbs; hike over uneven, rugged terrain, etc)
- Pre-employment drug screening
- Beyond these requirements, we’re seeking Mentors who are genuinely excited about working with our clients and as a part of our team. Wilderness therapy requires a flexibility of spirit, determination, and commitment (from clients AND from staff). Our interview & training process will ask you to demonstrate these skills.
Compensation
- We are committed to the well-being of our clients and staff alike. We offer medical, dental and vision coverage with 75% of the plan paid for by Elements, providing excellent and affordable healthcare benefits for employees.
- We also know many staff are constantly on-the-go. We provide a shared room and access to a kitchen the night before and after your shift.
- Field Mentors can expect to make $37,000 to $39,000 a year (starting at $175/day), depending on their motivation and development. Mentors achieving Lead status and beyond will earn $46,000+ a year ($225/day).
- Field Mentors accrue two paid shifts off per year.
- Field staff have access to discounts through pro-deal agreements.
- Required trainings (e.g. yearly CPR, WFR) will be reimbursed by Elements.
Application Process
- To apply:
After reviewing your application materials, we will contact you about the possibility of setting up an interview.
3. Initial Training:
Our staff trainings are invitation-only. After completing interviews, we will invite select applicants. Unlike some programs, we only invite those we believe to have a strong chance at fitting in at Elements. That said, the training is itself also an assessment for us and you. We may decide to not offer a position at the end of training, or you may decide the work is not for you.
Upon offer of employment (you’ll know at the end of the training), we will schedule you for your first shift. You will be paid from Day 1, and be expected to contribute what you already know as well. After that, on-going training, feedback, and development opportunities will be provided.
FAQs
Q: How often do we hike?
A: Elements operates with a nomadic model that focuses on the simplicity of the wilderness and the benefits it provides. That means no cabins, no running water, no electricity. We sleep under tarps and the stars, on the ground. Staff and clients alike will typically hike 3-5 times a week, covering 1-5 miles a day.
Q: What adventure activities does Elements do?
A: In addition to hiking, we utilize a variety of adventure activities to foster engagement and growth in our clients. Both hiking and adventure activities are intentionally used to highlight common therapeutic themes: challenge, frustration, anxiety, pride, and commitment to name a few.
Depending on the time of year, we may be: climbing, rappelling, paddle-boarding, rafting, learning more advanced outdoor survival skills, doing low-ropes initiatives, or potentially mountain-biking or snow-shoeing. The vast majority of these activities happen within our field area, meaning we don't spend time simply transporting clients from place to place.
Q: What are the clients like? Why are they at Elements?
A: You can read more about the therapeutic work we do elsewhere on our site, but in summary our clients are struggling to live full and healthy lives. That may look like substance abuse, anxiety, depression, lack of drive, addiction, anger, or something else. Field Mentors teach our clients tools to better manage themselves and their relationships. We focus on addressing underlying issues pro-actively, rather than simply telling clients what not to do. Our groups operate continuously, meaning there are always more senior clients who take on leadership roles and help teach and coach newer clients. Therefore, we do not operate "trips," as our groups are constantly evolving.
Q: What does the relationship between therapist and Field Mentor look like?
A: Our therapists are out in the field with the group two days a week. They provide each client with individual sessions every week, and lead group therapy sessions each week as well. We believe strongly in the idea of the treatment team-- therapist, Field Mentor, and others working together to best serve our clients. Therefore, we have Mentors sit in on sessions, offering their observations of clients as well. Therapists provide direct feedback and coaching to staff in the field, and also periodically teach clinically-relevant topics to staff as well.
Q: Can I have my dog?
A: Yes! Elements recognizes the therapeutic value in appropriate pets. If you're interested in having your dog in the field, make sure to mention this in your application and you'll receive more information on the topic directly.
Q: What's a typical day look like?
A: Typical hardly ever describes wilderness therapy work. That said, having some routines can be therapeutically beneficial (and some routines are simply necessary as part of healthy, outdoor living). Staff and clients will start the morning with breakfast and often a meditation or yoga exercise. We'll pack up camp for the day, start the hike, and a client might facilitate a group at lunch time. In the afternoon, clients could have individual time to work on letters, assignments, read a book, and check in with their staff mentor. The evenings typically include time to practice outdoor skills (bow-drilling for fire, carving spoons, making leather pouches, etc) cooking dinner as a group and sharing a communal meal. There may be a conversation topic over dinner, and a campfire game before bed.
Q: What's the food like?
A: We focus on a healthy, balanced diet that serves the needs of an active, outdoor lifestyle. We're committed to food being a source of nourishment and learning, not undue stress. Breakfast may be granola, oatmeal, grits, cream-of-wheat, or breakfast burritos. Lunches include tortillas, trail mix, peanut butter, protein or granola bars, cheese, condiments, and tuna or chicken. We drop off fresh fruits and veggies every other day, so that clients and staff may eat well, without having to carry excess weight. Dinners may include: quinoa, pasta, rice, couscous, potatoes, beef, pork, chicken, cheese, spices, veggies, beans, etc. Teaching clients how to prepare and cook delicious, accessible meals is a field mentor responsibility. We drop off clean water for drinking and hygiene, and are never asking clients or staff to drink from treated 'cow-ponds'.