Expedition Leader (Multiple Destinations) - Ongoing Recruitment

STATUS: Ongoing Recruitment for Future Opportunities

We will keep your application on file for future openings. After confirming that we've received your application, we will only contact you if a relevant opportunity becomes available, your experience appears to match its requirements, or we need more information to evaluate your application. Please do not submit another application to this posting unless there has been a significant change to your experience, qualifications, or availability.

Natural Habitat Adventures accepts applications year-round from experienced guides and subject-matter experts interested in leading our small-group, multi-day trips. 

Our Expedition Leaders play a central role in the guest experience. They are professional guides, educators, hosts, problem-solvers, and ambassadors for Natural Habitat Adventures. They lead safe, seamless, and meaningful multi-day journeys while creating a welcoming, inclusive group environment and providing attentive, personalized service.

We offer two different types of Expedition Leader opportunities:

• Nature Journey and Earthwatch Expedition Leaders — These are skilled naturalists who bring destinations to life through engaging, science-based interpretation of regional wildlife, ecology, habitats, geology, conservation, and the natural world. They foster curiosity, appreciation, and stewardship through safe, ethical wildlife viewing and thoughtful field education.
• Cultural Journey Expedition Leaders — These are knowledgeable cultural interpreters who help guests meaningfully engage with the people and places they visit. Through accurate, research-based storytelling, they provide insight into regional history, heritage, traditions, communities, cultural practices, contemporary life, and the relationship between people, place, and identity.

While subject-matter expertise differs by journey type, all Expedition Leaders share a commitment to exceptional guest service, safety, responsible travel, ongoing learning, and helping guests form a deeper connection with the places they visit.

Location Requirements

To support local communities and provide guests with authentic destination-specific knowledge and perspectives, we prioritize hiring Expedition Leaders who live in the regions where we operate.

Some opportunities require local residence and legal authorization to work in the destination. Applicants must meet these requirements to be considered.

Responsibilities

Interpretation & Education

• Deliver engaging, accurate, research-based interpretation that aligns with the published guest itinerary and is tailored to each group’s interests, knowledge level, and field conditions. For research-focused expeditions, help guests understand project objectives and facilitate meaningful engagement with researchers and research activities.
• Lead formal presentations and informal field learning that go beyond introductory-level information.
• For Nature Journeys, spot wildlife and facilitate safe, ethical and memorable wildlife-viewing experiences.
• Continue building destination knowledge and staying current with relevant developments in natural history, conservation, cultural heritage and regional affairs.

Guest Experience

• Lead exceptional guest experiences while creating a welcoming, inclusive and cohesive group environment.
• Provide attentive, personalized service by anticipating and adapting to individual guest interests, needs and abilities.
• Support guest preparedness and well-being, and communicate daily logistics, safety information, trip expectations and changes clearly and professionally.
• Facilitate meaningful, respectful connections between guests, local communities, guides, partners and destinations.

Operations & Leadership

• Prepare for and lead the day-to-day execution of each trip, coordinating logistics, transportation, accommodations, meals and itinerary adjustments as needed.
  
• Work collaboratively and respectfully with co-Expedition Leaders, fellow Field Team members, Nat Hab office staff, local partners and operators to ensure smooth trip operations.
• Maintain clear, timely, and professional communication before, during, and after assignments, and accurately complete required trip reports, incident documentation, and other administrative tasks as needed.

Safety, Problem Solving & Stewardship

• Prioritize guest safety through proactive risk management, sound judgment and calm decision-making in changing conditions, while following applicable safety procedures and emergency response protocols, including appropriate incident management and reporting.
• Anticipate and resolve operational and guest-related challenges, including complex group dynamics and unexpected circumstances.
• Represent Natural Habitat Adventures’ standards and values by upholding company policies, Leave No Trace principles, and environmentally and culturally responsible travel practices, while treating local communities, cultural sites, wildlife, and natural environments with respect and care.

Qualifications

Experience & Education

• Applicants must have one or more of the following:
  • At least 5 years of professional experience leading multi-day, small-group tours;
  • A bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field, such as:
    • Nature Journeys or Earthwatch Expeditions: natural sciences, biology, ecology, wildlife biology, environmental science, conservation, geology, outdoor education or related fields;
    • Cultural Journeys: cultural heritage, history, archaeology, anthropology, tourism, area studies, museum or heritage interpretation or related fields; or
  • An equivalent combination of relevant education and professional guiding experience.
    
• Deep knowledge of and passion for the itinerary or itineraries for which you are applying.
• Professional guiding experience in the specific areas outlined in the itinerary or itineraries for which you are applying is strongly preferred.
• Strong teaching, interpretation, public speaking, storytelling, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex subjects clearly and engagingly.
• Excellent guest service, communication, group-management, and problem-solving skills.
• Professional, proactive, organized, adaptable, and collaborative, with sound judgment and the ability to make independent decisions under pressure.
• Relevant professional field research experience or experience supporting scientific research projects is preferred.
• Fluent English is required. Additional destination-relevant language fluency may be required for some opportunities.
• Photography knowledge and experience providing professional photography instruction are preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Able to work long hours for multiple consecutive days in physically and mentally demanding travel and field environments.
• Able to comfortably and reliably meet the physical requirements of the specific itinerary or itineraries for which you are applying.

Required Credentials & Certifications

Before their first scheduled trip, Expedition Leaders must hold the following current credentials:

• Wilderness First Aid certification, or an equivalent locally recognized outdoor first aid course with at least 16 instructional hours
• CPR certification
• Any licenses, permits, certifications, or accreditations required by local law, the applicable operator, or the specific destination

Unless otherwise specified, Expedition Leaders are responsible for scheduling, completing, and covering the cost of required training and certifications.

Scheduling & Availability

Schedules vary by destination, trip dates, and operational needs. This is not necessarily a full-season or full-time role.

Applicants should expect long days during trips and time off between trips. Preference may be given to applicants who are flexible throughout the operating season and available to lead multiple departures.

Shared accommodations with a co-Expedition Leader, other Field Team member or Nat Hab office staff may be required based on operational needs.

Compensation & Support

This is an independent contractor role. Expedition Leaders are paid for individual trips and are not employed in a full-time position.

Compensation structure and daily rate vary by destination, experience level, and operating partner and will be communicated for each specific opportunity. Guest gratuities are customary on all itineraries but are never guaranteed.

Nat Hab typically provides required transportation, lodging, and meals while on assignment, as well as branded gear. 

Additional compensation may be available for selected Photo Expedition Leaders, as well as for approved visual-media contributions. Additional support includes learning stipends, gear discounts, and travel discounts.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

Natural Habitat Adventures is a growing company that welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds. We seek to foster and maintain a welcoming, inclusive and high-performing culture in our office and in the field. Even if you don’t have experience in the travel sector, we invite you to show us how you can help Nat Hab become an even stronger company.

Disclaimer Statement

This job description is intended only to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an incumbent in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills or abilities required of persons so classified or assigned. 

Before You Apply

Before submitting your application, please review the relevant itinerary or itineraries on Natural Habitat Adventures' website. Be sure you understand the trip experience, physical requirements, operating season, trip dates, and expectations of the Expedition Leader role.

Please submit all application materials in English.