Backroads Leaders
CAMP ASSISTANT POSITIONS: THE 2008 JOB DESCRIPTION, HIRING, AND TRAINING PROCESS
About Backroads
Backroads is an innovative active travel company that offers more biking, walking, and multi-sport trips in more locations worldwide than any other company in the industry. Since 1979, we have been sending our guests on exciting, luxurious, and rewarding vacations, and we do so with an exceptional crew of Trip Leaders supported by Camp Assistants on our camping trips.
The foundation of our extraordinary guest experience is legendary service—and we go so far as to guarantee the quality of our trips. We're looking for Camp Assistants who can do a world-class job with style and professionalism. We will start interviews as early as March, and train Camp Assistants in Salt Lake City, Utah or Canmore, Alberta during May and June. Backroads receives many more applications each year than we have positions to fill. It is to your advantage to submit your application as soon as possible. We will interview people on a first come first served basis.
Please read through the following for more general information about the Camp Assistant job at Backroads.
CAMP ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION
Requirements
The following list of qualifications serves as our guide for exceptional Camp Assistant candidates. You’ll see that we have very high expectations of our Camp Assistants—so do our guests! Do your skills, experiences, and aptitudes enable you to answer “yes” to most of the questions below?
- Are you committed to delivering the highest level of quality and service to our guests and leaders?
- Are you good at anticipating and solving challenging problems independently and as part of a team?
- Are you comfortable working long hours and doing very physically challenging work?
- Are you happy working in the outdoors and camping?
- Do you have a valid driver’s license, are over 19 years of age and a resident of Canada or the US?
Basic Skills
Although the customer service you provide to support our Trip Leaders and guests is the core of being a successful Camp Assistant, you must also possess the basic skills to do the job well. For example, you will need to be able to set up as many as 10-15 tents on your own. You are expected to assist in loading and unloading large pieces of luggage on a daily basis. You’ll haul water and firewood, and help with other general tasks as assigned. You’ll be responsible for assisting the camp chef, doing dishes and helping to maintain a clean camp at all times. You’ll maintain Backroads’ inventory of camping equipment in excellent condition. You’ll often have free time in which you will be on your own, and expected to “disappear” from the group activities and entertain yourself when not working. You’ll work with different Trip Leaders every week and will need to be flexible as you adapt to each leader’s working style as an integral support team member.
Schedules/Quantity of Work
The Camp Assistant schedules available in 2008 in the U.S. are: Denali, Yosemite, Glacier, Yellowstone/Tetons, Acadia and Bryce/Zion/Grand Canyon National Parks, California Redwoods, and the San Juan Islands. The Camp Assistant schedules available in Canada are in Prince Edward Island, Banff and Jasper National Parks.
We expect first year Camp Assistants this year to work an average of 30-50 field days during the 2008 season, depending on the date of hire. We generally give Camp Assistants 60-90 days notice regarding which trips they will be working. However, due to the complexities of scheduling trips and potential trip cancellations, trip assignments may change during the season. The first schedule that a Camp Assistant receives may be with as little as 5-30 days notice.
Although Backroads runs trips all over the world during the entire year, the majority of our trips take place during June-August. You must be able to work trips during this peak summer season. There is some additional work available in May and September. Any days that you are not available in June-August must be requested in advance and cannot be guaranteed until approved by our Scheduling Team.
Individual schedules will be assigned after you have completed the training process. Schedules will begin, in most cases, within 1-3 weeks after finishing Utah/Canmore training. Specific schedules will vary and may include biking, walking, or multisport trips, for groups of families, solos, or couples.
Backroads does not expect Camp Assistants to reside near our home offices in Utah or Canmore. However, CA’s are responsible for getting themselves to the home office before their schedule begins, and Backroads will then pay for travel to their trip destination.
Pay and Allowances
Camp Assistants receive a competitive daily rate of pay plus a $500 bonus upon completion of their season. While working trips, all lodging, meals, and transportation to and from trips are provided by Backroads. Many of our regions have “Leader Houses” that are available to Camp Assistants free of charge between trips.
Backroads also offers “pro-deals” to Camp Assistants - generous discounts with brand-name equipment and clothing companies.
THE 2008 HIRING AND TRAINING PROCESS
Application
Once you have read the Job Description above and the information below, and you feel your skills match our qualifications, go to the Camp Assistant Application to start the application process.
Interview
After we review your application, we will contact you via email or phone to let you know the next steps. We may follow-up with a few questions to learn more about your skills and experiences that relate to the Camp Assistant position. This phone interview may last 10-20 minutes. We will begin phone interviews as early as March. Based on phone interviews and references, the most qualified prospective Camp Assistants will be invited to an in-person interview at our Berkeley, Salt Lake City or Canmore office.
Training
If hired, new Camp Assistants will be required to attend one of the following training blocks in Salt Lake City, Utah or Canmore, Alberta. More detailed information on the training schedule will be available for you should you be offered a position. The training dates are in May and June—exact dates are:
Block 1: May 4th - May 9th, Salt Lake City, UT
Block 2a: May 25th - May 30th, Salt Lake City, UT
Block 2b: June 8th - June 13th, Canmore, Alberta
Block 3: June 15th - June 20th, Salt Lake City, UT
We hope that the information we have provided gives you an understanding of the Camp Assistant Position and has allowed you to evaluate if it would be the right fit for you. We look forward to addressing any additional questions that you might have during the hiring process.
“The reason I continue to come back to Backroads are your leaders. They are engaging, bright and competent. While ensuring a memorable adventure for the group, their attention to detail and anticipation of individual needs are what elevate them beyond what is expected. They are your greatest asset.”
—Carmel Mitchell
South Boston, MA
