Employment FAQs

Where will I be working? Phoenix Outdoor operates in the Blue Ridge mountains of the Southeastern United States, primarily in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forest of Western North Carolina. The course areas are expansive stretches of timbered, mountainous terrain with established hiking trails throughout. Phoenix Outdoor maintains a base camp 30 minutes from Asheville, NC where instructors may leave their vehicles while in the field. A mild, temperate climate prevails in all locations; seasonal weather change exists yet rarely produces extremes in temperature. The Base Camp is within a three and one half hour drive from Atlanta, GA or 90 minutes from Knoxville, TN.

What are the Phoenix Outdoor students like? Phoenix Outdoor provides therapeutic wilderness experiences to adolescent girls and boys ages 13 to 17 years old. Parents place students at Phoenix Outdoor in a time of family crisis. Many struggle with drug and alcohol issues, behavioral problems at school and at home while some suffer from depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and a history of trauma. Other issues among Phoenix students may include the following: Attention-Deficit (& Hyperactivity) Disorder, poor impulse control, learning disabilities, body image issues, and anger management problems. We do not admit students with a history of physical or sexual violence; severe mental illness; or low IQ. Phoenix students are not adjudicated. Despite many of their struggles, Phoenix views its students through a lens of respect and compassion and believes that focusing on a student's strengths is an essential strategy in addressing their problems.

What are the goals of Phoenix Outdoor? Phoenix Outdoor is a program seeking to facilitate positive change in the lives of teens and their families. We are guided by extensive research and practical experience, which demonstrates the effectiveness of our design. Equally important, we are driven by our personal concern for teens and their families who are in crisis. Both our field and clinical departments use the wilderness as a classroom to teach valuable lessons. We do not seek to fundamentally change a student's character nor do we seek to punish students for their poor choices and destructive behavior. Instead, Phoenix provides compassionate and challenging therapeutic experiences to help our students and their families redirect their lives in a positive direction. We seek to provide parents an assessment of the student's issues so that a long-term plan for the student can be developed.

What is the process of becoming a Field Instructor? Interested applicants should first determine if they meet eligibility criteria by examining the "Qualifications" section of the employment page. The next step is to contact Phoenix Outdoor by phone, fax or e-mail to receive additional program information or address unanswered questions. Applications can be downloaded from this web site. After reviewing a candidate's application, resume, references and background, Phoenix will conduct an interview by phone. Qualified candidates who pass a background check will then be invited to participate in a paid training session provided by Phoenix. Those individuals who demonstrate the qualities necessary to successfully work with students will be offered a job with Phoenix Outdoor and will receive details relating to salary, time commitment, benefits, etc.

What does the training period involve? The training period is a one-week paid experience in which candidates will spend time backpacking throughout one of our various course areas with a group of other potential candidates. Field Directors, Head instructors and therapists within the Field and Clinical departments will teach trainees the structure of the Phoenix program, identify their role within the organization, and train candidates in such skills as outdoor leadership, adolescent development and the therapeutic process.

How do Field Instructors (Head Instructors & Field Instructors) schedules work? Phoenix Outdoors' Field Instructors work on an eight day on, six day off rotation. When you are on your week off, another Instructor team will be with your group of students. Upon your return, a "staff exchange" process takes place in which incoming instructors receive in-service training and briefings before heading into the field.

What opportunities exist for upward mobility within the organization? Phoenix Outdoor is dedicated to the growth and development of its Field Instructors and makes efforts to integrate their personal goals and objectives at the time of hire and as they evolve. Many of Phoenix's directors and therapists began their career as Field Instructors. For some Field Instructors, becoming a Head Instructor is a goal and Phoenix has a clear, measurable process to help individuals reach such a position. Similarly, Head Instructors may ultimately seek positions in management such as Field Director or have an interest in other departments such as admissions. Finally, Phoenix recognizes that for many, work as an instructor may lead to an interest in further studies in related fields such as Psychology, Social Work, and Education. Thus we are continually developing resources to facilitate such endeavors.

What are the environmental standards of Phoenix Outdoor? Phoenix Outdoor is a wilderness-based program, which works to exceed any and all environmental impact standards of the U.S. Forest Service and the outdoor education/wilderness therapy industry. We adhere to practices grounded in low-impact camping, striving to "leave no trace." Further, Phoenix has a longer term vision of what responsible environmental stewardship means and works with local organizations and community leaders to ensure the beautiful country we use will be pristine for generations to come.

Where can I live during my time off? Phoenix Outdoors' location and Field Instructor schedule allows for great flexibility in choosing where to live. Within three hours of Atlanta, Field Instructors typically live in and around Asheville, North Carolina or in neighboring states such as South Carolina, Georgia or Tennessee.