Naturalist Guide

Yellowstone Wild Tours is currently hiring a full-time seasonal (May 1st through mid-October) Naturalist Guide. 

Our team specializes in crafting personalized, hands-on, and inquiry-based experiences with Yellowstone’s wildlife, geology, and cultural and natural history. Successful guides are proven lifelong learners, personable, energetic, and hold an ongoing curiosity for the natural world. A passion for sharing knowledge and experiences with clients of all ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and lifestyles is a requirement.

Our team works closely to produce the highest quality tour experiences for our guests. We offer educational opportunities including top-notch wildlife and geology excursions as well as interactive, wilderness-based field explorations ranging from nature walks to backpacking. We are professionals at every level who enjoy challenging one another to keep growing as naturalists and educators.  Our company culture is based on respect, open and constructive communication and feedback, personal accountability, work-life balance, and a deep commitment to ongoing professional development. We love what we do and we love working together to consistently offer the best personalized experiences for our clients.

Applicants must have at least one year’s experience as a guide, tour leader, camp counselor, and/or outdoor educator in addition to having a personal familiarity with the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem or similar. Candidates with a working knowledge of the flora, fauna, natural and cultural history, and current issues in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem will be given preference.  Please review the “Duties & Responsibilities” and “Skills & Knowledge” sections below to view the full scope of the position and the required certifications, licensing, and basic expectations.

• Extensive training provided.  

• Season begins May 1st with two to three weeks of training before leading solo tours. Season runs through mid-October 2025 (based on business levels an earlier end date may be possible).

• A typical work week includes four days on and three days off (may not be consecutive) with the occasional five-day work week based on business needs.  

• Must be willing and able to work any day of the week.

• Rate of pay ranges from $275.00-$425.00/day (based on tour type) plus gratuities, with the opportunity for a monthly bonus.

• Shared employee housing that includes Wi-Fi may be available for rent. No pets allowed in employee housing

If interested, please email a resume (with at least two references), and cover letter as separate attachments  to: info@yellowstonewildtours.com  Attn: Tyrene Riedl, General Manager.

Yellowstone Wild, LLC

Naturalist Guide: Reports directly to Owners/Operators and General Manager(s):

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide a knowledgeable, educational, enjoyable, and interactive experience for clients of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs

• Ability to honor, and practice through action over the course of the tour day, a commitment to the Yellowstone Wild Mission & Vision 

• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of Yellowstone National Park’s (and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem) natural, cultural, and geologic history

• Represent Yellowstone Wild in a professional, positive, and ethical manner in the field 

• Be able and willing to learn, retain, and accurately share with clients, park information/content covered in pre-season training, personal studies, and co-guiding opportunities

• Contribute at least one blog/trip report/photographic story/etc per season to be posted on the Yellowstone Wild website Blog or Trip Report page

• Be familiar with and apply basic models of interpretation in the field of Naturalist Guiding

• Remain up to date on relevant scientific, cultural, and historic discoveries related to the GYE

• Maintain a fair and balanced knowledge base of controversial issues surrounding Yellowstone’s wildlife, winter use, unlimited visitor access, and other potentially sensitive topics

• Be willing and able to deliver a thematic, relevant, interactive tour that maximizes activity away from the road/vehicle whenever possible based on client abilities/interests

• Include elements of fundamental outdoor education practices on tours

• Contact clients at least 24 hours in advance to confirm trip details 

• Report to work on time, well rested, and in attire suitable for scheduled tour (8 hours “bottle to throttle”)

• Safe and proper operation of company vehicles ranging from 6 passenger SUVs to 10 passenger Transit vans in all weather conditions

• Notify manager on duty immediately if unable to take a scheduled trip (i.e., any illness, family emergency, unforeseen travel delay, etc.)

• Remain positive, patient, and professional in all aspects of the job, in the field and at the Yellowstone Wild shop, including during periods of inclement weather, construction, high volume work weeks, and overwhelming crowds during peak seasons

• Maintain all Yellowstone Wild equipment (vehicles, assigned binoculars, vehicle optics) and shared workspaces respectfully and with minimal impact.  “Leave it cleaner than you found it.” 

• Ensure optics and all client personal items are accounted for before leaving guests

• Ensure optics are cleaned and ready for next tour before leaving for day

• Complete Vehicle Inspection Reports (VIR), timesheets for hourly work, and other digital forms entirely and submit before the end of every tour day

• Perform daily service on vehicle and equipment such as refueling, cleaning optics, and reporting any issues to management immediately

• Clean tour vehicle at the END of every day including windows (in and out), trash, vacuum/sweep, power wash (if needed), resupply with clean microfiber cloths (if needed)

• Restock all food/beverage items as outlined in training and in YW Expectations document

• Maintain good communication with management staff regarding all aspects of the operation including scheduling issues, guest concerns, vehicle and equipment needs, and other areas needing attention

• Attend Yellowstone Wild trainings, team meetings, and learning and development sessions

• Other duties as assigned

Skills & Knowledge:

• Must be at least 21 years of age and possess a valid Driver’s License (DOT requirement)

• Must be willing and able to start and end each tour day at the Yellowstone Wild, LLC base of operations at 438 Highway 89 S, Gardiner, MT 59030 

• Must possess current 1st Aid/CPR certifications (if leading Backpacking Trips, a WFA/WFR is required) prior to employment

• Must be able to pass a DOT physical

• Must be ServSafe certified or willing to become certified prior to employment

• Must be physically able to work 8~12 hours/day in all weather conditions, covering up to 5 miles/day on and off trail up to 5 consecutive days each week

• Must be willing and able to work occasional extra shifts based on business needs 

• Must be physically able to lift up to 40lbs on occasion and be able to bend and/or squat repeatedly to set up/take down spotting scopes for guests

• Comfortable driving large vehicles on park and forest service roads in ALL weather conditions

• Ability to listen to understand client interests in order to offer a fully customized, personalized tour experience

• Able to communicate effectively with clients of all ages/backgrounds/beliefs/interests AND remain flexible in content delivered to include these items based on the client’s feedback (e.g., creationists may not appreciate geologic dates, some people may show no interest in cultural or park history, etc.)

• Must be willing and able to lead clients away from the roads for short nature walks, longer hikes, exploratory excursions, etc, whenever guests physical abilities allow

• Ability and willingness to collaborate with the Yellowstone Wild team to maintain an efficiently run organization

• Desire to participate in ongoing training opportunities as they arise

• Willingness to continue furthering knowledge base of Yellowstone and the GYE including new scientific findings related to common park topics, controversial issues, park management, and other areas of client interest

• Good reading and comprehension skills to research and maintain the most current and relevant park information

• Willingness and desire to put in hours outside of paid time to deepen understanding of Yellowstone, and the GYE 

• Demonstrate initiative in learning and implementing effective methods of delivering content according to best interpretive and educational standards

• Must be a team player and willing to assist colleagues as needed in the field and at the YW base of operations

• Knowledge of National Park Service Rules & Regulations and ability to professionally enforce them

• Ability to assess client physical abilities and preparedness to determine safest options for an enjoyable tour day (i.e., road based, hiking options, exposure to elements, etc.)