10 Entry Level, Outdoor Jobs
Starting your outdoor career as a new graduate is intimidating. There are dozens of entry level jobs for environmental studies and environmental science majors. Many of these positions are seasonal and allow you to be outdoors all day, every day! Entry level jobs give you the opportunity to live in amazing locations, gain applicable skills to advance your career, and fuel your love of adventure!
Several of these jobs can be found on through the Career Outdoors email newsletter, Conservation Job Board, and the Texas A&M Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences job board.
If you want even more variety, you can snag The Ultimate List of Outdoor Job Boards. It’s a list I’ve curated over 5 years of working in the outdoor space and helping thousands of people land jobs in this industry, too! It includes 60+ of the best industry specific job boards, completely categorized and color-coded by sector. Most importantly, these are job boards that employers are actually using to find qualified candidates!
Entry Level Environmental Jobs
Conservation Corps (Leader or Member) - Many corps positions have an AmeriCorps component, meaning you’ll earn an education award at the end of your service term to be used towards further education or student loans. This is why the compensation for these positions hovers around minimum wage. Conservation corps work is my favorite path for entry level candidates to start their careers in conservation and land management. These positions teach you a wide range of skills within just a few months. Hot Tip: Stretch your dollar by finding a corps that provides housing!
Corps jobs are great summer jobs for college students and high school graduates, as well. Check out the Conservation Corps Camping Checklist when you land your first corps position!
Land Steward - Stewardship jobs can be the perfect jumpstart to a career in land, water, or property management. Some background knowledge of construction, tool use, or land management may be required for this entry level position. But, it is still considered a beginner positions because most of the skills needed can be mastered on your own!
Research Technician - Search for a “Technician” job title when starting a career in the sciences, research, or engineering. These positions often require a Bachelor’s degree and can be quite competitive. To further your chances as a candidate, you should volunteer, intern, or take on a research assistantship during (or directly after) you earn your degree.
Leadership & Outdoor Education Jobs
Camp Counselor - Whether you’re hoping to segue into outdoor education, recreation, or hone your leadership skills, starting your career as a camp counselor is extremely rewarding. It’s important that you find the camp that aligns with your values — some prioritize wilderness survival skills while others provide opportunities for an array of outdoor sports. Additionally, many camps hire young people in high school and college to for summer seasonal work. This way, you can start gaining important career skills years before the competition!
Adventure Guide - Do you want to spend your days leading others through beautiful locations while doing something you love? Nearly every outdoor sport has guiding positions — river rafting, backpacking, surfing, climbing, snowmobiling…the list goes on and on! Adventure guide positions prioritize skill in the sport at hand, outdoor safety knowledge, and customer service skills. It’s common for outdoor enthusiasts to make a career out of guiding in various parts of the USA and world. The majority of guide jobs don’t require a college degree - check out our favorite Outdoor Jobs that Don’t Require a Degree for more.
Naturalist - Naturalists take on various roles depending on the location and employer. In general, a Naturalist is similar to an outdoor education role. It can include teaching youth, facilitating tours, or tending to wildlife or plants. Candidates for this role should have experience in teamwork, communicating with the public, and leadership.
Snowboard or Ski Instructor - Many winter, outdoor positions are seasonal, too! An Instructor position will perfectly compliment an outdoor education career path as it allows you to continue teaching, working with youth, and prioritizing outdoor safety. Aside from that, it’s simply a wonderful and fulfilling way to spend your winters in the snow!
More Outdoor Jobs for Beginners
Parks Maintenance Worker - Want to work for a land management agency? Working for your local parks department or conservation district is a great way to get hands-on experience while spending your summer outside. Showcase your excitement for hands-on work and teamwork when applying for these local positions!
Associate or Assistant: The title of “associate” or “assistant” is popular among entry level jobs. These roles are incredible learning opportunities! You may be helping with day-to-day lessons as an Assistant Youth Educator or learn the ins-and-outs of an advocacy nonprofit as a Campaign Associate. Highlight your eagerness to learn when applying for these entry level roles.
Visitor Services: This is a common title for roles at federal and state land management agencies. These positions are typically customer service or interpretation roles, but are a great stepping stone into other sectors. If you want to land a Visitor Services job, make sure that you highlight your experience in conflict mediation, customer service, and communicating with the public.
These are just a few of our favorite entry level positions in the outdoor world. Starting a new career from scratch can feel scary and nerve-wrecking, but the most important thing is that you START! You don’t need years of experience under your belt or a showy resume full of outdoor achievements. Instead, you need to simply start with what you have, right now.
You got this.
