If you are ready to integrate cultural insight and sensitivity into environmental conservation and mentorship, this is the role for you.

About the position

The Grand Canyon Trust seeks a passionate, positive, and detail-oriented individual to help lead trips for young leaders and volunteers across the Colorado Plateau. Projects range from one to nine days in length, on weekdays and weekends. This job requires long hours in the field, camping for days at a time, and maintaining a positive presence among participants. You will co-lead trips with Grand Canyon Trust staff and typically be joined by community, tribal, or federal agency partners.

About 70% of your time will be with the Rising Leaders Program, which provides opportunities for young people ages 15-30 to build leadership, advocacy, and professional skills. You’ll work on these projects:

• Regional Intertribal, Intergenerational Stewardship Expedition (RIISE): This Colorado River trip is designed to connect Indigenous youth with cultural knowledge holders of tribes who call the Grand Canyon home. Native participants and knowledge holders discuss the Grand Canyon through storytelling, historical context, and ecological awareness. TRIP DATES: July 20 – July 28, 2025
• LeaderShift: This field-based leadership training takes young people across the Colorado Plateau to build change-making and advocacy skills. Participants learn about the legacy of energy extraction, its impact on local communities, and paths toward just and equitable futures. TRIP DATES: August 9 – August 17, 2025
• Seeds & Stories: These workshops connect high school students to traditional agriculture. Young people assist Native farmers, ranchers, and land stewards with food sovereignty projects that center Indigenous food traditions. TRIP DATES: TBD

About 30% of your time will be with the Volunteer Program, which runs stewardship and restoration projects throughout the field season (April-October). Projects may include fence building, stream restoration, pulling weeds, and more. To get an idea of the projects you might work on, please check out past projects.

What does this position entail?

• Ensure the safety and well-being of trip participants.
• Lead all aspects of trip implementation: review menu, shop for food, pack gear, manage risk, engage with trip participants, share knowledge, cleanup gear, debrief with Trust staff, and report accomplishments.
• Educate trip participants on the Trust’s mission, values, and projects.
• Engage participants one-on-one and in group settings through discussion, activities, and workshops to share knowledge and facilitate reflection.
• Participate in data collection and restoration projects, serving as a role model for excellent work ethic and inclusivity.
• Demonstrate outstanding people skills, including the ability to read social cues and support positive group dynamics.
• Maintain a level head throughout inclement weather, difficult situations, and interactions with participants.
• Drive a four-wheel-drive truck responsibly on all types of road conditions, including on poorly maintained, sandy, and very rough roads.

What might you learn along the way?

• You will learn about local ecology, research, culture, lawsuits, and policies relevant to our work at the Grand Canyon Trust.
• You will polish your outdoor trip leading skills with a supportive team.
• You will gain skills in data collection and restoration techniques and be an integral part of a regional nonprofit focused on environmental advocacy.
• You will build a network of fellow environmental conservationists with shared values of stewardship and volunteerism.

Do you have what it takes?

• Experience with or significant connection to Indigenous communities of the Colorado Plateau.
• Current Wilderness First Aid certification (or higher) or ability to complete the certification prior to leading trips.
• Current food handler certification or ability to complete the certification prior to leading trips.
• In-depth knowledge of river trip kitchen and groover (toilet) systems.
• Experience managing risk for groups in wilderness settings.
• Experience working with diverse participants who have varying cultural backgrounds, physical abilities, and skill levels.
• Excellent customer service, hospitality, and communication skills.
• Ability to anticipate, troubleshoot, and solve challenging problems when and if they arise.
• Willingness to stay energized and positive and take on your fair share of less glamorous tasks (i.e. cleaning gear and taking down the groover).
• Ability to work in areas without cell service or access to other forms of electronic communication.
• Knowledge of or a strong desire to learn about environmental issues on the Colorado Plateau.
• Commitment to lead with humility when entering communities and working with diverse cultures.
• Willingness to maintain gear appropriately to ensure it lasts.
• Be in strong physical condition with the ability to: walk on uneven, off-trail terrain; carry 20-30 pounds, and hike long distances (up to 10 miles a day).

Note that experience includes lived experience, traditional knowledge, volunteer experience, school or coursework, work experience, and other related qualifications, skills, and experience.

No candidate will meet every requirement. If you’re excited about the position and think you may be a good candidate, we encourage you to apply.

Location

Flagstaff, Arizona

Compensation and benefits

$23.00 per hour. This is not a benefits-eligible position, but interns accrue sick leave during their internships (about two days), and receive a $500 housing stipend, $250 travel allowance, and $200 professional development stipend.

Employment term

Anticipated timeframe: March 24, 2025 – November 10, 2025. The intern will work primarily during trips, with a day on each end to pack and unpack gear. There will be several weeks of training in late March or early April, including an overnight training trip.

Supplies needed

Clothing that is appropriate for field settings and all personal camping and hiking gear. The Trust can provide some camping gear upon request.

Travel will be required. You will need to drive Trust-owned or rental vehicles, so you must be at least 20 years old with a driver’s license, personal car insurance, and a clean driving record.

Who would my supervisor be?

Danya Gorel, Rising Leaders manager

Grand Canyon Trust internships are managed by the Rising Leaders Program. Interns are expected to communicate regularly with Rising Leaders staff about progress and any support needed along the way.